Online Compass
A free digital compass that runs right in your browser. See your heading in real time, find north, and orient yourself — no download, no account, no tracking.
Digital Compass
Tap Enable to grant magnetometer access and read your heading in real time.
Enable Compass
Authorize browser magnetometer access to receive live real-time heading.
Reading your heading and finding direction
Whether you need to find north on a hike or check which way a window faces, here is how the compass works and how to read it.
How to use the compass and read your heading
Hold your phone flat and tap "Enable Compass." Rotate slowly on the spot: the dial pivots in real time and the large digital readout shows your exact heading in degrees (0° to 359°).
The dial is built around the cardinal points: North (N) at 0° or 360°, East (E) at 90°, South (S) at 180°, and West (W) at 270°. When the indicator reads 0° and the letter N, the top of your device points north.
Magnetic North vs. True North
A compass can refer to two different reference points:
- Magnetic North: the direction your phone's magnetometer detects from the Earth's magnetic field.
- True North (geographic): the direction toward the geographic North Pole, where lines of longitude converge.
The gap between the two is called magnetic declination. The compass calculates this declination using the World Magnetic Model (WMM) and your approximate position, then lets you toggle between the two modes with a single tap.
Using on phone vs. computer
- On phone or tablet: these devices have a built-in magnetometer. On iPhone (Safari), confirm the sensor-access prompt. On Android (Chrome, Firefox), access is usually granted automatically.
- On desktop: without a physical magnetometer, live orientation is not available. You can drag the interactive dial to preview directions, or scan the QR code to open the compass on your phone.
Tips for better accuracy
- Stay away from metal: keep the device clear of magnets, speakers, and magnetic phone cases.
- Recalibrate if needed: if the heading seems stuck or offset, wave the phone in a figure-8 pattern to recalibrate the internal sensors.
- Common uses: checking sun exposure of a room, aligning solar panels, or orienting a hiking map.
Frequently asked questions
How do I use the online compass?▼
How do I find north?▼
Can I use the compass on my phone?▼
Can I use the compass on a computer?▼
What do the degrees and heading mean?▼
Does the compass need sensor permission or calibration?▼
What is the difference between Magnetic North and True North?▼
No tracking pixels. No analytics. No account. Sensor data stays only in this browser tab.
Tools in this suite
Pair the compass with other browser-based tools: check if a surface is level with the spirit level, measure slope angles with the inclinometer, calibrate a real-size screen ruler, or track the sun with the sun compass and moon position.
Online Ruler
Measure objects in centimeters, millimeters, and inches directly on your screen. Calibrate once for real-size physical measurement.
Online Spirit Level
Check if a surface is level directly in your browser. This digital spirit level reads your device's tilt sensors in real time, without installation.
Online Inclinometer
Measure the slope of any surface in degrees, grade percentage, rise/run ratio, and roof pitch — directly in your browser.
Sun Compass
See where the Sun is relative to where you're facing. Live solar azimuth, altitude, sunrise, sunset, solar noon, golden hour, and day length.
Moon Position
Where is the Moon in the sky right now? See its direction, altitude, phase, illumination, moonrise and moonset times, and upcoming lunar events.
What does not happen
No tracking pixels. No analytics. No account. Sensor data and your calibration stay only in this browser tab.