1. Read a location
You can share your current latitude and longitude through the browser permission prompt or type coordinates yourself. A city name is not needed.
Private browser calculation
Find the Qibla direction from your location
Use your browser’s location permission or enter latitude and longitude manually. The page calculates the initial bearing to the Kaaba locally, so your coordinates are not uploaded by this tool.
- Local calculation
- Manual coordinate option
- True-north bearing
Calculate your Qibla bearing
The result is an angle measured clockwise from true north. Location permission is optional.
Your coordinates stay in this page: pressing the location button asks the browser for permission. The JavaScript calculation runs locally and does not send those coordinates to IslamTools. You can also deny permission and use the manual form.
How it works
How the Qibla bearing is calculated
The tool treats Earth as a sphere and calculates the initial great-circle bearing from your coordinates to the Kaaba at 21.4225° N, 39.8262° E.
2. Calculate the bearing
The page uses trigonometry to find the initial path toward the Kaaba. The normalized result falls between 0° and 360°, measured clockwise from true north.
3. Interpret the result
A result of 90° means due east, 180° means south and 270° means west. The page also shows a compass label and approximate great-circle distance.
Using a real compass
True north, magnetic north and phone calibration
The displayed angle uses true north
True north points toward the geographic North Pole. A magnetic compass points toward magnetic north, which can differ by several degrees depending on where you are. That difference is called magnetic declination.
Many phone map apps can display a true-north heading, but their settings differ. Check whether your compass or map is using true or magnetic north before applying the bearing.
Reduce common compass errors
- Remove magnetic cases or accessories.
- Move away from vehicles, speakers, steel furniture and electrical equipment.
- Follow your phone’s calibration prompt, often a figure-eight movement.
- Compare the direction with a map, sunlight or a known landmark.
Troubleshooting
If the direction looks wrong
Check the coordinates
A negative sign changes the hemisphere. Latitude is north/south and must be between −90 and 90. Longitude is east/west and must be between −180 and 180. Reversing the two values produces a very different bearing.
Check the reference north
The tool’s result starts from true north. If your handheld compass uses magnetic north, account for local declination or use a map aligned to geographic north. Inside buildings, use multiple checks rather than relying on one sensor reading.
Questions
Qibla direction FAQ
Does the Qibla finder upload my location?
No. If you grant browser location access, this page reads the coordinates and performs the bearing calculation locally in JavaScript. The coordinates are not sent to the IslamTools server by this tool.
Why can a phone compass point in the wrong direction?
Nearby metal, magnets, cases and electronic equipment can disturb a phone magnetometer. Calibrate the device, move away from interference and compare the displayed bearing with a map or known landmark.
Is the bearing measured from true north or magnetic north?
The bearing shown here is measured clockwise from true north. A magnetic compass can differ because magnetic declination varies by place and date.
Why does another Qibla tool show a slightly different number?
Small differences can come from rounded coordinates, a spherical versus ellipsoidal Earth model, or the use of magnetic rather than true north. Re-enter precise coordinates and compare which north reference each tool uses.
Qibla and prayer tools on your phone
IslamTools v2.0.2 includes a Qibla compass, prayer times, Quran, duas and other practical tools on iOS and Android. The app is free, with no ads or analytics SDKs.