This online compass reads the magnetic sensor in your phone or tablet through the browser and shows your heading in degrees and the nearest direction. It needs a device with a compass sensor, so it works on most phones and tablets but not on laptops or desktops. On iPhone you must allow motion and orientation access when asked. It shows magnetic north, not true north.
| Shows | Heading in degrees, with N, NE, E and so on |
|---|---|
| North | Magnetic north, not true north |
| Needs | A phone or tablet with a compass sensor; motion access on iPhone |
| Privacy | Sensor data stays in the page and is never sent or stored |
By Ship AI Lab. Last updated .
How a browser compass works
Phones contain a magnetometer, a sensor that measures the strength and direction of the magnetic field around it. A web page can ask the browser for the phone’s orientation, and when the device reports an absolute orientation, the page can turn that into a heading measured clockwise from magnetic north.
Safari on iPhone and iPad keeps this behind a permission prompt, so the page has to ask when you press Start. Chrome on Android reports it directly. Laptops and desktops usually have no magnetometer, which is why the page tells you when no sensor is found.
Magnetic north is not true north
A compass needle points to magnetic north, which is not the same place as the geographic North Pole. The angle between the two is called magnetic declination, and it changes from place to place and slowly over time. A phone compass shows magnetic north, so for map work you may need to correct for declination where you are.
Metal, magnets, speakers, car bodies and electronics near the phone all bend the reading. Hold the phone flat, step away from large metal objects, and turn slowly through a figure of eight if the reading looks wrong.
How to use the online compass
- Open this page on your phoneUse Safari on iPhone or Chrome on Android. Laptops and desktops do not have a compass sensor.
- Press Start and allow accessOn iPhone, tap Allow when asked for motion and orientation access.
- Hold the phone flat and turnThe dial turns and the top number is the direction the top of the phone points.
What this compass cannot do
- It shows magnetic north. It does not correct for declination, so it can differ from a map’s true north.
- It will not work without a compass sensor, so desktops and many laptops show a message instead.
- Anything magnetic nearby, such as a case with a magnet, a car or steel beams, will bend the reading.
- It is for reference. Do not rely on it for navigation where your safety depends on it.
Online Compass questions, answered
How do I use an online compass?
Open the page on a phone, press Start and allow motion access if asked. Hold the phone flat and turn: the dial and the number show the direction the top of the phone points.
Why does the online compass not work on my computer?
Laptops and desktops usually have no magnetometer, which is the sensor that makes a compass work. Open the page on a phone or tablet.
Is the online compass accurate?
It is as good as your phone’s sensor. Keep the phone flat, away from metal and magnets, and turn in a figure of eight if it looks off. It shows magnetic north, not true north.
What is the difference between magnetic and true north?
Magnetic north is where a compass needle points, and true north is the geographic North Pole. The angle between them is called declination and varies by place.
Does the page track me?
No. Sensor readings stay in the page, and nothing is recorded or sent anywhere.