Abstract Intrinsic error field on EAST is measured using the ‘compass scan’ technique with different n = 1 magnetic perturbation coil configurations in ohmically heated discharges. The intrinsic error field measured using a non-resonant dominated spectrum with even connection of the upper and lower resonant magnetic perturbation coils is of the order b r 2 , 1 / B T ≃ 10 − 5 and the toroidal phase of intrinsic error field is around 60 ° . A clear difference between the results using the two coil configurations, resonant and non-resonant dominated spectra, is observed. The ‘resonant’ and ‘non-resonant’ terminology is based on vacuum modeling. The penetration thresholds of the non-resonant dominated cases are much smaller than that of the resonant cases. The difference of penetration thresholds between the resonant and non-resonant cases is reduced by plasma response modeling using the MARS-F code.