Online Compass — Find North, South, East & West Free
Use a free online compass in your browser — no app download needed. Uses your device's built-in magnetometer to show direction, bearing and cardinal points (N, S, E, W). Works on mobile and desktop.
Last updated: June 2026
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Live compass
Use your device's magnetometer for a real, moving heading.
For accuracy, move your phone in a figure-8 a few times and keep it away from magnets and metal.
Manual heading
desktopCardinal points
How the online compass works
This online compass turns your device into a working direction finder. On a phone or tablet it reads the built-in magnetometer through the browser's device-orientation API, so the dial moves in real time as you rotate — exactly like a physical needle compass, but with a precise degree readout. Because modern browsers gate sensor access for privacy, you'll be asked to grant permission the first time; on iOS you also tap “Enable live compass” to start the sensor. The page must be served over HTTPS, which crisptoolhub.com always is.
Most laptops and desktops don't have a magnetometer, so the tool drops into manual mode: type a heading from 0° to 359°, drag the slider, or click a cardinal button to rotate the dial by hand. That's useful for orienting a map, sketching a floor plan, aligning solar panels or satellite dishes, or teaching the cardinal directions — North (0°), East (90°), South (180°) and West (270°), with the intercardinal points NE, SE, SW and NW at the 45° marks.
Use it for quick hiking, navigation and direction-finding when you don't have a dedicated compass to hand. Keep in mind the difference between magnetic north, where the needle points, and true north, the geographic pole — the gap between them is called magnetic declination and varies by location. For casual use the magnetic heading is fine; for precise navigation, adjust for your local declination.
Like every CrispToolHub tool, the compass is 100% private: the sensor reading stays on your device, nothing is uploaded or stored, and once the page has loaded it works offline. There's no app to install, no account, and no tracking of your location or heading.
How it works
Three quick steps — no account, nothing uploaded to a server.
Allow device orientation access
On a phone, tap to enable the live compass and grant motion/orientation permission when prompted.
Hold your device flat and level
Keep your phone parallel to the ground, away from magnets and metal, for the steadiest reading.
Read your heading direction
Watch the dial show your live magnetic heading and cardinal direction as you turn.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How does the online compass work?
On a phone or tablet, the compass reads your device's built-in magnetometer through the browser's orientation sensor and shows a live heading that moves as you turn. On a desktop without a magnetometer, it switches to manual mode so you can set a heading by hand and read off the cardinal direction. Everything runs in your browser — no app to install.
Can I use the compass on desktop?
Yes. Most laptops and desktops have no magnetometer, so the tool automatically falls back to a manual dial. Type a heading in degrees (0–359) or click N, E, S or W and the dial rotates to match, which is handy for orienting maps, floor plans or solar-panel layouts.
How accurate is the browser compass?
Accuracy depends on your device's magnetometer and its calibration. Phones are usually accurate to within a few degrees once calibrated, but nearby magnets, metal, speakers or a phone case with a magnetic clasp can skew the reading. Move your phone in a figure-8 a few times to recalibrate if the heading drifts.
Why isn't my compass working on mobile?
Browsers require a secure (HTTPS) connection and your explicit permission to read motion and orientation sensors. On iOS you must tap Enable live compass and allow access when prompted. If your device has no magnetometer, or permission is denied, the tool stays in manual mode instead.
What is magnetic declination?
Magnetic declination is the angle between magnetic north (where a compass points) and true north (the geographic North Pole). It varies by location and slowly over time. This compass shows magnetic heading; for precise navigation, adjust for your local declination, which you can look up by your coordinates.