Qibla finder / Indonesia
Qibla direction from Balikpapan, 292.2° west-northwest
From Balikpapan, face 292.2° clockwise from true north to face the Kaaba in Makkah, 8,718 km away. With a magnetic compass, face 292.1°.
- Distance to the Kaaba
- 8,718 km (5,417 miles)
- Magnetic compass bearing
- 292.1°
- Magnetic declination
- 0.1° east
- City centre
- -1.2379, 116.8529
How to face the qibla
Stand with a compass and turn until it reads 292.1°. That is 292.2° from true north, adjusted for the 0.1° east magnetic declination in Balikpapan. Or open the live compass on your phone.
Worked out for the centre of Balikpapan. Across the city the direction changes by less than a degree.
Guide
Why the qibla is west-northwest from Balikpapan
The qibla is the direction of the Kaaba, measured along the shortest path over the globe. From Balikpapan that path leaves heading west-northwest, at 292.2° from true north. Flat maps distort this route, so it can look wrong on a map even though it is the true direction.
A compass points to magnetic north, which in Balikpapan is 0.1° east of true north this year, by the World Magnetic Model 2025. That is why the compass bearing, 292.1°, differs from the true bearing.
Someone far from Makkah faces the direction (jihah) of the Kaaba. A small turn to the left or right does not affect the prayer, and a prayer made after a genuine effort stays valid even if you later learn you were slightly off.
Other madhhabs
- Shafi'i
- The stronger view is to aim at the Kaaba itself by your best effort, even from far away.
- Maliki, Hanbali
- Facing the direction is enough, as in the Hanafi school.
Qibla from other cities in Indonesia
| City | Qibla | Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Jakarta | 295.2° | WNW |
| Surabaya | 294.0° | WNW |
| Bandung | 295.2° | WNW |
| Medan | 292.8° | WNW |
| Semarang | 294.5° | WNW |
| Makassar | 292.5° | WNW |
| Palembang | 294.5° | WNW |
| Yogyakarta | 294.7° | WNW |
| Denpasar | 293.8° | WNW |
| Banda Aceh | 292.2° | WNW |
| Tangerang | 295.2° | WNW |
| Depok | 295.2° | WNW |
| Bekasi | 295.1° | WNW |
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar.
Questions
Good to know
What is the qibla direction from Balikpapan?
The qibla from Balikpapan is 292.2° from true north, which is west-northwest. With an ordinary magnetic compass, face 292.1°.
How far is Balikpapan from Makkah?
About 8,718 km (5,417 miles) in a straight line over the globe.
Why is the qibla west-northwest from Balikpapan?
The qibla follows the shortest route over the curved Earth to the Kaaba, called a great circle. On a flat map this route looks curved, so the direction can look different from what a map suggests.
How exact do I need to be?
In the Hanafi school, someone far from Makkah faces the general direction of the Kaaba. A small turn to either side does not affect the prayer. Do your best, or follow the direction of your local masjid.