How to Find Qibla Direction: 5 Methods That Actually Work

What is Qibla and Why Direction Matters

Qibla (Arabic: قِبْلَة) is the direction that Muslims face during prayer (salah). It points toward the Kaaba in the Sacred Mosque (Masjid al-Haram) in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Facing the Qibla is a requirement for the validity of prayer. Allah commands in the Quran:

“Turn your face toward the Sacred Mosque. And wherever you are, turn your faces toward it.” (Quran 2:144)

This guide covers 5 reliable methods to find Qibla direction from anywhere in the world.

---

Method 1: Use Our Free Qibla Finder Tool (Easiest)

The fastest and most accurate way to find Qibla is using our Prayer Rug Aligner Tool.

How it works:

1. Open the tool and allow location access
2. Your GPS coordinates are used to calculate the exact Qibla bearing
3. See the direction on an interactive map with a line from your location to the Kaaba
4. Use the built-in compass for real-time alignment
5. Print a marker for permanent reference

Why this method is best:

• Great circle calculation - the same method used by navigation systems
• GPS accuracy - precise to your exact location
• Visual confirmation - see the path to Makkah on a map
• Works anywhere - indoors, outdoors, any country
• Free & private - no app download, no data stored

Open the Qibla Finder Tool →

---

Method 2: Using a Phone Compass App

Most smartphones have built-in compass functionality that can help find Qibla.

Steps:

1. Download a Qibla app (Muslim Pro, Qibla Connect, etc.) OR use your phone’s compass
2. If using a regular compass app, you’ll need your city’s Qibla angle
3. Calibrate your phone by moving it in a figure-8 pattern
4. Hold the phone flat and level
5. Turn your body until the compass shows the correct bearing

Qibla angles for major cities:

City	Qibla Direction	Compass Bearing
New York, USA	Northeast	58°
Los Angeles, USA	Northeast	23°
London, UK	Southeast	119°
Sydney, Australia	Northwest	277°
Toronto, Canada	Northeast	54°
Chicago, USA	Northeast	49°
Houston, USA	Northeast	48°
Dubai, UAE	Southwest	255°
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia	West	293°
Jakarta, Indonesia	Northwest	295°

Tips for phone compass accuracy:

• Calibrate before each use
• Keep away from metal objects and electronics
• Hold phone flat, not tilted
• Stand away from cars and large metal structures
• Indoor readings may be less accurate

---

Method 3: Using a Physical Qibla Compass

Traditional Qibla compasses are specifically designed for finding prayer direction.

Types of Qibla compasses:

Basic Qibla compass: Shows north like a regular compass, with a rotating dial to set your city’s Qibla angle.

Pre-set Qibla compass: Has city names marked around the dial - just point the compass arrow to your city.

Watch-style Qibla compass: Wearable compass for travelers.

How to use:

1. Hold the compass level and steady
2. Let the needle settle pointing north
3. Rotate the dial to align your city’s Qibla angle
4. The Qibla indicator now points toward Makkah
5. Turn your body to face that direction

Important: Magnetic Declination

Compasses point to magnetic north, not true north. The difference (called magnetic declination) varies by location:

• USA East Coast: 10-15° west declination
• USA West Coast: 10-15° east declination
• UK: 0-3° west declination
• Australia: 5-15° east declination

For precise Qibla, you should account for this difference. Our online tool handles this automatically.

---

Method 4: Using the Sun (Shadow Method)

This traditional method works without any tools.

At Solar Noon:

Solar noon is when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky (not 12:00 PM clock time). At this moment:

• In the Northern Hemisphere: Your shadow points north (or nearly north)
• In the Southern Hemisphere: Your shadow points south (or nearly south)

Steps:

1. Find when solar noon occurs in your location (varies by longitude and time of year)
2. At solar noon, stand outside and observe your shadow
3. Your shadow indicates the north-south line
4. Use this reference to calculate Qibla based on your city’s angle

Alternative: Sun position at known times

In many locations, you can observe:

• Where the sun rises (approximately east)
• Where the sun sets (approximately west)

Use these reference points to estimate Qibla direction.

Limitations:

• Only works outdoors with sunlight
• Requires knowing solar noon time
• Less precise than GPS methods
• Shadows are short near the equator at noon

---

Method 5: Using Stars at Night

Before modern technology, travelers used celestial navigation to find Qibla.

