Qibla Direction Finder
Find the accurate Qibla direction from your location using our live compass and map. Distance to Kaaba, bearing, and prayer times — all in one place.
Qibla Direction by City
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What is Qibla?
The Qibla (Arabic: قِبْلَة) is the direction that Muslims face during Salah (prayer). It points toward the Masjid al-Haram in Makkah al-Mukarramah, specifically toward the Kaaba — the cube-shaped structure at the centre of the mosque.
Every Muslim worldwide faces this single point during prayer, regardless of distance. From the GCC countries the Qibla is roughly westward. From South-East Asia it is north-westward. From Europe and North America it varies between south-east and north-east depending on exact location.
How is Qibla Calculated?
Our Qibla Finder uses great-circle bearing calculations on the WGS84 ellipsoid — the same standard used by GPS. The bearing is the initial heading of the shortest path along the Earth's surface from your location to the Kaaba (21.4225° N, 39.8262° E), calculated using spherical trigonometry.
The live compass reads your device's magnetometer sensor, applies a 5-sample rolling average to reduce jitter, and compares the device heading against the Qibla bearing. Within 3° of alignment, the compass turns green and the device vibrates to confirm you are facing the correct direction.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is this Qibla Finder?
Extremely accurate. We use geodesic great-circle calculations on WGS84 coordinates — the same standard as GPS. The bearing is accurate to within 0.1°. The precision of the result depends on the accuracy of your GPS position, which is typically within 5–10 metres for modern smartphones.
How does the live compass work?
The live compass uses your device's magnetometer (compass sensor). On iOS 13+, it requires explicit permission which you'll be prompted to grant. On Android, it activates automatically. The app applies a rolling 5-sample average to smooth the sensor readings and reduce jitter. When you face within 3° of the Qibla direction, the compass turns green and your device vibrates (if supported).
Why does my compass need calibration?
Device magnetometers can be affected by nearby metal objects, electronics, or electromagnetic interference. If the compass behaves erratically, move your phone in a figure-8 or ∞ pattern several times. This re-calibrates the sensor by exposing it to Earth's magnetic field from multiple angles. Avoid using the compass near large metal objects, refrigerators, speakers, or laptops.
Can I use this Qibla Finder offline?
The Qibla bearing calculation works entirely in your browser — no server is needed once the page loads. The compass sensor also works offline. Only the map view (OpenStreetMap embed) requires an internet connection. If you have already searched for your city, you can reload the page and use the compass without a connection.
What is the difference between Qibla and True North?
The Qibla bearing is measured clockwise from True North (geographic north, the direction of the North Pole). This is different from Magnetic North, which is what a physical compass points to. There is a small angular difference called "magnetic declination" which varies by location. This tool reports Qibla relative to True North — the correct reference for Islamic prayer direction.
Does Qibla direction change depending on your location?
Yes. Because the Earth is a sphere, the Qibla direction is different from every point on Earth. From the UK it is roughly South-East (~119°). From New York it is North-East (~58°). From Melbourne, Australia it is North-West (~277°). The direction is calculated as the initial bearing of the shortest great-circle path from your location to the Kaaba in Makkah.