Find Your Qibla Direction
Tap the button to calculate the exact Qibla bearing from your current location:
What Is Qibla?
Qibla (Arabic for “direction”) is the direction Muslims face during the five daily prayers, pointing towards the Kaaba in the Masjid al-Haram in Makkah. Facing the Qibla is a condition of a valid prayer (Salah), and the Qur’an explicitly instructs: “So turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Haram. And wherever you [believers] are, turn your faces toward it” (Qur’an 2:144). New to the daily prayers? See our guide on how to pray Salah.
How Qibla Direction Is Calculated
Qibla is calculated as the shortest path (great-circle bearing) from your location to the Kaaba’s coordinates (21.4225°N, 39.8262°E). Because the Earth is a sphere, this direction is not simply “south-east” or “north-west” in a straight line on a flat map — it follows the curve of the globe, which is why Qibla from cities in North America, for example, points more north-easterly than a flat map might suggest.
| From | Approx. Qibla direction |
|---|---|
| New York / Boston / Toronto | North-east (~58–60°) |
| Chicago / Houston | East-north-east (~46–56°) |
| Los Angeles / Seattle | North-east (~24–30°) |
| London | South-east (~119°) |
| Sydney / Melbourne | North-west (~277–280°) |
Bearings are approximate and measured clockwise from true north. Use the finder above for your exact location.
How to Find Qibla Without an App
If you don’t have internet access, two traditional methods can help:
- Ask locally — mosques are built facing Qibla, so the direction of the nearest mosque’s prayer hall is a reliable reference.
- Sun and shadow method — twice a year (around 27–28 May and 15–16 July), the sun passes almost directly over Makkah at solar noon; at that moment, any shadow points directly away from Qibla worldwide. This is a traditional method still referenced today, though it only applies on those specific dates and times.
- A magnetic compass combined with the bearing for your city (see the table above) also works, keeping in mind magnetic north differs slightly from true north depending on location.
What If You Prayed Facing the Wrong Direction?
Islamic teaching is forgiving on this point: if someone makes a sincere effort to determine Qibla and prays facing a mistaken direction, their prayer is still considered valid, based on the principle that God does not burden a soul with what is beyond its reasonable effort (see Qur’an 2:286). Facing the approximate direction, rather than the exact precise bearing, is generally considered sufficient, especially at a distance from Makkah.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Qibla?
Qibla is the direction Muslims face during prayer, pointing towards the Kaaba in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
How do I find the Qibla direction?
Use an online Qibla finder (like the tool above) that calculates the bearing from your exact location to the Kaaba, or use a compass with the approximate bearing for your city.
Which way is Qibla from the USA?
From most of the United States, Qibla is roughly north-east, though the precise bearing varies by city — for example, around 58–60° from New York and around 24–30° from Los Angeles.
Which way is Qibla from the UK?
From London and most of the UK, Qibla is roughly south-east, around 119° from true north.
Which way is Qibla from Australia?
From Sydney and Melbourne, Qibla is roughly north-west, around 277–280° from true north.
What if I pray facing the wrong direction by mistake?
If a sincere effort was made to determine the direction, the prayer is still considered valid, since Islamic teaching does not require more effort than is reasonably possible.
Do mosques always face Qibla?
Yes. Mosques are built so their prayer hall (and the mihrab, the wall niche marking the front) faces Qibla, which is why the direction of a nearby mosque can serve as a reliable local reference.
Continue exploring: Mosque Etiquette: A Guide for Visitors (coming soon) · How to Pray Salah · find a mosque near you.
Reviewed for accuracy by MuslimPro.com.