Calculation Method Comparison
Dozens of Islamic organisations and government bodies have each published their own Fajr and Isha angle convention. The table below lists every method available on this site, including the one it uses by default.
Last updated
Every method, side by side
Each method shows the angle it uses for Fajr and for Isha. You can switch to any of them from the method menu beside the prayer times.
| Method | Fajr / Isha angle |
|---|---|
| Muslim World League (MWL) Default here | 18° / 17° |
| Univ. of Islamic Sciences, Karachi | 18° / 18° |
| ISNA (North America) | 15° / 15° |
| Umm al-Qura, Makkah | 18.5° / 90 min after Maghrib |
| Egyptian General Authority | 19.5° / 17.5° |
| Univ. of Tehran (Institute of Geophysics) | 17.7° / 14° |
| Shia Ithna-Ashari (Jafari), Leva Qum | 16° / 14° |
| Gulf Region | 19.5° / 90 min after Maghrib |
| Kuwait | 18° / 17.5° |
| Qatar | 18° / 90 min after Maghrib |
| MUIS, Singapore | 20° / 18° |
| Union Islamique de France | 12° / 12° |
| Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı, Turkey | 18° / 17° |
| JAKIM, Malaysia | 20° / 18° |
| Tunisian Ministry of Religious Affairs | 18° / 18° |
| Algerian Ministry of Religious Affairs | 18° / 17° |
| Kemenag, Indonesia | 20° / 18° |
| Morocco | 19° / 17° |
Reading the angles
Each figure is how many degrees below the horizon the sun sits when Fajr begins and again when Isha begins. A larger Fajr angle means the method calls dawn earlier. The sun needs to be further below the horizon for that stage of twilight to count as ended.
A method written as "90 min after Maghrib" for Isha, such as Umm al-Qura, sets Isha as a fixed clock offset from sunset rather than a twilight angle at all.
Not a disagreement about the sun
Why the spread exists
These are not competing claims about where the sun actually is. They are different judgement calls made by different regional authorities.
Each one decides which point of twilight counts as the start of Fajr or the end of Isha.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which calculation method should I use? +
There's no single correct method. Most people follow whichever convention their local mosque or community uses. If you're unsure, Muslim World League is a widely accepted default used across many countries and is this site's default method.
Do these methods change Dhuhr, Asr or Maghrib? +
Mostly no. Dhuhr, Asr and Maghrib come from solar noon, shadow length and sunset. Most methods therefore give the same times. The Fajr and Isha twilight angles are what differ. The Jafari and University of Tehran methods are the exceptions, because they start Maghrib a few minutes after sunset.