Updated 27 October 2026 · 5 min read
During Ramadan two prayer times shape the whole day: Fajr, when the fast begins, and Maghrib, when it ends. This guide explains how they are set, what “imsak” means, and why the month starts on different days in different places.
Suhoor and imsak
Suhoor is the pre-dawn meal. Eating and drinking must stop by the start of Fajr (true dawn). Many timetables also print an imsak time, typically about 10 minutes before Fajr, as a precaution so that people finish in good time. Imsak is a widely followed custom rather than a separate start time; the fast itself begins at Fajr.
Iftar at Maghrib
The fast ends at Maghrib, which is sunset. This is the same in every calculation method, so Iftar times agree between timetables far more closely than Suhoor times, which depend on the Fajr angle. See calculation methods for why Fajr varies.
Isha and Taraweeh
Taraweeh prayers follow Isha. Under the Umm al-Qura method used in Saudi Arabia, Isha is normally 90 minutes after Maghrib but moves to 120 minutes during Ramadan. NextSalahClock applies this rule automatically on Ramadan dates whenever Umm al-Qura is the selected method.
How long is the fast?
Fast length depends on latitude and season. Ramadan 1448 is predicted to fall in February and March 2027. Predicted fast lengths from Fajr to Maghrib over the month (Muslim World League method):
| City | Shortest fast | Longest fast |
|---|---|---|
| Oslo | 10h 47m | 12h 56m |
| London | 11h 28m | 13h 10m |
| Toronto | 11h 49m | 13h 08m |
| Makkah | 12h 35m | 13h 05m |
| Jakarta | 13h 20m | 13h 33m |
| Sydney | 14h 00m | 15h 04m |
Northern cities see the biggest change across the month because days lengthen quickly in late winter. In the southern hemisphere it is late summer, so fasts are longer. Ramadan moves about 11 days earlier every year (see the Hijri calendar guide), so these figures change from year to year.
Why the start date varies
Each Islamic month begins with the new crescent moon. Some authorities use astronomical calculation or the Umm al-Qura calendar; many rely on an actual sighting of the crescent, locally or in another country. As a result, Ramadan and Eid can begin a day apart in neighbouring communities. NextSalahClock's Ramadan dates are always marked as predicted. Confirm the start with your local mosque or moon-sighting authority.
Use the Ramadan timetablefor your city's full month of Suhoor and Iftar times, with an Iftar countdown and calendar download.
Times in this guide are calculated start times. Your mosque may publish different times or iqamah times; see our calculation disclaimer.