Qibla finder / Afghanistan
Qibla direction from Kandahar, 252.5° west-southwest
From Kandahar, face 252.5° clockwise from true north to face the Kaaba in Makkah, 2,807 km away. With a magnetic compass, face 249.6°.
- Distance to the Kaaba
- 2,807 km (1,744 miles)
- Magnetic compass bearing
- 249.6°
- Magnetic declination
- 2.9° east
- City centre
- 31.6289, 65.7372
How to face the qibla
Stand with a compass and turn until it reads 249.6°. That is 252.5° from true north, adjusted for the 2.9° east magnetic declination in Kandahar. Or open the live compass on your phone.
Worked out for the centre of Kandahar. Across the city the direction changes by less than a degree.
Guide
Why the qibla is west-southwest from Kandahar
The qibla is the direction of the Kaaba, measured along the shortest path over the globe. From Kandahar that path leaves heading west-southwest, at 252.5° 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 Kandahar is 2.9° east of true north this year, by the World Magnetic Model 2025. That is why the compass bearing, 249.6°, 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 Afghanistan
| City | Qibla | Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Kabul | 250.8° | WSW |
| Herat | 242.5° | WSW |
| Mazar-i-Sharif | 244.7° | WSW |
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 Kandahar?
The qibla from Kandahar is 252.5° from true north, which is west-southwest. With an ordinary magnetic compass, face 249.6°.
How far is Kandahar from Makkah?
About 2,807 km (1,744 miles) in a straight line over the globe.
Why is the qibla west-southwest from Kandahar?
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.