# gt-next: General Translation Next.js SDK: getLocaleDirection
URL: https://generaltranslation.com/en-US/docs/next/api/helpers/get-locale-direction.mdx
---
title: getLocaleDirection
description: API reference for the getLocaleDirection server-side method
---
{/* AUTO-GENERATED: Do not edit directly. Edit the template in content/docs-templates/ instead. */}
## Overview
The `getLocaleDirection` function retrieves the text direction (`'ltr'` or `'rtl'`) for the current or a specified locale during server-side rendering.
`getLocaleDirection` is a server-side method and can only be used in server components.
For client-side usage, see [`useLocaleDirection`](/docs/next/api/helpers/use-locale-direction).
## Reference
### Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `locale` | `string` (optional) | A BCP 47 locale code (e.g., `'ar'`, `'en-US'`). If omitted, the current user's locale is used. |
### Returns
- If `locale` is provided: `'ltr' | 'rtl'` — the text direction for the specified locale.
- If `locale` is omitted: `Promise<'ltr' | 'rtl'>` — a promise that resolves to the text direction for the current locale.
---
## Examples
### Get direction for the current locale
```jsx title="DirectionWrapper.jsx" copy
import { getLocaleDirection } from 'gt-next/server';
export default async function DirectionWrapper({ children }) {
const dir = await getLocaleDirection(); // [!code highlight]
return {children}
;
}
```
### Get direction for a specific locale
```jsx title="SpecificDirection.jsx" copy
import { getLocaleDirection } from 'gt-next/server';
export default function SpecificDirection() {
const dir = getLocaleDirection('ar'); // 'rtl' — no await needed [!code highlight]
return Arabic text direction: {dir}
;
}
```
---
## Notes
- When called without arguments, `getLocaleDirection` is asynchronous and must be awaited.
- When called with a locale string, it returns synchronously.
- Useful for setting the `dir` attribute on your `` or layout elements for RTL support.
## Next steps
- Learn about RTL support in the [right-to-left guide](/docs/next/guides/rtl).
- See [`useLocaleDirection`](/docs/next/api/helpers/use-locale-direction) for the client-side equivalent.