Introduction We tested the hypotheses (a) that the left hand is consistently better for spatial tasks in touch, and (b) that added reference information increases the accuracy of spatial coding. Superior performance with the left hand by right-handed people is often regarded as evidence for spatial coding. The belief derives from neuropsychological findings, which show that the right cerebral hemisphere is more specialised for spatial processing, the left for language skills, and that each hemisphere processes inputs predominantly from the opposite side of the body, also for touch (Rains and Milner 1994). In principle, hand differences could thus be useful behavioural tests of asymmetric cerebral functions in investigating theoretical, clinical, or practical questions (Kimura 1973; Martin 1979). However, there are discrepancies in findings on hand effects in spatial tasks. These are difficult to interpret without circularity, unless spatial coding is specified by explicit criteria that are independent of hand and task outcomes. The independent criterion for spatial coding here is the use of reference information. The hypothesis that the left hand is consistently better for spatial tasks was tested with distance and location tasks in a tactile map. The influence of movements was assessed additionally in the location task by using a longer route for recall. The reference hypothesis was then tested by instructions to use external and body-centred cues for reference to the targets scanned by either hand in the distance and location tasks.