Prayer Time Calculator

Calculate daily Salah times (Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha) based on your location and preferred method using our Prayer Time Calculator.

Calculate Prayer Times

Prayer times for the selected date.

Prayer	Time
Fajr	–:–
Sunrise	–:–
Dhuhr	–:–
Asr	–:–
Maghrib	–:–
Isha	–:–

What is a Prayer Time Calculator?

A prayer time calculator is a tool used by Muslims to determine the prescribed times for the five daily prayers (Salah): Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha. These times are determined by the position of the sun relative to a specific location on Earth. The prayer time calculator uses astronomical formulas to calculate these times based on latitude, longitude, date, timezone, and a chosen calculation method.

Anyone who needs to know the exact prayer times for their location should use a prayer time calculator, especially when traveling or living in areas where the call to prayer (Adhan) is not audible. It’s essential for fulfilling the religious obligation of praying at the correct times.

Common misconceptions include the idea that prayer times are the same everywhere or only change slightly. In reality, prayer times vary significantly based on geographical location and the time of year due to the Earth’s tilt and orbit around the sun. A prayer time calculator accurately reflects these variations.

Prayer Time Calculator Formula and Mathematical Explanation

The calculation of prayer times is based on spherical astronomy. The primary factor is the solar zenith angle, which is the angle between the sun and the vertical line directly above the observer.

1. Julian Date (JD): The date is first converted into a Julian Date, which is the number of days since noon on January 1, 4713 BC.
2. Sun’s Position: Using the JD, the sun’s ecliptic longitude, right ascension, and declination (δ) are calculated. The Equation of Time (EoT), which accounts for the difference between mean solar time and apparent solar time, is also determined.
3. Solar Noon (Dhuhr/Zawwal): This is the time when the sun is at its highest point in the sky. It’s calculated as 12:00 – EoT (in hours) – longitude/15 + timezone.
4. Sunrise and Sunset (Maghrib): These occur when the center of the sun is approximately 0.833 degrees below the horizon (accounting for atmospheric refraction and the sun’s radius). The hour angle (H) is calculated using: cos(H) = (cos(Zenith) – sin(Latitude) * sin(δ)) / (cos(Latitude) * cos(δ)). For sunrise/sunset, Zenith = 90.833°.
5. Fajr and Isha: These are defined by specific solar depression angles below the horizon, which vary by calculation method (e.g., 15°, 18°, etc.). The formula for H is used with the respective zenith angle for Fajr and Isha.
6. Asr: The time for Asr depends on the length of the shadow cast by an object. For the Standard (Shafii, Maliki, Hanbali) method, it’s when the shadow length is equal to the object’s height plus the shadow length at noon. For Hanafi, it’s when the shadow length is twice the object’s height plus the shadow at noon. This translates to a specific solar angle calculated using the cotangent function involving latitude and declination.
7. Time Conversion: Hour angles are converted into time from noon, and then adjusted to local time using the timezone.

Variables used in the prayer time calculator.

Variable	Meaning	Unit	Typical Range
Latitude (φ)	Observer’s latitude	Degrees	-90 to +90
Longitude (λ)	Observer’s longitude	Degrees	-180 to +180
Date	Current date	Date	N/A
Timezone (TZ)	Offset from UTC	Hours	-12 to +14
Sun Declination (δ)	Sun’s angular distance from celestial equator	Degrees	-23.45 to +23.45
Equation of Time (EoT)	Difference between apparent and mean solar time	Minutes	-16 to +14
Hour Angle (H)	Angular distance of the sun east or west of local meridian	Degrees	Varies
Zenith Angle (Z)	Angle between sun and vertical	Degrees	Varies

Our prayer time calculator implements these formulas to provide accurate times.

Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)

Example 1: London, UK

• Latitude: 51.5074° N
• Longitude: 0.1278° W
• Date: 15th July 2024
• Timezone: +1 (BST)
• Method: MWL
• Asr Method: Standard

Using a prayer time calculator with these inputs, you would get specific times for Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha for London on that day. For instance, Dhuhr would be around 1:08 PM, and Asr (Standard) around 5:28 PM (times are approximate and depend on the exact day and calculator). This helps a Muslim in London plan their day around the prayer schedule.

