Muslims face the Kaaba in Makkah for prayer. At home in a familiar mosque the direction is obvious, but in a hotel, a new house or a foreign city it may not be. This guide explains how to find the Qibla direction using simple, reliable methods. The quickest is our free Qibla Direction Finder tool.
What is the Qibla?
The Qibla is the direction of the Kaaba in Masjid al-Haram, Makkah (about 21.42° N, 39.83° E). Muslims around the world face it in prayer.
Method 1: Online Qibla finder
Our tool uses your location to calculate the bearing to the Kaaba along the shortest path on the globe (the great circle). It shows the angle from true north and, on supported phones, a live compass.
Method 2: Phone compass
- Find your Qibla bearing (for example, about 260° from Lahore).
- Open a compass app and hold the phone flat.
- Turn until the compass reads the bearing.
Keep away from metal objects, magnets and electronics, which can disturb the compass. Calibrate by moving the phone in a figure-eight.
Method 3: Mosques and prayer rooms
Nearby mosques are built facing the Qibla. Airports, hotels and offices often mark the direction with a sign or arrow.
Method 4: The Sun
Twice a year, around 28 May and 16 July, the Sun is directly overhead the Kaaba at Dhuhr time in Makkah (about 12:18 pm Makkah time in May and 12:27 pm in July, which is two hours later in Pakistan; check with the Time Zone Converter). At that moment, shadows everywhere point directly away from the Qibla. Many people use this to check mosque directions.
Method 5: Approximate bearing from Pakistan
| City | Approximate Qibla bearing from true north |
|---|---|
| Karachi | 268° |
| Lahore | 260° |
| Islamabad | 256° |
| Peshawar | 254° |
| Quetta | 257° |
So from Pakistan, the Qibla is roughly west, slightly towards the south-west. These are rounded values; use the tool for your exact location.
True north vs magnetic north
A compass points to magnetic north, which differs slightly from true north. In Pakistan the difference is small (a couple of degrees), but online tools usually correct for it.
Small errors are forgiven
Scholars explain that facing the general direction is acceptable when exact direction is unknown and a person makes a sincere effort. Read why the Qibla from Pakistan is west.
Check Prayer Times (Namaz Timings) for your city as well.
Frequently asked questions
Which direction is Qibla in Pakistan?
Roughly west, slightly towards south-west, about 254° to 268° from true north depending on the city.
Does a phone compass work for Qibla?
Yes, if calibrated and kept away from metal and magnets.
What if I cannot find the exact Qibla?
Make a sincere effort and face the best estimate; scholars say that is acceptable.