We are excited to introduce a new tool on our website: the Qibla Finder. This feature helps you find the direction of the Kaaba in Makkah from wherever you are, using your device compass with optional spoken audio guidance.
What It Does
The Qibla Finder calculates the exact compass direction from your current location to the Kaaba in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. On a phone or tablet with a compass sensor, the on-screen compass rotates in real time as you turn your device. When you are facing the Qibla direction, the compass highlights and the audio guidance confirms alignment.
On a desktop computer or laptop without a compass sensor, the page displays the exact bearing angle and cardinal direction so you can orient yourself using a physical compass or a separate app.
Audio Guidance for Accessibility
What makes our Qibla Finder different from others is its accessibility. Most Qibla apps rely on a visual compass image, which is not useful for someone who cannot see the screen. Our tool includes an optional audio guidance mode that speaks directional cues as you rotate your device.
When audio guidance is enabled, the tool tells you which way to turn and by how much. You will hear cues like:
- "Turn right, 45 degrees off."
- "Almost there, turn slightly left."
- "You are now facing Qibla!"
The audio guidance is off by default and can be toggled with the "Enable Audio Guidance" button on the page. This ensures it does not interfere with your screen reader. If you use a screen reader like VoiceOver or NVDA, the tool announces significant direction changes through the standard screen reader channel, separate from the audio guidance, and only when there is a meaningful update to avoid overwhelming your screen reader with constant announcements.
Finding Your Location
The Qibla Finder needs your location to calculate the correct direction. There are three ways to provide it:
- Automatic detection: If you have previously used our Prayer Times page and shared your location, the Qibla Finder will use that saved location automatically.
- Use My Location button: Press the "Use My Location" button and your browser will ask for permission to access your location. Before the browser prompt appears, we explain why your location is needed and confirm that it is never stored on our servers.
- Manual entry: Enter your city and country name in the Location Settings panel. The tool looks up the coordinates for you. For example, entering "Apple Valley" and "United States" will correctly find Apple Valley, Minnesota.
Once your location is set, the page displays your city name, the compass bearing to Makkah, and the distance in kilometers.
How to Use It
You can access the Qibla Finder in several ways:
- From the main navigation menu under Islamic Tools.
- From the Islamic Tools page.
- From the "Find Qibla Direction" link at the bottom of the Prayer Times page.
- Directly at gablvm.org/qibla.
On iOS Devices
If you are using an iPhone or iPad, iOS requires you to tap a button before your device compass can be accessed. When you visit the Qibla Finder on iOS, you will see a "Tap to Enable Compass" button. After tapping it and granting permission, the compass will begin tracking your device orientation.
Why We Built This
Knowing the Qibla direction is essential for every Muslim, whether for daily prayers, making dua, or other acts of worship. Most existing Qibla apps are designed around visual compass displays that assume the user can see the screen. We wanted to build something that works just as well eyes-free as it does visually.
This tool joins our existing collection of accessible Islamic tools, alongside the Quran Player, Prayer Times, and Islamic Calendar. All of these tools are designed and tested for screen reader compatibility from the start.
If you have feedback or suggestions for the Qibla Finder or any of our tools, please reach out to us at [email protected].