Qibla Direction Calculator & Spherical Geodesic Compass
Discover the definitive mathematics and Islamic geodesy behind finding the exact direction to the Holy Ka’bah (Al-Masjid al-Haram, Makkah) from any coordinate on Earth. Built upon high-precision forward azimuth spherical trigonometry ($\theta = \operatorname{atan2}(\sin\Delta\lambda, \cos\phi_1\tan\phi_K – \sin\phi_1\cos\Delta\lambda)$) and the Haversine Great-Circle distance formula, this comprehensive tool integrates live 360° smartphone gyroscope/magnetometer compass sensors with haptic vibration target lock ($\pm 2^\circ$). Learn why flat Mercator maps mislead North American worshippers into facing Southeast rather than the true spherical Northeast Great-Circle arc, explore the celestial optical phenomenon of Rasd al-Qiblah (bi-annual solar zenith shadow alignment), calibrate digital compass sensors using the figure-8 technique, and generate high-resolution 1200×630 calligraphic social cards all computed 100% client-side with complete privacy on RiazHub.com.
Universal Qibla Direction Calculator & Real-Time Sensor Compass
Compute the exact forward azimuth bearing to the Holy Ka'bah from any coordinate on Earth via spherical geodesy, live gyroscope sensor tracking, and solar shadow alignment (Rasd al-Qiblah).
🧭 Qibla Azimuth Bearing
118.9° ESE
Clockwise from True North
📏 Great-Circle Distance
4,789.2 km
2,975.8 miles to Ka'bah
🎯 Compass Alignment Status
Calibrated
Sensor Ready • Aim Reticle
⚡ Processing Engine
100% Client-Side
Zero External API Latency • Full Privacy
⚡ Quick Scenario Profiles:
📍 Geographic CoordinatesWGS-84 Datum
°N/S
°E/W
🧭 Sensor & Device CalibrationSimulator
Ka'bah Lock Tolerance:±2.0°
Magnetic Declination Offset:0.0°
📏 Unit System
Searching Alignment...
Align red needle with golden Ka'bah icon
000°
118.9° ESE
Device Heading: 000° (North)
Spherical Orthodromic Great-Circle Geodesic Arc vs Flat Rhumb Line (Loxodrome)
Great-Circle Distance (Shortest Path)
4,789.2 km
Follows spherical curvature of Earth
Rhumb Line Bearing (Flat Constant Angle)
122.4°
Mercator flat-map deviation angle
رَصْدُ الْقِبْلَة • Global Zenith Occurrences
Twice each year, the Sun reaches the exact celestial zenith over the Ka'bah (Declination = 21.42° N) at Makkah Solar Noon:
May 27–28 at 09:18 UTC | July 15–16 at 09:27 UTC
Anyone in the sunlit hemisphere observing a vertical shadow at this exact second will see it pointing precisely along the line of the Qibla.
☀️
1. Vertical Gnomon
Erect straight vertical rod in sunlight
📐
2. Cast Shadow
Shadow projects on flat horizontal ground
🕋
3. Exact Qibla
Face the sun (or opposite shadow) for Ka'bah
Today's Solar Transit Angle for Current Coordinates:
Calculating solar elevation and azimuth...
Drag or step the slider below to simulate rotating your device heading on desktop computers:
Simulated Heading: 000° (North)
📖 The Divine Injunction: Facing the Holy Ka'bah▼
فَوَلِّ وَجْهَكَ شَطْرَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ ۚ وَحَيْثُ مَا كُنتُمْ فَوَلُّوا وُجُوهَكُمْ شَطْرَهُ"So turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Haram. And wherever you [believers] may be, turn your faces toward it." — Surah Al-Baqarah (2:144)
Facing the Ka'bah is an essential condition (Shart) for the validity of the five daily Salah prayers for all Muslims capable of determining its orientation.
🌐 Spherical Geodesy vs Flat Map Projections (North America Northeast Qibla)▼
A frequent question arises regarding why Muslims in North America (e.g. New York, Chicago, Toronto) face Northeast rather than Southeast. Flat Mercator wall maps distort the 3D globe by stretching polar latitudes, making a straight flat line (Rhumb line) look shorter when it is actually hundreds of miles longer. Because the Earth is an oblate spheroid, the shortest direct path (Orthodromic Great-Circle) arcs up over Greenland toward the Arabian peninsula, requiring an initial forward azimuth bearing between 50° and 60° (Northeast).
☀️ What is Rasd al-Qiblah (رصد القبلة) and How Does it Work?▼
Because the Ka'bah is located at latitude 21.4225° N, the Sun's declination matches this exact latitude twice a year (around May 27/28 and July 15/16). When solar noon occurs in Makkah (09:18 UTC in May, 09:27 UTC in July), the Sun is positioned precisely at the celestial zenith (90° directly overhead). As a result, sunlight illuminates half the globe simultaneously, and every vertical shadow cast on Earth points directly along the great-circle corridor to the Ka'bah.
📱 How to Calibrate Smartphone Magnetometer & Compass Sensors▼
Smartphone magnetic sensors can be temporarily biased by nearby metal, electronic magnets (such as MagSafe phone cases or laptop hinges), and electrical wiring. To calibrate your phone's digital compass: hold the phone flat in your palm and move it smoothly through the air in a slow "Figure-8" motion three to four times. Ensure you stay at least 3 feet away from metal furniture or reinforced concrete pillars.
