RubanTools

Direction Finder

Find North, South, East and West instantly - using your device compass or the manual direction selector.

Live Direction Finder
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S
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Tap Start to use your device compass


Vastu Directions

N
North

Kuber zone - wealth and prosperity. Best direction for main entrance and study room. Ruled by Mercury (Budh).

E
East

Indra zone - health and vitality. Sunrise direction. Ideal for main door, living room. Ruled by Sun (Surya).

S
South

Yama zone - stability and strength. Good for master bedroom and storage. Avoid main entrance. Ruled by Mars.

W
West

Varuna zone - creativity and stability. Good for dining, children's room. Ruled by Saturn (Shani).

Direction Finder Online Compass

Finding cardinal directions accurately is essential for Vastu Shastra compliance, trekking, property orientation, religious prayer facing (Muslims face Qibla - roughly northwest in India; Hindus performing Surya Namaskar face east at sunrise) and emergency navigation. Magnetic compasses have been used in India since at least the 11th century CE, as documented in the Siddhanta Shiromani by Bhaskaracharya II. Modern smartphones integrate a magnetometer sensor (typically a 3-axis Hall-effect sensor) that detects the Earth's magnetic field with an accuracy of plus or minus 2-5 degrees - sufficient for most everyday directional needs.

Vastu and Direction in Indian Architecture

Vastu Shastra, the ancient Indian system of spatial science first codified in texts like the Manasara (roughly 5th-7th century CE), assigns specific qualities to the eight directions and prescribes optimal placement of rooms, doors, kitchens and prayer spaces. The north is considered auspicious (associated with Kubera, the god of wealth), the northeast (Ishaan corner) is sacred, and the southwest is associated with stability. Architects, interior designers and home buyers across India - especially in South India where Vastu compliance is highly prioritised - regularly use compass tools to orient floor plans and entrance doors correctly.

How This Tool Works

On supported devices (most Android phones and newer iPhones), this tool uses the Web DeviceOrientation API to read the magnetometer in real time and display the compass heading in degrees. On desktop or unsupported devices, you can manually select from the eight cardinal and intercardinal directions (N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW) to understand their significance. No location data is collected or transmitted.

Direction Finder Questions

Our direction finder uses the DeviceOrientation API in modern browsers to access your device's built-in compass sensor. On iOS it requests explicit permission first. Once granted, the compass shows your heading in real-time in degrees and as a cardinal direction (N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW). If your device lacks a compass sensor, use the manual direction selector.

In Vastu Shastra, each of the eight directions has a specific energy zone and ruling deity. North is Kuber's zone (wealth), East is Indra's zone (health), Northeast is the sacred Ishanya corner, and Southwest is the earth/stability zone (ideal for master bedroom). Knowing the exact facing direction of your plot, main entrance, bedroom and kitchen helps you assess Vastu compliance and apply the correct remedies.

North is one of the most auspicious directions in Vastu - it is the zone of Kuber, the deity of wealth and prosperity. A north-facing main entrance is excellent for attracting financial growth. The north zone should be kept open and free of heavy furniture. Placing a Kuber yantra or money plant on the north wall enhances this directional energy. North is ruled by the planet Mercury (Budh).

Without a compass: use the sun (rises in East, sets in West, due South at noon in India); find Polaris (North Star) at night - it is always due North; or use a shadow stick (place a stick in the ground, mark the shadow tip in morning and evening - the line runs East-West). Google Maps and smartphone GPS apps also show compass headings.

The 8 Vastu directions: North (Kuber - wealth), Northeast (Ishanya - sacred and spiritual), East (Indra - health), Southeast (Agni - fire and energy), South (Yama - stability), Southwest (Nairutya - earth element, master bedroom), West (Varuna - creativity) and Northwest (Vayu - air and movement). Each is associated with a ruling deity, planet, element, and ideal room type in Vastu Shastra.