True North vs Magnetic North for Qibla
Qibla calculations normally give an initial great-circle bearing clockwise from true north. A magnetic compass points toward magnetic north, which is not the same direction in most places.
What true north means
True north follows a meridian toward the geographic North Pole. Maps and great-circle Qibla calculations use this stable geographic reference.
What magnetic north means
Magnetic north is the direction indicated by a compass needle. The angle between magnetic and true north is called magnetic declination, and it varies by place and changes over time.
Which should you use?
Use the published Qibla bearing as a true-north bearing. If a physical compass does not automatically correct for declination, apply a current local declination value or use the map to establish a true-north reference.
Use the live Qibla finder for your exact position, or choose a published bearing from the city directory.