Qibla finder / Indonesia

Qibla direction from Medan, 292.8° west-northwest

From Medan, face 292.8° clockwise from true north to face the Kaaba in Makkah, 6,646 km away. With a magnetic compass, face 293.0°.

Qibla from Medan292.8°

west-northwest (WNW), from true north

Distance to the Kaaba
6,646 km (4,129 miles)
Magnetic compass bearing
293.0°
Magnetic declination
0.2° west
City centre
3.5952, 98.6722

How to face the qibla

Stand with a compass and turn until it reads 293.0°. That is 292.8° from true north, adjusted for the 0.2° west magnetic declination in Medan. Or open the live compass on your phone.

Worked out for the centre of Medan. Across the city the direction changes by less than a degree.

Guide

Why the qibla is west-northwest from Medan

The qibla is the direction of the Kaaba, measured along the shortest path over the globe. From Medan that path leaves heading west-northwest, at 292.8° 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 Medan is 0.2° west of true north this year, by the World Magnetic Model 2025. That is why the compass bearing, 293.0°, differs from the true bearing.

Hanafi position

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 Indonesia

CityQiblaDirection
Jakarta295.2°WNW
Surabaya294.0°WNW
Bandung295.2°WNW
Semarang294.5°WNW
Makassar292.5°WNW
Palembang294.5°WNW
Yogyakarta294.7°WNW
Denpasar293.8°WNW
Banda Aceh292.2°WNW
Tangerang295.2°WNW
Depok295.2°WNW
Bekasi295.1°WNW
Balikpapan292.2°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 Medan?

The qibla from Medan is 292.8° from true north, which is west-northwest. With an ordinary magnetic compass, face 293.0°.

How far is Medan from Makkah?

About 6,646 km (4,129 miles) in a straight line over the globe.

Why is the qibla west-northwest from Medan?

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.