Qibla Direction Finder

Find the exact direction of the Kaaba from any location on Earth. Uses spherical trigonometry for precise Qibla bearing, no app download needed.

Free to use. Runs in your browser.

The Qibla is the direction toward the Kaaba in Mecca (21.4225°N, 39.8262°E). From the UK it points roughly south-east; from the US it points north-east. Enter your location for the exact compass bearing.

Your bearing is calculated using spherical trigonometry, accurate anywhere on Earth.

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Don't know your coordinates? Search "my coordinates" on Google Maps.

Not a Fatwa, For Educational Purposes Only: This tool provides estimates based on established Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) and is not a substitute for scholarly guidance. Where schools of thought differ, calculations follow the selected methodology, results may vary between the Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali schools. Consult a qualified Islamic scholar or imam for rulings specific to your circumstances. All calculations are performed in your browser, no personal data is stored or transmitted.

Why Does the Qibla Direction Matter?

Five times a day, roughly 2 billion Muslims around the world face the same point on Earth, the Kaaba in Makkah. It's one of the most striking acts of unity in any religion. The command comes directly from the Quran: "Turn your face towards al-Masjid al-Haram. Wherever you may be, turn your faces towards it" (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:144).

Facing the Qibla is a condition for the validity of prayer in all four schools of Islamic jurisprudence (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali). You don't need to align with surgical precision, a reasonable effort to face the right direction is sufficient, but you do need to make that effort. That's where tools like this come in, especially when you're travelling or in an unfamiliar place.

Qibla Directions from Major Cities

The Qibla bearing varies dramatically depending on where you are. Here are approximate bearings from major cities:

City	Bearing	Cardinal	Distance
London, UK	119.0°	ESE	4,794 km
New York, USA	58.5°	ENE	10,306 km
Istanbul, Turkey	151.6°	SSE	2,405 km
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia	292.5°	WNW	6,974 km
Lagos, Nigeria	63.3°	ENE	4,251 km
Sydney, Australia	277.5°	W	13,236 km
Tokyo, Japan	293.0°	WNW	9,472 km
Toronto, Canada	54.6°	NE	10,496 km

The Maths Behind the Qibla

The Qibla direction is calculated using the great-circle bearing formula from spherical trigonometry. It's the same maths pilots use to plot the shortest flight path between two points on a globe. The formula takes your latitude and longitude, compares them to the Kaaba's coordinates (21.4225°N, 39.8262°E), and produces a bearing in degrees from true north.

This is why the Qibla from London points southeast (~119°) rather than due east. On a flat map, Makkah looks directly east of London. But on a globe, the shortest path curves through southeastern Europe and the Mediterranean. If you've ever seen a flight path from London to Jeddah on an in-flight map, you'll notice it doesn't go straight east, it arcs south through Turkey. That arc is the great circle, and your Qibla direction follows the same starting bearing.

How to use this tool

Tap 'Use My Location' or enter your coordinates manually

Read the Qibla bearing in degrees from true north

Face the indicated direction for prayer

Common uses

Finding prayer direction when travelling
Checking Qibla for a new home or office
Verifying the direction in a hotel room
Setting up a prayer space in an unfamiliar location
Teaching children about the Qibla concept

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Qibla direction?

The Qibla is the direction that Muslims face during prayer (salah). It points towards the Kaaba in Masjid al-Haram in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Facing the Qibla is a requirement for the validity of prayer, as commanded in the Quran: 'Turn your face towards al-Masjid al-Haram. Wherever you may be, turn your faces towards it' (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:144).

How is the Qibla direction calculated?

The Qibla bearing is calculated using spherical trigonometry, specifically the great-circle bearing from your location to the Kaaba (21.4225°N, 39.8262°E). This gives the shortest path on Earth's surface, which is why the Qibla from the UK points roughly southeast (about 119°), not due east as you might expect from a flat map.

Why doesn't the Qibla point east from the UK?

On a flat map (Mercator projection), Makkah appears to be due east of the UK. But Earth is a sphere. The shortest distance between two points on a sphere follows a great circle, not a straight line on a flat map. From London, the great-circle route to Makkah goes southeast at roughly 119°, confirmed by any aircraft flight path from London to Jeddah.

What's the difference between true north and magnetic north?

True north is the geographic North Pole. Magnetic north is where a compass needle points, which shifts over time. In the UK (2024-2026), magnetic declination is roughly 0-1° west, so the difference is small. In other regions it can be significant. This tool calculates bearing from true north.

How accurate is this Qibla finder?

The mathematical calculation is accurate to within fractions of a degree. The main source of error is your GPS coordinates, smartphone GPS is typically accurate to 3-5 metres, which is more than sufficient. Even a few kilometres of error would shift the Qibla by less than 0.1°.

What if I can't determine the exact Qibla?

Scholars across all four schools agree that a reasonable effort to determine the Qibla is sufficient. If you're confident in the general direction, your prayer is valid. The obligation is to face the direction of the Kaaba, not to align with millimetre precision. When travelling and uncertain, scholars advise doing your best with available information.

Can I use this on my phone?

Yes. This tool uses your browser's Geolocation API to detect your position. On most smartphones, tapping 'Use My Location' will provide accurate GPS coordinates. If geolocation isn't available, you can enter your coordinates manually, search 'my coordinates' on Google Maps to find them.

Does the Qibla direction change when I travel?

Yes. The Qibla direction is specific to your location. From London it's roughly 119° (SE), from New York it's roughly 58° (NE), and from Tokyo it's roughly 293° (WNW). Always recalculate when you travel to a new city.

What is the Kaaba?

The Kaaba is a cube-shaped structure in the centre of Masjid al-Haram in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Muslims believe it was originally built by Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son Ismail (peace be upon them). It serves as the focal point for Muslim prayer worldwide, not as an object of worship, but as a unifying direction.

Is my location data stored?

No. Your coordinates are used only in your browser to calculate the bearing. No location data is stored, transmitted, or logged. The calculation is performed entirely client-side using a mathematical formula, no server calls are made.

Results are for general informational purposes only and should be checked before use. They are not professional advice. See our Disclaimer and Terms of Service.