Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about QiblaLocator and how accurate Qibla direction calculation works.

📐 Methodology

How We Calculate the Qibla Direction

QiblaLocator uses precise geodesic calculations (great circle arcs) to determine the shortest path from your location to the Kaaba in Mecca. Here's what makes our calculation accurate:

Geodesic Projection: We account for Earth's spherical shape, calculating the true shortest path rather than a simple flat-map direction
True North Reference: All bearings are calculated using True North (geographic north), not magnetic north
Kaaba Coordinates: We use the precise coordinates of the Kaaba: 21.4225°N, 39.8262°E
Spherical Trigonometry: Advanced bearing calculations ensure accuracy within fractions of a degree

For most practical purposes, this provides accuracy that is suitable for prayer direction, with precision typically within 0.1 degrees of the true qibla.

⭐ Features

📍 Find Your Location

✓ Use Your Current Location: Share your location with one click
✓ Search by Address: Type in any city, street, or place name
✓ Enter Coordinates: If you know the exact latitude and longitude
✓ Point on the Map: Click or drag the marker anywhere

💾 Save & Share

✓ Remember Your Places: Save favorite locations with custom names
✓ Share with Others: Send a link to show friends the Qibla from any location
✓ Keep Your List: Saved locations stay even after you close the browser
✓ Quick Copy: Share a link with one click

🕌 Discover Nearby Mosques

✓ Search Your Area: Find mosques near wherever you are on the map
✓ View What You See: Results show only mosques in your current map view
✓ Mosque Details: See addresses, websites, and opening hours when available
✓ Easy Browsing: Flip through results page-by-page

🗺️ Easy Map Navigation

✓ Drag the Marker: Move the prayer direction indicator anywhere
✓ Zoom In and Out: See the whole world or zoom to your neighborhood
✓ Instant Updates: Direction changes instantly as you move around
✓ Copy Coordinates: Click coordinates to copy them to your clipboard

🏠 Famous Mosques

✓ One Click Away: Instantly see the Qibla from famous mosques worldwide
✓ Built-In Examples: Masjid al-Haram, Al-Aqsa, Hassan II Mosque, and more
✓ Learn & Explore: Discover Qibla directions from historically significant sites

🔒 Privacy & Works Everywhere

✓ Your Privacy Matters: All calculations happen in your browser, nothing is recorded
✓ No Tracking: Your location is never stored or sent anywhere
✓ Works Offline: Once loaded, many features work without internet
✓ Works Everywhere: Use on your phone, tablet, or computer

Which way is North?

North is always pointing UP on the map.

Is the North you refer to the magnetic North or true North?

True North. QiblaLocator uses True North (also called geographic North or geodetic North), which is the direction towards the geographic North Pole, not the magnetic North Pole.

I live in Canada/USA. The QiblaLocator shows the Qibla in the North/North-East whereas I can clearly see on a map that it is in the South-East. Is the QiblaLocator incorrect?

Absolutely not! This is a common misconception caused by how we typically see maps.

The Flat Map Problem

When you look at a flat map of the world, drawing a line from your location in North America to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, it appears the Qibla direction should be Southeast. This seems logical on a flat map.

The Reality: Earth is Spherical

However, Earth is not flat—it's spherical (approximately). When you calculate the shortest path between two points on a sphere using geodesic lines, you get a different direction than what appears on a flat map.

For locations in North America, the shortest path to Mecca actually goes North (or North-East), not Southeast. This is because on a sphere, the shortest distance between two points is a great circle (geodesic), not a straight line as it appears on a flat map.

How to Verify This

You can test this yourself with a simple experiment:

Get a globe (physical Earth model)
Get a piece of string and tape
Tape one end of the string to Mecca
Stretch the string along the globe to your location
The string will show you the shortest path (geodesic) to Mecca

Note: This globe method is an approximation since Earth is actually wider at the equator than at the poles. QiblaLocator calculations are far more accurate than this physical model.

How does the Qibla direction calculation work?

The calculation uses spherical geometry to find the shortest path from your location to the Kaaba in Mecca. This accounts for Earth's round shape and gives you the most accurate direction from True North. For a detailed explanation of the mathematics involved, see our How It Works page.

How accurate is the Qibla direction?

The calculation is accurate to within a fraction of a degree, which is more than precise enough for prayer. Accuracy depends on your GPS location (typically 5-10 meters) and the exact coordinates of the Kaaba. See the How It Works page for details on how accuracy factors are considered.

Can I save my favorite locations?

Yes! QiblaLocator allows you to save your favorite locations with custom names. Your saved locations are stored in your browser's local storage, so they persist across sessions. You can save as many locations as you'd like.

Can I share a location I found?

Yes! QiblaLocator generates shareable links with location data. When you find the Qibla direction for a location, you can copy the link from your browser's address bar (which includes latitude, longitude, and zoom level). This link will load the same location and bearing for anyone who opens it.

Does QiblaLocator work offline?

QiblaLocator can work partially offline if you've already cached the map tiles. However, features like address lookup (geocoding) and loading new map areas require an internet connection. Your saved locations will still be accessible because they're stored locally in your browser.

What coordinates does QiblaLocator use for the Kaaba?

QiblaLocator uses the coordinates: 21.4225°N, 39.8262°E, which is the widely accepted location of the Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Is my location data private?

Yes! QiblaLocator doesn't track your location or store your searches on any server. All calculations happen in your browser. Your location data remains on your device. The only data that might be transmitted is when using the address lookup feature (geocoding), which uses OpenStreetMap's public Nominatim service.

Why use this site when I have a Qibla compass app on my phone?

While compass apps are convenient, this site offers several advantages in accuracy and reliability:

True North vs Magnetic North

Most compass apps use your phone's magnetic sensor, which points to magnetic north—not true north. Magnetic north varies by location and changes over time. This site calculates using true (geographic) north, which is what you actually need for accurate prayer direction.

Magnetic Interference

Smartphone compasses can be affected by nearby electronics, metal objects, and buildings—creating errors of 5° to 20° or more. This site relies on precise mathematical calculations, not sensors, so interference has no effect.

Spherical Geometry

Compass apps typically assume a flat Earth, giving a crude approximation. This site uses geodesic calculations that account for Earth's actual shape, providing accuracy to within 0.1°.

Verification and Visualization

You can see your location on an interactive map and verify the direction is correct. If something seems off with a compass reading, you can immediately check here to confirm the true Qibla direction.

No Calibration Needed

Compass apps often require calibration ("figure-8" motions), which many people skip or do incorrectly. This site needs no calibration—it works accurately right away.

Save Multiple Locations

You can save the Qibla direction for multiple locations (home, work, mosque, travel destinations) and revisit them anytime. Most compass apps don't offer this feature.

Best practice: Use this site as your reference for accurate Qibla direction. Keep a compass app as a backup for when you're out and about without internet access.

More questions coming soon! If you have a question not covered here, please reach out through the site.