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About Qibla Direction
The Qibla is the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia — the point toward which all Muslims orient themselves during their five daily prayers. Determining the precise Qibla from any location on Earth requires spherical geometry, as the shortest path between two points on a globe follows a great circle, not a straight line on a flat map.
Zaman's Qibla finder uses your device's GPS coordinates and the Kaaba's known position (21.4225°N, 39.8262°E) to calculate the exact bearing using the great circle method. When your device has a compass sensor, the Qibla direction is displayed in real time as you rotate your phone — simply point the top of your device in the indicated direction. The bearing in degrees and the distance to the Kaaba in kilometers are shown alongside.
For the best compass accuracy, calibrate your device by moving it in a figure-8 motion before use, and avoid standing near metal objects or electronics that could cause magnetic interference. The mathematical bearing Zaman calculates is precise to within a fraction of a degree — any imprecision comes from the compass sensor hardware, not the calculation.
Historical Methods of Finding the Qibla
Muslim astronomers have been developing methods to determine the Qibla for over a thousand years. In the 9th century, the mathematician Al-Khwarizmi created tables listing the Qibla direction from many cities. Astrolabes and quadrants were designed with Qibla-finding features, and medieval mosques across the Islamic world were carefully aligned using astronomical observations.
One remarkable traditional method uses the sun's position: twice a year — around May 28 and July 16 — the sun passes directly over the Kaaba, meaning any vertical shadow at that moment points directly away from the Qibla. This astronomical alignment was known and used by scholars centuries before GPS and digital compasses made Qibla determination instantaneous.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Qibla?▾
The Qibla is the direction that Muslims face during their five daily prayers (salah). It points toward the Kaaba, a cube-shaped structure at the center of Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The Quran commands: "Turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Haram. And wherever you are, turn your faces toward it" (Al-Baqarah 2:144). Facing the Qibla is a requirement for the validity of prayer in Islam.
How is the Qibla direction calculated?▾
The Qibla direction is calculated using the great circle method — the shortest path between two points on Earth's surface. Given your GPS coordinates and the Kaaba's location (21.4225°N, 39.8262°E), spherical trigonometry is used to find the initial bearing of the great circle connecting both points. This gives the most accurate Qibla direction. On a flat map, this path appears curved due to map projection, which is why the Qibla may not match what you'd expect from looking at a flat map.
How accurate is a phone compass for finding the Qibla?▾
Smartphone compass accuracy varies from 1° to 15° depending on calibration, magnetic interference, and the device's magnetometer quality. For best results, calibrate your compass by moving your device in a figure-8 pattern before using the Qibla finder. Avoid using it near metal objects, electronics, or magnets. The mathematical bearing Zaman calculates is precise — the variability comes from the compass sensor itself.
Does the Qibla direction change depending on where I am?▾
Yes, the Qibla direction is different from every location on Earth because it always points toward the Kaaba in Mecca. From North America, the Qibla generally points northeast (not southeast as many assume, because the great circle path over the North Atlantic is shorter). From Southeast Asia, it points west-northwest. From Europe, it points southeast. Zaman calculates the exact bearing for your specific GPS coordinates.
What is the great circle method?▾
The great circle is the shortest path between two points on a sphere, like following the curve of the Earth rather than a straight line on a flat map. For Qibla calculation, the great circle from your location to the Kaaba gives the most accurate direction. This method uses spherical trigonometry — specifically the arctangent formula involving the latitude and longitude differences between your position and Mecca. All major Islamic scholars and organizations endorse this method for Qibla determination.
How far am I from Mecca?▾
Zaman shows the distance from your location to the Kaaba using the Haversine formula, which calculates the great circle distance accounting for Earth's curvature. For reference: London is about 4,580 km from Mecca, New York about 10,400 km, Jakarta about 7,870 km, Istanbul about 2,060 km, and Karachi about 2,580 km. The exact distance from your location is displayed on the Qibla page when you set your city.