Finding the direction of the Kaaba from anywhere in the world, with or without a compass.
The Qiblah (Arabic: الْقِبْلَةُ) is the direction Muslims face during Salah (prayer). It points toward Al-Ka'bah — the cube-shaped structure at the centre of Masjid al-Haram in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Muslims around the world all face this single point simultaneously, symbolising unity — one community (Ummah), one direction, one God.
Understanding the deeper spiritual meaning behind facing the Qiblah
Facing the Qiblah is a condition (shart) for Salah to be valid. If you pray facing the wrong direction intentionally, the prayer must be repeated. If unaware, scholars accept the prayer.
From New York to Jakarta, every Muslim praying at the same time is physically oriented toward one point. The Qiblah visually represents the single global Muslim community — the Ummah.
Physically turning toward the Ka'bah helps the worshipper mentally leave worldly distractions and enter a state of focus (Khushu') — presence of heart before Allah.
فَوَلِّ وَجْهَكَ شَطْرَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ ۚ وَحَيْثُ مَا كُنتُمْ فَوَلُّوا وُجُوهَكُمْ شَطْرَهُ
From high-tech to simple — here are the most common ways Muslims locate the Qiblah
Enter your city below and get the precise compass bearing toward Makkah instantly. Works for any city worldwide.
Dedicated Islamic compasses have the Qiblah pre-calibrated. Point the needle north, then follow the marked Qiblah arrow for your city.
Apps like Muslim Pro, Athan, or Al-Moazin use your phone's GPS and magnetometer to show the Qiblah direction in real-time using augmented reality.
Every mosque's prayer hall (Musallah) is oriented toward the Qiblah. The Mihrab (niche in the wall) marks the direction. You can observe its angle when outdoors.
Classical scholars used the sun's position at sunrise/sunset and the North Star (Polaris) to determine direction before compasses. Makkah lies roughly east-southeast of Europe and north of southern Africa.
Enter your city or use your current location — we'll show you the exact compass bearing toward Makkah.
The gold needle points toward Makkah. Align with a real compass for accuracy.
The majority of scholars (including the four major schools of thought) agree that facing the general direction of the Ka'bah is sufficient, not the exact geometric point. This means even a few degrees off is completely valid. Only when you are inside Masjid al-Haram must you face the Ka'bah precisely.
A general guide — always use the calculator above for your specific city
e.g. London: 118.5° · Paris: 119.3°
e.g. New York: 58.5° · Toronto: 54°
e.g. Karachi: 272° · Dhaka: 282°
e.g. Jakarta: 295° · Kuala Lumpur: 292°
e.g. Cairo: 136° · Casablanca: 96°
e.g. Lagos: 69° · Dakar: 80°
e.g. Istanbul: 148° · Tehran: 214°
e.g. São Paulo: 52° · Buenos Aires: 46°
Directions are approximate great-circle bearings. Always use the calculator for precision.
In every mosque, a Mihrab (Arabic: الْمِحْرَابُ) is a semi-circular niche in the wall that marks the Qiblah direction. The Imam stands in front of it when leading congregational prayer.
A stylised representation of a mosque Mihrab — the niche that marks the Qiblah
Answers for new Muslims and curious visitors