Guide
How to Find the Qibla Direction
The Qibla is the direction Muslims face during prayer: toward the Kaaba in the Sacred Mosque (Masjid al-Haram) in Mecca. From anywhere on Earth it is the shortest (great-circle) direction to that point. Here are three dependable ways to find it.
1. Use a compass (and correct for declination)
Look up your Qibla bearing (degrees from true north) for your city, then face that bearing. If you use a magnetic compass, remember it points to magnetic north, which differs from true north by an amount called magnetic declination that varies by location — adjust for it, or use a compass app that already shows true north.
2. Use the sun (twice a year, exactly)
Twice a year the sun passes directly over the Kaaba — around 27–28 May and 15–16 July, at roughly 12:18 Mecca time. At that exact moment, anywhere the sun is visible, a vertical object's shadow points directly away from the Qibla — so the direction toward the sun is the Qibla. It's a simple, instrument-free check.
3. Use an app or online tool
The easiest option is a Qibla feature that uses your phone's location and compass to point the way in real time — like the one in the MawaqitGo app. Calibrate the phone's compass (the figure-eight motion) for best accuracy, and keep it away from metal and magnets.