Qibla Direction Finder
Find the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca from wherever you are. Use your location and your phone's compass, or choose a city.
Qibla bearing · from true north
Turn until the Kaaba lines up with the marker
Distance to the Kaaba: km
How to use the compass
- Press Use my location and allow access, or choose your city from the list.
- On a phone, press Enable compass and hold the phone flat and level.
- Turn until the Kaaba symbol lines up with the marker at the top. The ring lights up and your phone vibrates when you face the Qibla.
- On a computer there is no compass sensor. Use the angle shown with a physical compass or a map.
For the best accuracy
- Keep the phone flat and away from magnets, metal and electronics.
- Move the phone in a figure of eight to calibrate the compass.
- Phone compasses show magnetic north, which can differ a few degrees from true north. For an exact result when it matters, ask a local mosque.
What is the Qibla?
The Qibla is the direction Muslims face when they pray, towards the Kaaba in Mecca. From any place on earth the Qibla is the shortest path (a great circle) to the Kaaba, so it can look surprising on a flat map. From North America, for example, it points north-east.
This tool works out the compass bearing from your location to the Kaaba and shows it as an angle clockwise from true north, together with the distance in kilometres.
Qibla questions
How do I find the Qibla direction?
Use the finder above: allow your location or choose a city, then turn until the Kaaba symbol lines up with the marker. The angle shown is measured clockwise from true north.
Is the Qibla always the shortest path to Mecca?
Yes. The usual method is the shortest great-circle path from your location to the Kaaba, which is what this tool calculates.
Why does my compass point a few degrees differently?
Phone compasses use magnetic north. The difference from true north (magnetic declination) depends on where you are, and metal or magnets nearby can also affect the reading.
Does it work without internet?
The calculation happens in your browser, so once the page has loaded it works without a connection. Your location never leaves your device.
Is my location stored?
No. It is used only in your browser to work out the angle. We do not send it to a server.
Why does the Qibla not point straight east or west?
The Qibla is the shortest path over the curved Earth (a great circle) to the Kaaba, and on a flat map this path looks curved. From Southeast Asia it points north-west, from North America north-east and from Europe south-east.
Is the phone compass reliable inside a building?
Metal, magnets, speakers and electronics bend a compass. Move away from them, hold the phone flat and calibrate it by moving it in a figure-eight. If the needle keeps jumping, use the degrees shown on this page with a trusted compass.
What if I cannot know the direction, for example on a plane?
Pray towards your best judgement of the Qibla after making a sincere effort to find it. Most scholars say that if you did your best and later learn that you were a little off, your prayer is valid.
Does the Qibla direction change during the year?
No. The direction is fixed for each place. Only the way it is measured can differ slightly; this page gives the bearing from true north.
How can I find the Qibla with the sun?
Twice a year, around 27–28 May and 15–16 July, the sun is directly above the Kaaba at about midday in Makkah (roughly 09:18 and 09:27 UTC). At that moment the shadow of an upright object points directly away from the Qibla.
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