Charlotte, NC
54.4° from true north (NE)
Distance to the Kaaba: 11,143 km (6,924 miles).
How it is calculated
θ = atan2(sin Δλ · cos φ₂, cos φ₁ · sin φ₂ − sin φ₁ · cos φ₂ · cos Δλ)
Initial great-circle bearing to the Kaaba (21.4225° N, 39.8262° E), measured clockwise from TRUE north; distance by the haversine formula. A magnetic compass points to magnetic north, which in the US differs from true north by up to about 20°; correct for your local magnetic declination.
Qibla direction from major US cities
| City | Qibla (from true north) | Direction | Distance to Makkah |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City, NY | 58.5° | ENE | 6,404 mi (10,306 km) |
| Los Angeles, CA | 23.9° | NNE | 8,341 mi (13,424 km) |
| Chicago, IL | 48.7° | NE | 6,928 mi (11,149 km) |
| Houston, TX | 45.5° | NE | 7,813 mi (12,574 km) |
| Phoenix, AZ | 30.1° | NNE | 8,218 mi (13,225 km) |
| Philadelphia, PA | 57.7° | ENE | 6,484 mi (10,434 km) |
| San Antonio, TX | 43.2° | NE | 7,961 mi (12,812 km) |
| San Diego, CA | 25.3° | NNE | 8,400 mi (13,518 km) |
| Dallas, TX | 43.5° | NE | 7,724 mi (12,430 km) |
| Jacksonville, FL | 54.8° | NE | 7,158 mi (11,520 km) |
| Fort Worth, TX | 43.1° | NE | 7,747 mi (12,468 km) |
| San Jose, CA | 19.5° | NNE | 8,206 mi (13,206 km) |
| Austin, TX | 43.5° | NE | 7,888 mi (12,694 km) |
| Columbus, OH | 52.3° | NE | 6,823 mi (10,981 km) |
| Charlotte, NC | 54.4° | NE | 6,924 mi (11,143 km) |
| Indianapolis, IN | 50.1° | NE | 6,962 mi (11,205 km) |
| San Francisco, CA | 18.8° | NNE | 8,187 mi (13,176 km) |
| Seattle, WA | 17.6° | NNE | 7,540 mi (12,135 km) |
| Denver, CO | 35.0° | NE | 7,640 mi (12,296 km) |
| Washington, DC | 56.6° | ENE | 6,607 mi (10,633 km) |
| Nashville, TN | 50.2° | NE | 7,148 mi (11,504 km) |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 42.2° | NE | 7,616 mi (12,256 km) |
| El Paso, TX | 35.7° | NE | 8,139 mi (13,099 km) |
| Boston, MA | 60.4° | ENE | 6,215 mi (10,002 km) |
| Portland, OR | 17.5° | NNE | 7,682 mi (12,364 km) |
Why the Qibla points northeast from the United States
On a flat map Makkah looks southeast of North America, but the Earth is round. The shortest path along the Earth's surface (a great circle) from the United States to the Kaaba runs northeast, over the North Atlantic and Europe. That shortest-path direction is the Qibla shown here.
The angle is measured clockwise from true (geographic) north. A magnetic compass points to magnetic north, which in the United States differs from true north by up to about 20 degrees, east or west depending on where you are. Correct your compass for the local magnetic declination, or line up with a known true-north reference.
Questions
What is the Qibla direction in New York City, NY?
From New York City, NY the Qibla is 58.5° from true north (ENE).
Does the direction change inside a city?
Only by a fraction of a degree. Within the same city the direction is effectively the same; between distant states it can differ by more than 20 degrees.
Can I trust my phone's compass?
Phone compasses are affected by metal and electronics nearby and may show magnetic rather than true north. Calibrate the compass, keep away from metal, and compare with a fixed landmark if possible.