Qibla finder / Malaysia
Qibla direction from Kota Kinabalu, 290.6° west-northwest
From Kota Kinabalu, face 290.6° clockwise from true north to face the Kaaba in Makkah, 8,344 km away. With a magnetic compass, face 291.4°.
- Distance to the Kaaba
- 8,344 km (5,185 miles)
- Magnetic compass bearing
- 291.4°
- Magnetic declination
- 0.8° west
- City centre
- 5.9804, 116.0735
How to face the qibla
Stand with a compass and turn until it reads 291.4°. That is 290.6° from true north, adjusted for the 0.8° west magnetic declination in Kota Kinabalu. Or open the live compass on your phone.
Worked out for the centre of Kota Kinabalu. Across the city the direction changes by less than a degree.
Guide
Why the qibla is west-northwest from Kota Kinabalu
The qibla is the direction of the Kaaba, measured along the shortest path over the globe. From Kota Kinabalu that path leaves heading west-northwest, at 290.6° 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 Kota Kinabalu is 0.8° west of true north this year, by the World Magnetic Model 2025. That is why the compass bearing, 291.4°, 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 Malaysia
| City | Qibla | Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Kuala Lumpur | 292.5° | WNW |
| George Town | 291.6° | WNW |
| Johor Bahru | 293.0° | WNW |
| Ipoh | 291.9° | WNW |
| Kuching | 292.1° | WNW |
| Shah Alam | 292.6° | WNW |
| Malacca | 292.9° | WNW |
| Kota Bharu | 291.0° | WNW |
| Kuala Terengganu | 291.3° | WNW |
| Putrajaya | 292.6° | 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 Kota Kinabalu?
The qibla from Kota Kinabalu is 290.6° from true north, which is west-northwest. With an ordinary magnetic compass, face 291.4°.
How far is Kota Kinabalu from Makkah?
About 8,344 km (5,185 miles) in a straight line over the globe.
Why is the qibla west-northwest from Kota Kinabalu?
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.