What is the Qibla direction
The Qibla is the direction Muslims face during prayer, pointing toward the Kaaba in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. This tool calculates that direction as a compass bearing — degrees measured clockwise from true north — based on your current latitude and longitude.
Why the shortest path isn't a straight line on a flat map
Because the Earth is a sphere, the shortest route between two points is a "great-circle" path, which often looks curved on a flat map projection. This calculator uses great-circle bearing math, so the direction it gives you is the true shortest-path direction to the Kaaba from your location — not the direction you'd get by drawing a straight line on a standard world map.
Using the direction with a compass
- Use a reliable compass app or physical compass, and be aware that phone compasses can be thrown off by nearby metal or magnets
- Most compass apps show magnetic north, which differs slightly from true north depending on your location — this calculator uses true north
- You can cross-check your direction against the sun's position at solar noon in Makkah as a sanity check if unsure
Frequently asked questions
Why does my phone's compass sometimes disagree slightly?
Phone compasses measure magnetic north, which is offset from true north by an amount that varies by location (called magnetic declination). Some compass apps correct for this automatically and some don't.
Is this calculation accurate everywhere on Earth?
Yes — the great-circle bearing formula used here works correctly for any location worldwide, unlike a flat-map straight line, which becomes increasingly inaccurate the farther you are from Makkah.