🕌 What is Qibla and Why Does Direction Matter in Islam?
The Qibla (قِبْلَة) is the direction that Muslims around the world face during the five daily prayers — Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha. It points toward the Kaaba, the sacred cubic structure inside Masjid Al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
"Turn your face toward the Sacred Mosque. Wherever you are, turn your faces toward it." — Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah (2:144)
Facing the Qibla is a Fard (obligatory) condition for the validity of Salah. Whether you are at home, at work, travelling abroad, or in an unfamiliar city, knowing the correct Qibla direction ensures your prayers are performed correctly according to Islamic teaching.
Qibla Direction by Country & Region
The Qibla bearing changes depending on where you are in the world. Here are approximate directions for major regions — use the live compass above for your precise angle:
- India (Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi): West-northwest, approx. 279°–283°
- United Kingdom (London): Southeast, approx. 118°
- United States (New York): Northeast, approx. 58°
- Australia (Sydney): Northwest, approx. 277°
- Canada (Toronto): Northeast, approx. 54°
- South Africa (Cape Town): North-northeast, approx. 2°
- UAE (Dubai): Northwest, approx. 295°
- Pakistan (Karachi): West-northwest, approx. 270°
- Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur): Northwest, approx. 293°
These are approximate bearings. Always use the live GPS-based finder above for the exact Qibla angle from your precise location.
Frequently Asked Questions About Qibla Direction
How do I find my Qibla direction from my location?
Open this page on your smartphone, allow GPS and compass access, hold your device flat, and turn until the golden arrow points away from you. That direction is your Qibla. The Qibla angle in degrees is also shown in the data panel below the compass.
What direction is Qibla from India?
From India, the Qibla direction is toward the west-northwest. From Bengaluru it's approximately 283°, from Mumbai 279°, from Delhi 281°, and from Chennai 285°. The exact angle depends on your precise location — use the live compass above for accuracy.
How accurate is this Qibla finder?
Within 1–2 degrees when properly calibrated. Accuracy depends on your device's magnetometer and your distance from magnetic interference like speakers, metal furniture, or magnetic phone cases. Calibrate your phone by moving it in a slow figure-8 pattern three times.
Does this Qibla finder work on iPhone?
Yes. Open in Safari on iPhone, tap the screen when prompted to allow compass access, and grant location permission. The tool uses iOS's webkitCompassHeading for accurate north-referenced readings. Works on iPhone 6 and above running iOS 13+.
Why is my compass not pointing the right way?
This is usually caused by magnetic interference. Move away from metal furniture, speakers, laptops, and other electronics. Remove any magnetic phone case. Calibrate by slowly waving your phone in a figure-8 shape three times. Make sure to hold the phone flat.
Can I find Qibla direction without a compass?
Yes — the Qibla angle in degrees is shown in the data panel below the compass. If your device has no compass sensor, you can note this number and use a physical compass or align yourself using the sun's position. At noon, the sun is roughly in the south in the northern hemisphere.
Does the Qibla finder work without internet?
Once the page has loaded and your GPS location has been detected, the compass rotates in real time completely offline. An internet connection is only needed for the initial page load and to display your city name.
What is the difference between Qibla and magnetic north?
Magnetic north is the direction a compass needle points, which varies slightly from true (geographic) north due to Earth's magnetic field. Qibla is the bearing from your location to Mecca measured from true north. Our tool accounts for this difference using the device's absolute orientation sensor where available.