# Qibla direction

The qibla is the direction of the Kaaba in Makkah (21.4225° N, 39.8262° E), which Muslims face in prayer. It is the great-circle bearing — the shortest path over the earth's surface — not the direction taken from a flat map. That is why the qibla from North America points north-east rather than south-east.

## Qibla bearing by city

Bearings are degrees clockwise from true north, not magnetic north.

| City | Bearing | Distance to the Kaaba | Page |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | 119° | 4794 km | https://quranonlineread.com/prayer-times/london/ |
| Birmingham | 118° | 4952 km | https://quranonlineread.com/prayer-times/birmingham/ |
| Manchester | 118.5° | 5025 km | https://quranonlineread.com/prayer-times/manchester/ |
| Bradford | 119.3° | 5014 km | https://quranonlineread.com/prayer-times/bradford/ |
| Leeds | 119.5° | 5002 km | https://quranonlineread.com/prayer-times/leeds/ |
| Leicester | 118.9° | 4915 km | https://quranonlineread.com/prayer-times/leicester/ |
| Glasgow | 118.3° | 5264 km | https://quranonlineread.com/prayer-times/glasgow/ |
| Luton | 119° | 4831 km | https://quranonlineread.com/prayer-times/luton/ |
| Sheffield | 119.2° | 4975 km | https://quranonlineread.com/prayer-times/sheffield/ |
| Nottingham | 119.2° | 4933 km | https://quranonlineread.com/prayer-times/nottingham/ |
| Blackburn | 118.4° | 5053 km | https://quranonlineread.com/prayer-times/blackburn/ |
| Liverpool | 117.6° | 5065 km | https://quranonlineread.com/prayer-times/liverpool/ |
| New York | 58.5° | 10306 km | https://quranonlineread.com/prayer-times/new-york/ |
| Chicago | 48.7° | 11146 km | https://quranonlineread.com/prayer-times/chicago/ |
| Toronto | 54.6° | 10496 km | https://quranonlineread.com/prayer-times/toronto/ |
| Los Angeles | 23.9° | 13424 km | https://quranonlineread.com/prayer-times/los-angeles/ |
| Houston | 45.5° | 12574 km | https://quranonlineread.com/prayer-times/houston/ |
| Dearborn | 51.9° | 10831 km | https://quranonlineread.com/prayer-times/dearborn/ |
| Philadelphia | 57.7° | 10434 km | https://quranonlineread.com/prayer-times/philadelphia/ |
| Dallas | 43.5° | 12430 km | https://quranonlineread.com/prayer-times/dallas/ |
| Atlanta | 52.3° | 11501 km | https://quranonlineread.com/prayer-times/atlanta/ |
| Minneapolis | 43.8° | 11236 km | https://quranonlineread.com/prayer-times/minneapolis/ |
| Montreal | 58.7° | 9998 km | https://quranonlineread.com/prayer-times/montreal/ |
| Vancouver | 16.7° | 11974 km | https://quranonlineread.com/prayer-times/vancouver/ |

## 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.

**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. 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.

## Related

- What the qibla is and how the direction is worked out: https://quranonlineread.com/learn/what-is-the-qibla/
- Prayer times and qibla by city: https://quranonlineread.com/prayer-times/

## About this page

Published by: QuranOnline
Canonical page: https://quranonlineread.com/qibla/