Manhattan North is a colloquially term used in New York City, in particular on the island of Manhattan, to unambiguously indicate the direction towards increasing numbers of streets on the city grid plan, which follows the broad north-south outline of the island itself.

Since the long axis of island is an at angle relative to true north, Manhattan North actually indicates a direction approximately 27 degrees East of North.

Manhattan North is often the direction of orientation for maps of the area, particularly the standard New York City Subway map, which creates the false impression even among some New Yorkers that Manhattan actually lies on a north-south axis.

See also

• Commissioners' Plan of 1811