Qibla finder / South Africa
Qibla direction from Cape Town, 23.4° north-northeast
From Cape Town, face 23.4° clockwise from true north to face the Kaaba in Makkah, 6,558 km away. With a magnetic compass, face 50.2°.
- Distance to the Kaaba
- 6,558 km (4,075 miles)
- Magnetic compass bearing
- 50.2°
- Magnetic declination
- 26.8° west
- City centre
- -33.9249, 18.4241
How to face the qibla
Stand with a compass and turn until it reads 50.2°. That is 23.4° from true north, adjusted for the 26.8° west magnetic declination in Cape Town. Or open the live compass on your phone.
Worked out for the centre of Cape Town. Across the city the direction changes by less than a degree.
Guide
Why the qibla is north-northeast from Cape Town
The qibla is the direction of the Kaaba, measured along the shortest path over the globe. From Cape Town that path leaves heading north-northeast, at 23.4° 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 Cape Town is 26.8° west of true north this year, by the World Magnetic Model 2025. That is why the compass bearing, 50.2°, 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 cities nearby
| City | Qibla | Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Johannesburg | 14.6° | NNE |
| Durban | 10.4° | N |
| Dar es Salaam | 1.2° | N |
| Zanzibar | 1.3° | N |
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 Cape Town?
The qibla from Cape Town is 23.4° from true north, which is north-northeast. With an ordinary magnetic compass, face 50.2°.
How far is Cape Town from Makkah?
About 6,558 km (4,075 miles) in a straight line over the globe.
Why is the qibla north-northeast from Cape Town?
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.