How are prayer times calculated?
Each time is tied to the sun’s position: Fajr when the sun is a set angle below the horizon before sunrise, Dhuhr just after the sun passes its highest point, Asr when an object’s shadow equals its length plus its noon shadow (twice its length for Hanafis), Maghrib after sunset, and Isha when twilight disappears. The calculator works out the sun’s position for each day and city with standard astronomical formulas.
The official methods in Egypt and Saudi Arabia
| Country | Authority | Fajr | Isha |
|---|---|---|---|
| Egypt | Egyptian General Authority of Survey (and Dar al-Ifta) | Sun 19.5° below the horizon | Sun 17.5° below the horizon |
| Saudi Arabia | Umm al-Qura calendar | Sun 18.5° below the horizon | 90 minutes after Maghrib (120 in Ramadan) |
How accurate is it?
We compared our times with Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta official table for Cairo for every day of September 2026 (180 times): 154 matched exactly and the rest were 1 minute off. Against the Egyptian General Authority of Survey table for 15 governorates, 81 of 90 times matched exactly and the rest were 1 minute off. The difference comes from rounding to the nearest minute and slightly different city-centre coordinates.
Why not every country?
In countries such as the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar the official authorities add their own safety minutes to some prayers. We add a country only once our times match its official timetable, so the times here stay reliable. Meanwhile the Qibla direction works anywhere in the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Fajr and Imsak?
Imsak in Ramadan is a few minutes before Fajr as a precaution. Fasting begins at the Fajr adhan, and the times here are the Fajr adhan itself. Because a calculation can differ from the official timetable by a minute, allow two minutes before the listed Fajr and after Maghrib when fasting.
Why does our mosque call the adhan a minute or two differently?
Some mosques add precautionary minutes or use a timetable with slightly different coordinates. A small difference is normal; follow your mosque.
When is Asr for Hanafis?
When an object’s shadow is twice its length (plus the noon shadow), so it comes later than the majority time — about an hour, depending on the season. Choose it in the “Asr” box if you follow the Hanafi school.
What about night prayer?
Work out the last third and the middle of the night with the last third of the night calculator, and find the Qibla with the Qibla calculator.
Sources
- Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta: prayer times, and the Egyptian General Authority of Survey: prayer times (Arabic).
- Calculation method parameters (Umm al-Qura, Egyptian Authority): PrayTimes.org.