Qibla finder / Saudi Arabia
Qibla direction from Makkah, 318.5° northwest.
From Makkah, face 318.5° clockwise from true north to face the Kaaba in Makkah, 5 km away. With a magnetic compass, face 315.0°.
- Distance to the Kaaba
- 5 km (3 miles)
- Magnetic compass bearing
- 315.0°
- Magnetic declination
- 3.5° east
- City centre
- 21.3891, 39.8579
How to face the qibla
Stand with a compass and turn until it reads 315.0°. That is 318.5° from true north, adjusted for the 3.5° east magnetic declination in Makkah. Or open the live compass on your phone.
Worked out for the centre of Makkah. Across the city the direction changes by less than a degree.
Guide
Why the qibla is northwest from Makkah.
The qibla is the direction of the Kaaba, measured along the shortest path over the globe. From Makkah that path leaves heading northwest, at 318.5° 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 Makkah is 3.5° east of true north this year, by the World Magnetic Model 2025. That is why the compass bearing, 315.0°, 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 Makkah?
The qibla from Makkah is 318.5° from true north, which is northwest. With an ordinary magnetic compass, face 315.0°.
How far is Makkah from Makkah?
About 5 km (3 miles) in a straight line over the globe.
Why is the qibla northwest from Makkah?
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.