Tools
Qibla Finder
Calculate the direction from your location to the Kaaba (Masjid al-Haram). Real-time compass support is available on mobile devices.
Allow location access to find the qibla direction.
How Is the Qibla Direction Calculated?
The tool uses a spherical calculation to find the initial bearing of the great-circle route from your coordinates to the Kaaba (21.4225°N, 39.8262°E). The bearing is relative to true north, which may differ from magnetic north.
The direction depends on your location: the shortest route from New York initially heads northeast, while the route from London initially heads southeast. Use the calculated bearing for your selected location rather than a general direction for an entire continent.
Note: The calculated direction is measured clockwise from geographic north (0° = north, 90° = east, 180° = south, 270° = west).
How to Use the Qibla Finder Reliably
The Qibla Finder estimates the direction of the Kaaba from your current position. It combines geographic coordinates with the direction information reported by your device. The arrow is a practical aid, not an infallible religious ruling: location accuracy, magnetic interference, sensor calibration, the phone case, and the way the device is held can all affect the reading. A reliable result comes from using the tool correctly and checking an obviously inconsistent result against another trustworthy sign.
What the calculation actually does
The shortest path on the surface of the earth between your location and the Kaaba is calculated from latitude and longitude. This produces a bearing measured clockwise from true north. A device compass then tries to show that bearing in the room around you. The geographic calculation can be correct while the on-screen arrow is unstable because the phone's magnetic sensor is being disturbed. Keeping these two stages separate makes troubleshooting easier.
True north and magnetic north
Maps normally work with true north, while a physical compass reacts to the earth's magnetic field. The difference varies by place and changes slowly over time. Modern phones may compensate for it, but the quality of the correction depends on the operating system, location permission, and sensor data. A small difference between two devices does not automatically mean that one calculation is unusable.
How to calibrate your phone
Move away from metal tables, speakers, laptops, vehicles, magnetic clasps, and cases with strong magnets. Hold the phone flat and follow the calibration movement recommended by the operating system, often a slow figure-eight motion. Reopen the direction view and wait a few seconds before judging the arrow. If it still spins, compare the displayed numeric bearing with an independent compass, reliable map, or known mosque mihrab.
Using the finder without precise location
The most accurate automatic result needs approximate latitude and longitude. If you prefer not to share your location, you can pick your city from the list and still get a useful bearing. The coordinate is used only for the client-side bearing calculation and is never sent to a server or collected for advertising.
How exact does the direction need to be?
A person standing far from the Kaaba faces its general direction after making a reasonable effort to determine it. This tool supports that effort; it does not turn a phone sensor into a source of religious certainty. If several reliable signs agree within a small range, the result is normally usable. A major conflict should be investigated.
A five-step reliability check
Confirm the selected location, remove magnetic accessories, calibrate the compass, compare the numeric bearing with an independent direction reference, and check a trusted local reference when the difference is large. This process is more reliable than trying random websites until one shows the direction you expected.
Privacy and accessibility
The Qibla Finder can still be used when precise location is declined by choosing a city from the list. Direction is easier to verify when the numeric bearing, compass label, and written instructions are considered together. If motion on the screen is distracting, use the static bearing as the main reference.
Religious and practical limits
A digital Qibla Finder is a convenience, not a fatwa service. It cannot inspect the building, magnetic environment, or local circumstances. When serious uncertainty remains, a trusted local mosque or knowledgeable person can provide a stable reference. No tool can honestly claim to be '100% exact on every phone'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the arrow keep moving?
The magnetic sensor may be affected by metal, a magnetic phone case, nearby electronics, or incomplete calibration. Move to a clearer area, calibrate the phone, and check the displayed angle against an independent direction reference.
Why do two phones show slightly different directions?
Different sensors, calibration states, magnetic compensation, and location accuracy can create a small difference. Compare both with a map or known local reference.
Can I use the tool without precise location access?
Yes. You can choose a city from the list; automatic calculation with your approximate coordinates is usually more precise.
Does the website store my location?
The coordinate is used only for the Qibla direction calculation and is not attached to advertising or analytics.
Is the direction guaranteed to be exact?
No consumer phone compass is exact in every environment. The tool gives an estimated bearing and should be checked when the result is visibly inconsistent.
What should I do inside a vehicle or metal building?
Step away from the vehicle or large metal structures where possible, or use the numeric bearing with an independent compass or reliable map instead of relying on the phone sensor.
Can a mosque mihrab be used as a check?
A trusted local mosque is a useful reference. If there is a major conflict, verify the selected location and phone calibration first.