Qibla finder / Uzbekistan
Qibla direction from Samarkand, 239.8° west-southwest
From Samarkand, face 239.8° clockwise from true north to face the Kaaba in Makkah, 3,273 km away. With a magnetic compass, face 234.5°.
- Distance to the Kaaba
- 3,273 km (2,033 miles)
- Magnetic compass bearing
- 234.5°
- Magnetic declination
- 5.3° east
- City centre
- 39.6270, 66.9750
How to face the qibla
Stand with a compass and turn until it reads 234.5°. That is 239.8° from true north, adjusted for the 5.3° east magnetic declination in Samarkand. Or open the live compass on your phone.
Worked out for the centre of Samarkand. Across the city the direction changes by less than a degree.
Guide
Why the qibla is west-southwest from Samarkand
The qibla is the direction of the Kaaba, measured along the shortest path over the globe. From Samarkand that path leaves heading west-southwest, at 239.8° 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 Samarkand is 5.3° east of true north this year, by the World Magnetic Model 2025. That is why the compass bearing, 234.5°, 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 cities nearby
| City | Qibla | Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Tashkent | 240.3° | WSW |
| Mazar-i-Sharif | 244.7° | WSW |
| Kabul | 250.8° | WSW |
| Herat | 242.5° | WSW |
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 Samarkand?
The qibla from Samarkand is 239.8° from true north, which is west-southwest. With an ordinary magnetic compass, face 234.5°.
How far is Samarkand from Makkah?
About 3,273 km (2,033 miles) in a straight line over the globe.
Why is the qibla west-southwest from Samarkand?
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.