How to find the Qibla direction
The Qibla is the direction of the Kaaba in Makkah al-Mukarramah, Saudi Arabia, which Muslims face during the five daily prayers. Finding the Qibla requires knowing your current geographic coordinates and calculating the great-circle bearing (shortest path on the Earth's surface) from your location to the coordinates of the Kaaba (21.4225° N, 39.8262° E). This tool uses your device's GPS to calculate your precise Qibla direction automatically.
Qibla direction for major cities in Pakistan
From Karachi, the Qibla direction is approximately 292 degrees (west-northwest). From Lahore, it is approximately 262 degrees (west-southwest). From Islamabad, it is approximately 257 degrees (approximately west-southwest). From Peshawar, it is approximately 252 degrees. These directions are based on the great circle calculation — some older mosques in Pakistan were built facing slightly different directions based on traditional methods, which is why mosque Qibla directions may differ slightly from GPS calculations.
Great circle vs rhumb line Qibla
The great circle direction (also called geodetic or orthodromic direction) is the shortest path between two points on the Earth's surface — this is what GPS and modern Qibla calculators use. The rhumb line (constant compass bearing) gives a different direction that remains constant on a compass but is a longer route. Islamic scholars have discussed which is more correct; the majority view is that the great circle direction is preferred as it represents the true shortest direction. In practice, the difference is small and facing the approximate direction is valid in Islamic jurisprudence.
Using a compass to find the Qibla
If you know your Qibla degree from this calculator, you can use any compass (physical or phone app) to face that exact direction. Note that phone compasses require calibration and can be affected by metal objects and electromagnetic interference. Step away from electronics and wave your phone in a figure-8 pattern to calibrate the compass before use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I do not know the exact Qibla direction? Islamic jurisprudence allows facing the approximate direction (jihatul-Qibla) when the exact direction is difficult to determine. Facing the general direction of Makkah is sufficient for the validity of prayer.
Do I need to be precise to the degree? No. Prayer is valid as long as you are facing the general direction. A few degrees of variation is not significant — the Kaaba is a small target at thousands of kilometers distance.
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