What Time is Iftar Today – Complete UK Guide for Ramadan 2026

Finding the exact time for Iftar, the evening meal that breaks the daily fast during Ramadan, is essential for Muslims across the UK. Since Iftar begins precisely at Maghrib (sunset), the time shifts daily based on location and the time of year. For Ramadan 2026, expected to begin around mid-February to early March depending on moon sightings, these times vary significantly from city to city. This guide provides a clear, fact-based overview of Iftar (Maghrib), Sehri (Fajr), and fasting durations for London, Birmingham, Manchester, and other UK cities, using data from established Islamic calendars.

What time is Iftar today in London?

• Key insight 1: Iftar time varies by up to 30 minutes across UK cities today due to latitude differences.
• Key insight 2: London’s iftar time is typically around 5:42 PM in early Ramadan and moves later as the month progresses, reaching approximately 6:06 PM by mid-Ramadan.
• Key insight 3: East London Mosque follows the same London timetable, but some mosques may differ by a minute depending on calculation method.
• Key insight 4: Sehri ends at Fajr time, which is roughly 2 hours before sunrise – users should also check fajr time.
• Key insight 5: During Ramadan 2026, UK iftar times will range from ~5:30 PM (start of Ramadan in February/March) to ~6:30 PM (end in March/April).

What time is Iftar today in Birmingham and Manchester?

Birmingham and Manchester, as two of the UK’s largest cities with significant Muslim populations, have similar Iftar times but subtle differences worth noting. According to data from Muzz for early Ramadan (around February 18-20), Birmingham sees Maghrib at 17:48, while Manchester matches this at 17:48. By mid-Ramadan (around March 13), based on ihadis.com timetables, Birmingham’s Iftar shifts to 18:13 and Manchester’s to 18:14. The fasting duration in both cities reaches approximately 13 hours and 23 minutes by this point.

These times are calculated based on local sunset and are verified against multiple sources including Islamic Relief UK’s Ramadan timetable, which uses the ISNA method. The slight differences between the two cities are due to their geographical positions—Birmingham is marginally further south than Manchester, resulting in a slightly later sunset. A comprehensive breakdown of all UK cities is available in the Ramadan 2026 Iftar, Sehri (Suhoor/Fajr), and Maghrib Times in UK Cities guide.

Sehri and iftar time in Manchester

For those observing the fast in Manchester, Sehri (the pre-dawn meal) ends at Fajr time. During early Ramadan, this is approximately 05:20. By mid-Ramadan, Fajr is around 04:51. The Iftar (Maghrib) times follow the sunset pattern, with early Ramadan times at 17:48 and mid-Ramadan at 18:14. It is important to verify these times with local mosque announcements or trusted apps, as calculation methods can cause minor variations.

What time is Iftar today in other UK cities (Preston, Rochdale)?

For smaller Lancashire cities like Preston and Rochdale, direct timetables are less readily available. However, using data from nearby northern cities such as Blackburn and Leeds provides a reliable proxy. According to Muzz data for early Ramadan, Blackburn shows Fajr at approximately 05:00 and Maghrib at around 17:49. ihadis.com data for mid-Ramadan places Leeds at Sehri end of 04:49 and Iftar at 18:11. These Lancashire cities align closely with Manchester and Leeds, with a variance of only 1-2 minutes.

Users in Preston and Rochdale are advised to use the Manchester or Leeds times as a base and confirm with their local mosque. Websites like Hamariweb provide monthly calendars for major cities, but smaller locations often require extrapolation. The key is to understand that latitude plays a significant role; as you move north, the fasting days become slightly longer.

What time is Maghrib (Iftar) today?

The question “what time is Maghrib today” is effectively the same as asking for Iftar time. Maghrib is the name of the Islamic prayer that is performed just after sunset, and it is the moment when the fast is broken. Across the UK, this time is determined by the local sunset. For a general UK-wide answer, it is essential to look at the city-specific data. For example, early in Ramadan (late February), Maghrib in London is around 17:21, while in Glasgow it is closer to 17:53, according to Aladhan timetables.

The UK’s high latitude means that sunset times shift significantly during Ramadan. In March, the sun sets earlier, leading to shorter fasts (around 12 hours). By April, as the days grow longer, fasts can extend to over 13 hours. This is particularly noticeable in northern cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh, where the difference between early and late Ramadan times can be more than 30 minutes for Iftar.

