Online Compass
Free online compass with a live dial. See your heading in degrees with cardinal directions, calibrate with a figure-8 motion, or preview any heading manually on desktop.
How does an online compass work?
It reads the magnetometer and orientation sensors of your device through the browser, converts them to a heading in degrees, and rotates a live compass dial with cardinal directions accordingly.
Why does my desktop show no heading?
Desktop computers and most laptops have no magnetometer. On such devices you can still enter any heading manually to preview it on the dial — useful for navigation planning.
How do I calibrate the compass?
Hold the device flat in your hand and move it in a horizontal figure-8 pattern a few times until the heading stabilizes. Keep away from magnets, metal objects and electronics while measuring.
What is the difference between magnetic and true north?
The sensor reports magnetic heading. True north differs by the local declination, which varies from about -20° to +30° depending on where you are on Earth.
Does the compass work with the screen facing up only?
It is most accurate with the device held flat, screen up. Tilting the device introduces sensor errors, which is also why calibration should be done flat.
Why does iOS ask for permission?
Since iOS 13 browsers must request explicit permission for motion and orientation sensors. Press "Start compass" and allow the request.
Is my location or heading sent anywhere?
No. Sensor readings are processed locally in your browser for the on-screen dial only. Nothing is recorded or uploaded.
What are the 16-point abbreviations on the dial?
N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W and NW stand for the eight principal wind directions, localized into your language, spaced every 45 degrees around the dial.
How to Use Online Compass
This online compass reads your device's magnetometer locally in the browser and rotates a live dial to your heading in degrees, with cardinal direction labels localized into your language. No location or sensor data ever leaves the device.
- Tap "Start compass" — on iOS 13+ also allow the motion permission request.
- Hold the device flat, screen up, away from magnets and metal objects.
- Move the phone in a horizontal figure-8 a few times to calibrate until the heading is stable.
- Read the heading in degrees and the localized cardinal direction under the dial.
- On desktop (no magnetometer), type any heading in the manual field to preview it on the dial.
For accurate results hold the phone flat like a real compass; tilting it upright makes the magnetometer read steeply wrong angles.
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