Qibla finder / Pakistan
Qibla direction from Rawalpindi, 256.1° west-southwest
From Rawalpindi, face 256.1° clockwise from true north to face the Kaaba in Makkah, 3,522 km away. With a magnetic compass, face 253.3°.
- Distance to the Kaaba
- 3,522 km (2,188 miles)
- Magnetic compass bearing
- 253.3°
- Magnetic declination
- 2.8° east
- City centre
- 33.5651, 73.0169
How to face the qibla
Stand with a compass and turn until it reads 253.3°. That is 256.1° from true north, adjusted for the 2.8° east magnetic declination in Rawalpindi. Or open the live compass on your phone.
Worked out for the centre of Rawalpindi. Across the city the direction changes by less than a degree.
Guide
Why the qibla is west-southwest from Rawalpindi
The qibla is the direction of the Kaaba, measured along the shortest path over the globe. From Rawalpindi that path leaves heading west-southwest, at 256.1° 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 Rawalpindi is 2.8° east of true north this year, by the World Magnetic Model 2025. That is why the compass bearing, 253.3°, 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 Pakistan
| City | Qibla | Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Karachi | 267.7° | W |
| Lahore | 260.4° | W |
| Islamabad | 255.9° | WSW |
| Faisalabad | 259.5° | W |
| Multan | 260.5° | W |
| Peshawar | 254.0° | WSW |
| Quetta | 256.7° | WSW |
| Hyderabad, Sindh | 267.3° | W |
| Gujranwala | 259.2° | W |
| Sialkot | 259.0° | W |
| Bahawalpur | 261.9° | W |
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 Rawalpindi?
The qibla from Rawalpindi is 256.1° from true north, which is west-southwest. With an ordinary magnetic compass, face 253.3°.
How far is Rawalpindi from Makkah?
About 3,522 km (2,188 miles) in a straight line over the globe.
Why is the qibla west-southwest from Rawalpindi?
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.