Math

Direction of the Vector Calculator

Find the direction angle of a 2D vector.

Parameters Live Compute
Calculated Output
Direction (°) 53.13
Magnitude 5
Formula: θ = atan2(y, x)
Step-by-Step Breakdown
1. Values used:
2. x component = 3
3. y component = 4
4.
5. Direction = 53.13°
6. Magnitude = 5
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The direction of a vector is the angle it makes with the positive x-axis.

The math behind it

θ = atan2(y, x), reported from 0° to 360° measured counter-clockwise from the positive x-axis.

Worked Example

Vector (3, 4) → direction ≈ 53.13°, magnitude 5.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why use atan2 instead of atan?

atan2 uses both components to give the correct quadrant for the angle.

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