How to find the Qibla

The quickest way is the free Qibla finder: it uses your location to point you to the Ka'bah. If you would rather understand the methods, here they are.

1. A Qibla finder

A Qibla finder takes your location and calculates the direction to the Ka'bah, then shows it on a compass. On many phones the compass rotates live, so you simply turn until the needle points to the Qibla. It is the easiest method and works almost anywhere.

2. A compass and a bearing

Every place has a Qibla bearing — an angle measured clockwise from North. Find your city's bearing (the Qibla finder shows it), then hold a compass, face North, and turn to that angle. For example, from much of the UK the Qibla is roughly south-east.

3. The sun

Twice a year the sun passes directly over the Ka'bah. At those precise moments, anywhere the sun is visible, facing the sun is facing the Qibla. On other days, knowing roughly where the sun rises and sets can still orient you.

4. Ask where you are

In a mosque the Qibla is marked by the mihrab. In many homes and hotels in Muslim countries, a small sticker or arrow on the ceiling or a drawer shows the direction. And simply seeing which way others pray is often enough.