Qibla Direction in New York City

What Is the Qibla Direction from New York City?

The Qibla is the direction Muslims face when performing salah. It is toward the Kaaba, located inside Al-Masjid al-Haram in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. From the centre of New York City, the initial direction along the shortest path over the Earth is about 58.5° from true north, in the northeast sector.

The distance from central New York City to the Kaaba is approximately 10,306 kilometres (6,404 miles). This is a great-circle distance, meaning it follows the shortest route over a spherical Earth rather than a straight line on a flat map.

How to Find the Qibla in New York

1. Use your current location. Open the Qibla finder and allow location access if you want it to calculate from your device’s position.
2. Check the bearing. The city-centre estimate is around 58.5° clockwise from true north. Your location-based result may be slightly different.
3. Understand true north and magnetic north. A calculated bearing is commonly measured from true north. A regular magnetic compass points toward magnetic north, so local magnetic declination and device calibration can affect how you interpret the reading.
4. Check your surroundings. Metal objects, speakers, electronics, magnets and some phone cases can interfere with a digital compass. Move away from them and recalibrate if needed.
5. Make a reasonable effort. If you are uncertain, compare a trusted Qibla calculation with local mosque guidance. For a religious ruling about your specific circumstances, ask a knowledgeable scholar.

Open the Qibla Direction by City tool to choose a location or use the available location options. You do not need a separate calculator on this page.

About New York City and Qibla Calculations

New York City is in the northeastern United States and includes five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island. Since these boroughs cover a broad area, the direction from one neighbourhood can differ slightly from the estimate calculated for the city centre.

For this guide, the calculation uses these approximate coordinates for central New York City:

The bearing is calculated using spherical, great-circle geometry. It describes the initial direction from the selected New York reference point toward the Kaaba. It is not a driving direction, a flight path or a compass sensor reading.

Islamic Guidance About Facing the Qibla

The Qur’an instructs Muslims to turn toward the Sacred Mosque when praying. In Surah Al-Baqarah 2:144, the instruction refers to facing the direction of Al-Masjid al-Haram. Read the verse on Quran.com — Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:144.

A narration in Sahih al-Bukhari 399 also describes the change toward the Kaaba as the Qibla. You can read the narration at Sunnah.com — Sahih al-Bukhari 399.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Qibla direction from New York City?

From central New York City, the approximate Qibla bearing is 58.5° clockwise from true north, toward the northeast. The exact bearing depends on your location.

How far is the Kaaba from New York City?

The approximate great-circle distance from central New York City to the Kaaba in Makkah is 10,306 kilometres, or about 6,404 miles.

Does the Qibla direction change across New York City?

Yes, the bearing changes slightly with your exact location. A city-centre estimate is not exact for every neighbourhood or borough, so use your own coordinates for a more location-specific result.

Can I use my phone compass to find Qibla?

Yes, but phone compass readings can be affected by nearby metal, electronics and calibration. Keep your phone level, follow your device’s calibration instructions, and compare the result with a trusted Qibla tool.

Is the Qibla direction from New York northeast?

Yes. From central New York City, the initial great-circle bearing is about 58.5° from true north, which falls in the northeast sector.

What should I do if I am unsure of the Qibla?

Make a reasonable effort using a reliable Qibla calculation, a compass or guidance from a trusted local mosque. For religious rulings about a particular situation, consult a knowledgeable scholar.

Calculation Details and Sources

The bearing and distance on this page are approximate and were calculated from the reference coordinates listed above using the great-circle method. The Kaaba coordinates identify the destination reference point; the New York coordinates represent the city centre, not a visitor’s exact position.

• Qur’an 2:144: Quran.com — instruction to face Al-Masjid al-Haram.
• Sahih al-Bukhari 399: Sunnah.com — narration concerning the Qibla.
• Calculation method: Great-circle initial bearing and surface distance using the stated latitude and longitude reference points.
• City reference: Approximate central New York City coordinates: 40.7128° N, 74.0060° W.
• Kaaba reference: Approximate coordinates: 21.422487° N, 39.826206° E, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Coordinates and results are rounded for readability. Small differences may occur when another reference point, coordinate source or calculation implementation is used.