Common Mistakes in Determining the Qibla

Most errors in finding the qibla come down to a few simple points. Knowing them will get you far more accurate results with both a phone and a classic compass.

1. Ignoring metal and magnets

A compass is seriously affected by a nearby metal table, speaker, car or magnetic phone case. Measure in the open, away from metal; remove magnetic cases.

2. An uncalibrated phone compass

A sensor left uncalibrated can drift by 10-20 degrees. Calibrate by drawing a figure-eight in the air before measuring; many phones prompt you when calibration is needed.

3. Drawing a straight line on a flat map

Because the Earth is a sphere, the qibla is not the ruler-straight line on a flat (Mercator) map; the correct direction is the initial bearing of the great-circle arc. The difference is dramatic far away: from the eastern United States the qibla is northeast, not southeast. Our site always uses the great-circle calculation.

4. Assuming the qibla is always southeast

That holds only for Türkiye and its surroundings. From Central Asia the qibla is southwest (Almaty 247°), from Moscow almost due south (176°), from Indonesia it is west. Check your city's true angle on our city pages; when in doubt, verify with the qibla hour or a mosque mihrab.