Qibla Finder

The Qibla is the direction of the Kaaba in al-Masjid al-Haram in Makkah, which Muslims face when they pray. In the Quran (2:144, Saheeh International): “So turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Haram. And wherever you [believers] are, turn your faces toward it [in prayer].”

It is the direction of the shortest path across the Earth’s surface from your location to the Kaaba (21.4225° N, 39.8262° E), known as the great-circle route. The result is a compass bearing measured clockwise from true north. From London, for example, the Qibla is about 119.0° (ESE).

Flat maps distort distances near the poles, so a straight line drawn on a map is not the shortest route on a globe. The shortest path from the US and Canada to Makkah curves up over the North Atlantic, so from New York the Qibla is about 58.5° (ENE). Stretching a string between the two cities on a globe shows the same route.

This tool gives the bearing from true north (the geographic North Pole). A magnetic compass points to magnetic north, which can differ from true north by a few degrees up to 15° or more depending on where you live. The live compass on your phone reads from the magnetometer, so treat it as a close guide rather than a survey instrument.

Phone compasses are thrown off by nearby metal, magnets, speakers, laptops, and phone cases with magnetic clasps. Move away from these, then calibrate by slowly waving your phone in a figure-eight a few times. If it still disagrees with the degree reading, use the bearing with a landmark or a trusted compass instead.

Twice a year the sun passes directly over the Kaaba: around 27–28 May at about 12:18 Makkah time (09:18 UTC), and around 15–16 July at about 12:27 Makkah time (09:27 UTC). Anywhere the sun is up at that moment, a vertical stick’s shadow points directly away from the Qibla. You can also ask at your local mosque, whose prayer hall is usually aligned with the Qibla.

No. The calculation runs entirely in your browser. Your location is never sent to Quran Loop or anyone else; the last place you used is only remembered on your own device so the page opens with it next time.