---
title: "Prayer Times Methodology"
description: "Learn how Islamic prayer times are calculated, including Fajr angles, Asr calculation methods, and high latitude adjustments. Comprehensive guide to Salat times worldwide."
canonical_url: "https://www.truthpromoters.com/help/prayer-times"
type: "help"
section: "Help Center"
keywords: "prayer times calculation, Fajr time, Asr calculation, Hanafi Asr, Islamic prayer times, Salat times, Ithna Asheri method, high latitude prayer times"
---

# Prayer Times Methodology

Understanding how Islamic prayer times are calculated for your location.

> [!WARNING]
> While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we recommend verifying times with your
> local mosque or Islamic centre. Prayer times may vary based on calculation method and local
> conditions.

## How prayer times are calculated

Islamic prayer times are determined by the position of the sun in the sky. Each of the five
daily prayers is defined by specific solar events, or by the angle of the sun below the
horizon.

Our prayer times are calculated locally using precise astronomical algorithms based on your
geographic location. We do not rely on pre-calculated timetables, so the times are accurate
for any location worldwide.

## Prayer time definitions

### Imsaak (إمساك)

Time to stop eating before Fajr when fasting. Calculated as Fajr minus 10–14 minutes.

### Fajr (فجر) — dawn prayer

When the sky begins to lighten before sunrise (true dawn).

**Calculation:** the sun is 15–19.5° below the horizon, depending on method.

### Sunrise (شروق)

When the sun appears on the horizon. Marks the end of Fajr prayer time.

### Dhuhr (ظهر) — noon prayer

When the sun passes its highest point (zenith) and begins to decline. Solar noon plus one
minute, as per tradition.

### Asr (عصر) — afternoon prayer

When an object's shadow equals its height plus the noon shadow (Standard), or twice its
height (Hanafi).

| Method | Shadow length |
|---|---|
| **Standard** (Shafi'i / Shia) | Shadow = 1× object height |
| **Hanafi** | Shadow = 2× object height |

### Maghrib (مغرب) — sunset prayer

When the sun fully sets below the horizon.

| Method | Definition |
|---|---|
| **Sunni methods** | At sunset (0.833° below the horizon) |
| **Shia** (Ithna Asheri) | 4° below the horizon (~15 minutes after sunset) |

### Isha (عشاء) — night prayer

When the twilight disappears. The sun is 14–18° below the horizon, depending on method.

### Midnight

The end time for Isha prayer.

| Method | Definition |
|---|---|
| **Standard** | Midpoint from sunset to sunrise |
| **Jafari** (Shia) | Midpoint from Maghrib to Fajr |

## Calculation methods

Different Islamic organisations use different twilight angles. We support ten methods
worldwide. Our default is **Ithna Asheri (Shia)**.

| Method | Fajr | Isha | Commonly used in |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Ithna Asheri (Shia)** — *our default* | 16° | 14° | Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Bahrain |
| ISNA | 15° | 15° | North America |
| Muslim World League | 18° | 17° | Europe, Far East |
| Egyptian Authority | 19.5° | 17.5° | Africa, Malaysia |
| Umm al-Qura | 18.5° | 90 min after Maghrib | Saudi Arabia |
| Karachi | 18° | 18° | Pakistan, India, Bangladesh |
| Tehran | 17.7° | 14° | Iran |

The Ithna Asheri method also places Maghrib at 4° below the horizon rather than at sunset.

## High latitude adjustments

Above roughly 48° north or south, the sun may not descend far enough below the horizon for
normal twilight angles to occur at all, especially during summer. We offer three adjustment
methods.

| Adjustment | How it works |
|---|---|
| **Middle of the night** | Fajr and Isha are placed equidistant from midnight when twilight does not occur |
| **One-seventh of the night** | Fajr is 1/7 of the night before sunrise; Isha is 1/7 of the night after sunset |
| **Angle-based** | A modified formula based on the angle and the available night duration |

## Why prayer times may differ between sources

- **Different calculation methods** — each uses different twilight angles.
- **Asr calculation** — Standard versus Hanafi shadow ratios.
- **Maghrib timing** — at sunset, versus delayed as in the Shia method.
- **High latitude adjustments** — different approaches in the far north and south.
- **Local conventions** — some mosques add safety margins.
- **Altitude** — higher elevations see sunrise earlier.

## Our recommendations

1. **Choose your method** based on your school of thought or your local mosque's practice.
2. **Verify with local sources** for important prayers, especially Fajr and Maghrib.
3. **Use time adjustments** if your local mosque has slightly different times.
4. **Enable notifications** so you never miss a prayer time.

## Related topics

- [Hijri Calendar Guide](https://www.truthpromoters.com/help/hijri-calendar) — Moon sighting, Unity of Horizon, and how we determine Islamic dates
- [Push Notifications Guide](https://www.truthpromoters.com/help/notifications) — Set up reminders for prayer times, events, and calendar dates