Prayer Rug Aligner: Find Perfect Qibla Direction for Your Prayer Mat

What is the Prayer Rug Aligner?

The Prayer Rug Aligner is a free, web-based tool that helps Muslims find the exact direction to face during prayer (Qibla). Unlike basic Qibla finders that only show a number, our tool provides:

New to finding Qibla? Read our complete guide: How to Find Qibla Direction: 5 Methods That Work

• Interactive map showing your location and the Kaaba
• Visual alignment guide to position your prayer rug
• Real-time compass using device orientation (when available)
• Printable markers for permanent reference
• Distance calculation to Makkah in kilometers

Why Use This Tool?

100% Free & Open Source

No app downloads, no subscriptions, no ads. Built with open-source technologies (Leaflet.js, OpenStreetMap).

Highly Accurate

Uses great circle calculation (the same method used by navigation systems) to determine the shortest path to Makkah on Earth’s spherical surface.

Works Everywhere

Whether you’re at home, traveling, or in an unfamiliar location, get instant Qibla direction with GPS accuracy.

Visual & Practical

Not just a number – see the direction on a map, use real-time compass feedback, or print a physical marker.

How Great Circle Calculation Works

The Earth is a sphere, so the shortest path between two points is not a straight line on a flat map. The great circle bearing formula calculates the initial compass direction you should face to travel along the shortest route to Makkah.

This is why the Qibla direction may look surprising on flat maps – the spherical calculation accounts for Earth’s curvature.

Privacy & Permissions

Why we need location access:

• The Qibla direction is unique to your location
• GPS coordinates are used only for calculation
• Your location is never stored, logged, or shared
• All processing happens in your browser

Why we request orientation access (optional):

• To provide real-time compass feedback
• Shows which way your device is facing
• Only activated if you choose to enable the compass feature

Technical Details

Kaaba Coordinates: 21.4225°N, 39.8262°E Calculation Method: Great Circle Bearing (using atan2 formula) Map Provider: OpenStreetMap (free, open-source) Libraries: Leaflet.js (BSD-2-Clause license) Accuracy: ±1 degree (depends on GPS precision)

Tips for Best Results

1. Use outdoors or near windows for better GPS accuracy
2. Calibrate your compass by moving device in figure-8 pattern
3. Check for magnetic interference – avoid near electronics or metal
4. Download printable marker for long-term reference
5. Compare with multiple methods if in doubt

Troubleshooting

Location not detected:

• Check browser location permissions in settings
• Ensure location services are enabled on device
• Try refreshing the page
• Use manual city search as alternative

Compass not working:

• Not all devices have orientation sensors
• iOS requires explicit permission – tap “Enable Compass”
• Try calibrating by rotating device
• Use visual guide or printable marker instead

Map not loading:

• Check internet connection (required for map tiles)
• Disable browser extensions blocking scripts
• Try different browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari)

About This Tool

This tool was created by MakkahCompass.org to provide Muslims with free, accurate Qibla finding technology. We believe essential religious tools should be accessible to everyone without paywalls or privacy concerns.

Technology used:

• Leaflet.js for interactive mapping
• OpenStreetMap for map tiles
• Vanilla JavaScript (no heavy frameworks)
• Pure CSS for styling

Share This Tool

Know someone who could benefit from this tool? Share the link: https://makkahcompass.org/tools/prayer-rug-aligner/

For mosques: Feel free to print and share alignment markers with your community.

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Related Guides

• How to Find Qibla Direction: 5 Methods - Complete guide with compass, sun, and star methods
• Ghusl Checklist - Ensure you’re purified before prayer
• Islamic Midnight Calculator - Calculate Tahajjud prayer times

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Last Updated: January 30, 2026 License: Free for personal and community use Open Source: Built with 100% open-source technologies