What the Qibla angle means
A Qibla angle is the initial direction from your location to the Kaaba, measured clockwise from true north. An angle of 0° is north, 90° east, 180° south and 270° west. It is more precise than a broad label such as west or north-east.
Read compass degrees
- 0° means north.
- 90° means east.
- 180° means south.
- 270° means west.
- A value between them gives a more exact direction.
True north and magnetic north
The calculated Qibla bearing is based on geographic, or true, north. A magnetic compass points toward magnetic north. The difference is called magnetic declination and varies by place and time. A phone may compensate for it, but browser sensor behavior differs by device.
Why apps can show different numbers
Some services display a true bearing, others display an adjusted magnetic angle, and some label a broad direction only. Always check what the number is measured from before comparing two results.
Questions and answers
What degree is Qibla on a compass?
It depends on your location. Use the calculated angle from your coordinates and measure it clockwise from true north.
Is Qibla exactly west?
Only in some places. Even where the general direction is west, the exact bearing may be slightly north or south of west.