About Online Compass
Online Compass is a free directional compass that runs entirely in your web browser. Point your phone and it shows your heading in degrees and cardinal directions, reading magnetic north straight from your device’s built-in sensor, no app to download, no account to create, and nothing installed.
Why we built it
The goal is a browser compass with a readable heading, no installation and local sensor processing. The tool includes magnetic declination, a sun-position reference when location is allowed, and a separate Vastu page that distinguishes room location from facing direction.
How it works, in short
Modern phones and tablets contain a magnetometer that senses the Earth’s magnetic field. Online Compass reads this sensor through your browser’s standard motion and orientation APIs and turns it into a live heading. When you share your location, it also calculates your local magnetic declination using the World Magnetic Model so it can show a true-north-corrected reading, not just magnetic north.
Privacy first
Compass headings, orientation and precise coordinates are processed in your browser and are not included in our analytics events. Website delivery, Google Analytics, advertising services and Cloudflare analytics involve network requests and may process browser information. Local sensor processing does not mean the whole website makes no data requests. Read the privacy policy for those distinctions.
How the tool is checked
Software checks cover sensor-event handling, magnetic-to-true conversion, missing sensors and permission failures. They do not establish physical heading accuracy on a particular phone. The accuracy and device-testing page explains current verification, browser requirements and a repeatable comparison method.
Publisher and editorial responsibility
Online Compass is published under the Online Compass name. Product questions, factual corrections and requests about the site can be sent to [email protected]. Guides describe this tool and its limitations; they do not imply professional surveying or navigation certification.
A note on accuracy
Online Compass is designed to be as accurate as your device’s sensor allows, but a phone compass is not a survey instrument. Please don’t rely on it as your sole means of navigation for aviation, marine, wilderness or any safety-critical activity. Calibrate regularly, keep clear of magnets and metal, and cross-check when it matters.