Example 2: Jakarta, Indonesia

• Latitude: 6.2088° S
• Longitude: 106.8456° E
• Date: 20th January 2025
• Timezone: +7
• Method: Egyptian
• Asr Method: Hanafi

A prayer time calculator for Jakarta would show different times compared to London due to the different location and date. Fajr would be very early, and the duration between prayers would also differ. This demonstrates the location and date dependency of prayer times.

How to Use This Prayer Time Calculator

1. Enter Latitude and Longitude: Input the latitude and longitude of your location. You can find these using online maps. North latitudes and East longitudes are positive.
2. Select Date: Choose the date for which you need the prayer times.
3. Set Timezone: Enter your local timezone as an offset from UTC.
4. Choose Calculation Method: Select a calculation method from the dropdown. Different methods use different angles for Fajr and Isha. ISNA and MWL are common in North America and Europe, while others are used elsewhere. If you select “Custom”, enter the Fajr and Isha angles.
5. Select Asr Method: Choose between Standard (for most schools of thought) or Hanafi.
6. Calculate: Click “Calculate” or observe the results update as you change inputs (after the initial calculation).
7. Read Results: The calculator will display the times for Fajr, Sunrise, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha, along with intermediate values like sun declination and solar noon. The times are also shown in a table and a chart.

The primary result (Dhuhr time) is highlighted. Use these times to perform your prayers accordingly. The chart helps visualize the prayer times distribution throughout the day.

Key Factors That Affect Prayer Time Calculator Results

1. Latitude: Your north-south position significantly affects the sun’s path and thus prayer times, especially Fajr and Isha at higher latitudes.
2. Longitude: Your east-west position determines the timing of solar noon (Dhuhr) relative to UTC.
3. Date of the Year: The Earth’s tilt causes the sun’s declination to change throughout the year, leading to variations in the length of the day and prayer times.
4. Timezone: This converts the UTC-based calculations to your local time. Incorrect timezone will give incorrect local times.
5. Calculation Method: Different methods use different angles for Fajr and Isha, leading to variations of several minutes, especially for these two prayers.
6. Asr Juristic Method: The Hanafi method for Asr results in a later Asr time compared to the Standard method.
7. Altitude: Higher altitudes can slightly affect sunrise and sunset times, though most calculators assume sea level unless specified.
8. Atmospheric Refraction: The bending of light by the atmosphere is accounted for, especially around sunrise and sunset.

Understanding these factors helps appreciate why a precise prayer time calculator is necessary for accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Why do different prayer time calculators give slightly different times?

A: Differences usually arise from the calculation method (Fajr/Isha angles), Asr method, rounding, or slight variations in the astronomical formulas used. Our prayer time calculator allows you to select common methods.

Q: What if I am in a very high latitude region (near the poles)?

A: In extreme latitudes, during certain times of the year, the sun may not set or rise, or twilight may persist. Special methods (like angle-based or nearest latitude/day) are needed, which some advanced calculators provide, but this one uses standard angle calculations which might be less suitable at extremes.

Q: How accurate is this prayer time calculator?

A: It uses standard astronomical formulas and well-known calculation methods, making it quite accurate for most locations. However, local sightings or mosque schedules should also be consulted if available.

Q: Can I use this prayer time calculator offline?

A: If you save this HTML page, you can use the calculator offline in your browser as the calculations are done via JavaScript within the page.

Q: What does “Solar Noon (Zawwal)” mean?

A: Solar noon is when the sun is at its highest point in the sky for the day. Dhuhr time starts just after solar noon.

Q: Why is Maghrib time slightly after sunset?

A: Maghrib begins when the entire disk of the sun has set below the horizon. The calculator accounts for the sun’s radius and atmospheric refraction.

Q: Which calculation method should I use?

A: It’s best to use the method followed by your local mosque or community. If unsure, MWL and ISNA are widely used, but local consensus is preferred.

Q: Does this prayer time calculator account for Daylight Saving Time (DST)?

A: You need to manually adjust the Timezone input to reflect DST. If your region is in DST, add 1 hour to your standard timezone offset (e.g., if standard is +5, use +6 during DST).