Qibla Direction in Istanbul
The Qibla direction in Istanbul is 151.6° measured clockwise from true north, towards the south-southeast. The Kaaba in Mecca is about 2,405 km away.
How to face the Qibla in Istanbul
- Face north, then turn clockwise by 151.6°. You will be facing south-southeast, towards the Kaaba.
- Or use the compass above: choose Istanbul, press Enable compass on your phone and turn until the Kaaba lines up with the marker.
- Place your prayer mat so that your feet and chest face that direction.
Check the Qibla with the sun in Istanbul
Twice a year the sun stands straight above the Kaaba: around 27 or 28 May at 09:18 UTC, and around 15 or 16 July at 09:27 UTC. At that moment, wherever the sun is up, the shadow of an upright stick points exactly away from the Qibla.
In Istanbul that is about 12:18 local time (UTC+03:00) in late May, and 12:27 in mid-July. The sun is then about 68° above the horizon, so you can mark the shadow of a stick or a plumb line on level ground and compare it with your compass.
Qibla questions
What is the Qibla direction in Istanbul?
From Istanbul the Qibla is 151.6° from true north, which is south-southeast. The Kaaba is about 2,405 km away.
How do I find the Qibla in Istanbul with my phone?
Open the Qibla finder on this page, choose Istanbul or allow your location, press Enable compass and turn until the Kaaba lines up with the marker at the top.
Is the angle from true north or magnetic north?
From true north. Phone compasses show magnetic north, which can differ by a few degrees depending on where you are.