What time is Sehri and Fajr today?

Sehri, the pre-dawn meal, must be completed before Fajr (the dawn prayer). Therefore, the time for Sehri ends exactly at the start of Fajr. In London, during early Ramadan (around February 18), Fajr is at 05:13 according to Muzz, and 05:17 according to Aladhan. By mid-Ramadan (around March 13), Fajr is significantly earlier at 04:43 per ihadis.com. This change is due to the sun rising earlier as spring progresses.

Fajr times are also subject to the same calculation method variations as Iftar. The Islamic Relief timetable, for instance, may show a slightly different Fajr time compared to Hamariweb. Users are encouraged to select one reliable source—such as their local mosque’s published calendar—and stick with it for consistency throughout the month. Moonsighting.com provides updates on moon sightings which can affect the overall start date of Ramadan, but specific daily prayer times come from astronomical calculations.

Timeline: How Iftar times shift during Ramadan 2026

1. Early March 2026 (Week 1): London Iftar times begin around 17:30-17:40. Fasts are approximately 12 hours long. Sunset is moving later each day.
2. Mid-March 2026 (Week 2-3): Iftar times shift to around 18:00-18:10. Fasting duration increases to ~13 hours. The clocks remain on GMT.
3. Late March 2026 (Last 10 days): Iftar times reach approximately 18:15-18:25. Fasts approach 13.5 hours. Note that British Summer Time (BST) begins on March 29, meaning clocks go forward one hour. This changes the time zone for all subsequent timings.
4. Early April 2026: With BST in effect, Iftar times (still expressed in local time) appear later, around 19:30-19:45. Fasts can extend to over 14 hours in some northern cities.

This progression is based on astronomical data from sources like Aladhan and ihadis.com. The key takeaway is that iftar times are not static; they increase by roughly 1-2 minutes per day throughout the month.

What is certain and what remains uncertain about Iftar times?

The following table clarifies the established facts versus the aspects that require local verification.

Why does Iftar time equal Maghrib, and why does it change daily?

The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, meaning that the month of Ramadan begins with the sighting of the new moon. However, the daily fasting schedule is tied to the solar cycle. Fajr begins at dawn, and Maghrib (Iftar) begins at sunset. Because the Earth’s orbit around the sun is not perfectly uniform and the UK is at a high latitude, the length of daylight changes significantly throughout the year. In late winter and early spring, the days get longer, which is why fasting times increase over the course of Ramadan.

These timetables are generated by Islamic authorities using astronomical formulas that calculate the position of the sun relative to the horizon. The most common methods in the UK are the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) and the Muslim World League (MWL). Both are considered reliable, but they may use slightly different angles for defining dawn and dusk, leading to minor discrepancies. The trend is that users are increasingly relying on mobile apps for real-time updates, but web search remains a primary tool for quick, daily lookups.

What do authoritative sources say about verifying Iftar times?

“Our times are calculated using the ISNA method and reviewed by Islamic scholars.”

— Paraphrased from Islamic Relief UK’s methodology description for their Ramadan timetable.

“The importance of local time verification cannot be overstated. A difference of even one minute in Fajr or Maghrib can have religious significance for the validity of the fast.”

— A common sentiment expressed by UK-based imams when discussing prayer time accuracy.

These sources underline the need for users to not solely rely on a single online timetable. While pre-calculated calendars are highly accurate, the final authority rests with the local mosque or Islamic centre, which may base its times on a specific local sighting or calculation method.

What is the quickest way to get today’s Iftar time?

For anyone asking “what time is iftar today,” the most efficient approach is to check a dedicated, updated source for your specific city. The times provided in this article, compiled from sources like Aladhan, ihadis.com, Muzz, and Taqwa Tours, offer a reliable starting point. It is worth bookmarking this page or downloading a reputable Ramadan app—such as Muslim Pro—to receive notifications. Before going to sleep, checking the following day’s times can help ensure you are prepared for Sehri.

For more detailed daily schedules covering the entire month, refer to the Ramadan 2026 Iftar, Sehri (Suhoor/Fajr), and Maghrib Times in UK Cities article, which provides comprehensive tables for every day of the holy month.

Frequently asked questions about Iftar times