In the Northern Hemisphere:

Find Polaris (North Star):

1. Locate the Big Dipper (Ursa Major) constellation
2. Draw a line through the two stars at the end of the “cup”
3. Extend this line about 5x the distance between those stars
4. You’ll reach Polaris - this is true north
5. From north, apply your city’s Qibla angle

In the Southern Hemisphere:

Use the Southern Cross:

1. Find the Southern Cross (Crux) constellation
2. Extend the long axis of the cross about 4.5x its length
3. This points approximately to the South Celestial Pole
4. From south, calculate your Qibla angle

Limitations:

• Only works on clear nights
• Light pollution makes stars hard to see
• Requires constellation knowledge
• Less practical than modern methods

---

Understanding Great Circle Calculation

Our tool and accurate Qibla finders use great circle calculation. Here’s why it matters:

The problem with flat maps:

When you look at a flat world map, Makkah appears to be in a certain direction from your location. But flat maps distort reality because Earth is spherical.

The great circle solution:

A great circle is the shortest path between two points on a sphere. If you stretched a string on a globe from your location to Makkah, it would follow a great circle route.

Example: From New York City:

• On a flat map, Makkah appears to be southeast
• The actual shortest path (great circle) goes northeast over the Atlantic Ocean and Europe

This is why many Muslims in North America face northeast for prayer - it’s the correct great circle direction to Makkah.

---

Qibla While Traveling

On a plane:

• Face the direction of Makkah at the start of prayer
• Adjust if the plane changes direction significantly
• Some airlines have Qibla indicators in their entertainment systems
• If unsure, make your best estimate - sincerity is what counts

On a train or bus:

• Determine Qibla before the journey if possible
• Face Qibla when you begin praying
• Small movements of the vehicle don’t invalidate prayer
• If direction changes significantly, adjust if possible

In a new city:

• Use our online tool for instant accuracy
• Ask at the local mosque
• Check the Qibla direction in hotel prayer rooms
• Use any of the 5 methods described above

In the wilderness:

• Use sun/star methods described above
• If you have phone signal, use an online tool
• Download Qibla angle for your destination before losing signal
• Make your best estimate if methods fail - your prayer is valid

---

Common Mistakes When Finding Qibla

Mistake 1: Using flat map directions

Flat maps distort directions over long distances. Great circle calculation is more accurate.

Mistake 2: Ignoring magnetic declination

Compasses point to magnetic north, not true north. In some locations, this difference is significant.

Mistake 3: Not calibrating phone compass

Phone compasses need calibration (figure-8 motion) before use, especially if you’ve moved to a new location.

Mistake 4: Facing a “general direction”

While exact precision isn’t required, you should make reasonable effort using the best method available to you.

Mistake 5: Not checking periodically

Qibla direction in your home is fixed, but when traveling or in new locations, always verify.

---

What If I Prayed the Wrong Direction?

This is a common concern, especially for converts or travelers.

Islamic ruling:

If you made sincere effort: Your prayer is valid. Allah judges by intention and effort.

If you were negligent: Scholars differ, but the majority say past prayers are still valid if you didn’t know. Going forward, use accurate methods.

The principle: Islam emphasizes sincerity and reasonable effort, not perfection in matters beyond human control.

The Prophet (ﷺ) said about a man who prayed toward a direction he thought was Qibla: “Your prayer is valid.” (Related hadiths in various collections)

---

Setting Up Qibla in Your Home

Once you determine Qibla direction for your home, you don’t need to recalculate each time.

Permanent markers:

1. Use our Prayer Rug Aligner to get exact direction
2. Mark the direction with tape on the floor or a small marker on the wall
3. Align your prayer rug to this marker each time
4. You can also use our printable Qibla marker feature

For family members:

Show everyone in the household the Qibla direction so all prayers are aligned correctly.

---

Tools and Resources

Free online tools:

• MakkahCompass Prayer Rug Aligner - GPS-accurate, visual map, printable markers

Mobile apps (third-party):

• Muslim Pro (iOS/Android)
• Qibla Connect (iOS/Android)
• Qibla Finder by Google (search “Qibla” in Google)

Physical tools:

• Qibla compass (available at Islamic stores)
• Prayer rug with built-in compass
• Qibla watch

---

Summary

Finding Qibla direction is straightforward with modern tools. Here’s the hierarchy of methods:

1. Online Qibla tool (most accurate, instant)
2. Phone Qibla app (convenient, reasonably accurate)
3. Physical Qibla compass (no battery needed, good for travel)
4. Sun shadow method (traditional, works outdoors)
5. Star navigation (traditional, works at night)

For the easiest and most accurate Qibla direction:

Use Our Free Prayer Rug Aligner Tool →

---

Related Guides

• Prayer Rug Aligner Tool - Find your exact Qibla direction
• Ghusl Checklist - Ensure you’re purified before prayer
• Islamic Midnight Calculator - Calculate night prayer times

---

May Allah accept your prayers and guide you to face His Sacred House. Ameen.