Qibla
Calculate the Qibla from your location. Salatna uses your GPS coordinates to determine the exact angle towards the Kaaba.
To compute Qibla from your location, Salatna uses your browser’s geolocation.
Tip: face North, then rotate until you reach the indicated angle.
What is the Qibla?
The Qibla is the direction Muslims face when performing prayer (salat). It points towards the Kaaba, the black cube at the centre of the Sacred Mosque (Al-Masjid al-Haram) in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
The Kaaba is considered the House of God (Bayt Allah) and is the central point towards which Muslims worldwide orient their prayers five times daily. This unity of direction symbolises the unity of the Muslim community (Ummah).
The obligation to face the Qibla during prayer is mentioned in the Quran (Surah Al-Baqara, verse 144): 'Turn your face towards the Sacred Mosque. Wherever you may be, turn your faces towards it.'
How is the Qibla calculated?
The Qibla angle is calculated mathematically using the geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude) of your location and those of the Kaaba in Mecca (latitude 21.4225°N, longitude 39.8262°E).
The formula used is the initial bearing formula based on spherical trigonometry. It accounts for the Earth's curvature to provide the shortest angle (great-circle path) between your position and Mecca.
The resulting angle is expressed in degrees from geographic north, clockwise. For example, from London, the Qibla is approximately 119° (south-east). From New York, it's approximately 58° (north-east).
How to find the Qibla at home
- 1Use the tool above to get the exact angle from your location. It uses your device's GPS.
- 2Open the Compass app on your phone (available natively on iPhone and Android). Place your phone flat and rotate until the displayed azimuth matches the Qibla angle.
- 3Without a compass, locate north using the sun (rises in the east, sets in the west) and orient yourself accordingly.
- 4For a permanent setup (prayer mat in a room), you can also use Google Maps: draw a straight line from your address to Mecca to visualise the approximate direction.
Does the Qibla vary by city?
Yes, the Qibla angle changes based on your geographic position. From Europe, it generally points south-east. From East Asia, it points west. From the Americas, it points north-east.
The difference can be significant even between cities in the same country. For example, in the UK, the angle varies by about 2° between Edinburgh (north) and London (south). That's why Salatna calculates the Qibla individually for each city.