Qibla finder / Saudi Arabia
Qibla direction from Al Khobar, 245.1° west-southwest.
From Al Khobar, face 245.1° clockwise from true north to face the Kaaba in Makkah, 1,185 km away. With a magnetic compass, face 242.1°.
- Distance to the Kaaba
- 1,185 km (737 miles)
- Magnetic compass bearing
- 242.1°
- Magnetic declination
- 2.9° east
- City centre
- 26.2794, 50.2083
How to face the qibla
Stand with a compass and turn until it reads 242.1°. That is 245.1° from true north, adjusted for the 2.9° east magnetic declination in Al Khobar. Or open the live compass on your phone.
Worked out for the centre of Al Khobar. Across the city the direction changes by less than a degree.
Guide
Why the qibla is west-southwest from Al Khobar.
The qibla is the direction of the Kaaba, measured along the shortest path over the globe. From Al Khobar that path leaves heading west-southwest, at 245.1° 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 Al Khobar is 2.9° east of true north this year, by the World Magnetic Model 2025. That is why the compass bearing, 242.1°, 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 Saudi Arabia
The rulings on this page are pending review by the scholars on our team.
Questions
Good to know.
What is the qibla direction from Al Khobar?
The qibla from Al Khobar is 245.1° from true north, which is west-southwest. With an ordinary magnetic compass, face 242.1°.
How far is Al Khobar from Makkah?
About 1,185 km (737 miles) in a straight line over the globe.
Why is the qibla west-southwest from Al Khobar?
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.