Qibla direction
The qibla is the direction of the Kaaba in Makkah, which Muslims face in prayer. It is the great-circle bearing — the shortest path over the earth’s surface — not the direction you would get from a flat map.
Kaaba direction from my location — step by step, and what to do when the reading looks wrong
Qibla direction by city
Each city page below gives the qibla bearing alongside its prayer timetable.
| City | Qibla bearing | Distance to the Kaaba |
|---|---|---|
| London | 119° | 4794 km |
| Birmingham | 118° | 4952 km |
| Manchester | 118.5° | 5025 km |
| Bradford | 119.3° | 5014 km |
| Leeds | 119.5° | 5002 km |
| Leicester | 118.9° | 4915 km |
| Glasgow | 118.3° | 5264 km |
| Luton | 119° | 4831 km |
| Sheffield | 119.2° | 4975 km |
| Nottingham | 119.2° | 4933 km |
| Blackburn | 118.4° | 5053 km |
| Liverpool | 117.6° | 5065 km |
| New York | 58.5° | 10306 km |
| Chicago | 48.7° | 11146 km |
| Toronto | 54.6° | 10496 km |
| Los Angeles | 23.9° | 13424 km |
| Houston | 45.5° | 12574 km |
| Dearborn | 51.9° | 10831 km |
| Philadelphia | 57.7° | 10434 km |
| Dallas | 43.5° | 12430 km |
| Atlanta | 52.3° | 11501 km |
| Minneapolis | 43.8° | 11236 km |
| Montreal | 58.7° | 9998 km |
| Vancouver | 16.7° | 11974 km |
Common questions
How is the qibla calculated?
By the great-circle bearing from your position to the Kaaba at 21.4225° N, 39.8262° E. On a globe the shortest route between two points curves, which is why the qibla from North America points north-east rather than south-east as a flat map suggests.
Why does my phone compass disagree?
Phone compasses read magnetic north, which differs from true north by up to 20° depending on where you are, and they are easily disturbed by metal, magnets and electronics. The bearing given here is from true north. Calibrate your device and move away from metal if the two disagree.
What if I cannot determine the direction?
Face the direction you judge most likely to be correct, after making a genuine effort to establish it — a compass reading, the position of the sun, or the bearing for the nearest city listed below. This site does not issue rulings; for what is required of you when the direction is uncertain, ask a qualified scholar or your local mosque.