Qibla Direction in Washington, D.C., United States
The exact Qibla compass bearing for Washington, D.C. is 56.6° ENE from True North. Distance to the Holy Kaaba in Mecca is approximately 10,632 km.
77.037° W
Washington, D.C. Qibla Compass Dial
Pre-set to 56.6° (East-Northeast).
Compass shows True North (N = 0°). The needle points directly toward the Holy Kaaba in Mecca at 56.6° (East-Northeast).
Qibla Line to Mecca (Washington, D.C.)
The emerald dashed line traces the great circle geodesic flight path from Washington, D.C. (38.907°, -77.037°) directly to Al-Masjid al-Haram in Mecca.
How to Find the Qibla Direction in Washington, D.C., United States
Determining the precise Qibla direction in Washington, D.C. is essential for every Muslim performing daily prayers (Salah). The Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is the sacred direction faced during prayer. From Washington, D.C., the spherical trigonometry calculation reveals that Mecca lies at a compass heading of 56.6° (East-Northeast) clockwise from True North.
1. Finding Qibla Indoors in Washington, D.C.
When praying inside apartments, hotel rooms, or office buildings in Washington, D.C., traditional magnetic compasses can experience electromagnetic interference from steel building rebar, elevator shafts, and electronics. To ensure accurate alignment:
- Check Street Orientation: Use our interactive map above to identify how your building or street aligns relative to the emerald Qibla flight path.
- Step Away from Metal: If using a smartphone compass or handheld needle, step at least 1 meter (3 feet) away from metal desks, laptops, and concrete walls with steel reinforcement.
- Calibrate Your Sensor: Rotate your phone in a figure-8 motion in the air before taking a reading to recalibrate the magnetometer.
2. Solar & Shadow Alignment Method for Washington, D.C.
Twice a year (around May 27–28 and July 15–16), the sun passes directly over the Kaaba in Mecca at solar noon (12:18 PM and 12:27 PM Mecca time). Facing the sun at that exact moment anywhere daylight is visible provides an exact alignment with Mecca. On regular days in Washington, D.C., you can also consult our Daily Solar Qibla Finder to check the exact minute each day when shadows align directly with the Qibla line.
3. True North vs Magnetic North in Washington, D.C.
The bearing 56.6° computed on this page is measured clockwise from True (Geographic) North based on the WGS84 earth ellipsoid. Standard analog compasses align with Earth's Magnetic North Pole, which differs by local magnetic declination. Our live mobile sensor tool automatically applies geomagnetic compensation so you always face the true direction of Mecca.
Frequently Asked Questions About Qibla in Washington, D.C.
What is the exact Qibla compass angle in Washington, D.C.?▼
The exact Qibla direction in Washington, D.C., United States is 56.6° clockwise from True North. On a standard compass, this corresponds to the East-Northeast direction.
Which direction is Mecca from Washington, D.C.?▼
Mecca is located towards the East-Northeast (56.6°) from Washington, D.C.. Facing this direction will align your Salah directly with the Kaaba in Al-Masjid al-Haram.
How far is Washington, D.C. from the Kaaba in Mecca?▼
The geodesic great-circle distance from Washington, D.C. to the Kaaba in Mecca is approximately 10,632 kilometers (6,606 miles).
Can I use my mobile phone compass in Washington, D.C.?▼
Yes! Click the "Start Compass" button at the top of this page. On mobile devices with orientation sensors, this website turns into a real-time responsive Qibla compass that turns as you rotate your phone.
Washington, D.C. to Mecca Navigation Metrics
High-precision spherical parameters connecting Washington, D.C. (38.9072°, -77.0369°) directly to the Holy Kaaba.