What Time Is Iftar Today – London Manchester Birmingham UK Timings

For Muslims across the United Kingdom, knowing the exact time to break the daily fast during Ramadan is essential. Iftar marks the moment when maghrib prayer begins and fasting concludes for the day. With Ramadan 2026 expected to begin around February 18, 2026, and end approximately March 19, 2026, accurate timings remain vital for worshippers throughout the country.

Prayer times shift daily throughout the lunar month, meaning that the iftar schedule on any given day differs from the previous or following day. The exact moment depends on geographic location, calculation method, and whether moon sighting confirms the start and end of the holy month. This article provides estimated timings for major UK cities including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Preston, and Luton, along with guidance on where to find confirmed schedules closer to Ramadan.

What Time is Iftar Today in the UK?

Across the United Kingdom, iftar times vary by several minutes depending on the city. The northern cities typically see earlier sunsets than London, meaning iftar occurs earlier in the evening. Conversely, southern locations experience slightly later maghrib times. During Ramadan 2026, these variations remain consistent with the UK’s geographic spread from south to north.

The following overview illustrates estimated iftar timings alongside related prayer times for major UK population centres. These figures represent approximate values based on astronomical calculations and may shift slightly based on local mosque announcements or moon sighting outcomes.

UK Cities Iftar Overview

Northern cities such as Manchester and Preston typically experience earlier sunset times than London, meaning iftar occurs sooner in the evening. The difference generally falls within a 5 to 10 minute range depending on exact geographic coordinates. Southern cities like Luton maintain timings closer to the London schedule.

Key Insights on Iftar Times

• Iftar aligns precisely with the maghrib prayer time, which itself corresponds to the astronomical sunset moment for each location.
• UK-wide variations typically span 10 to 15 minutes between northernmost and southernmost points during any given day of Ramadan.
• The Ramadan 2026 dates of approximately February 18 to March 19 remain subject to official moon sighting confirmation by UK Islamic authorities.
• Downloadable PDF timetables from Islamic Relief and the East London Mosque provide comprehensive schedules using the Muslim World League calculation method.
• Times shift progressively earlier for suhoor end and progressively later for iftar as Ramadan advances through the winter-to-spring transition.
• Apps and mosque websites offer real-time updates when timings require adjustment based on new astronomical data.
• Always cross-reference with your nearest mosque, as local announcements may supersede calculated estimates.

Ramadan 2026 Timeline Snapshot

Understanding the progression of Ramadan helps worshippers plan their daily schedule throughout the month. The following timeline illustrates key milestones for Ramadan 2026 in the UK.

1. Expected Start: Around February 18, 2026 (1 Ramadan 1447 AH), following confirmed moon sighting by UK Islamic councils.
2. Early Ramadan: Fajr around 05:17 AM on February 18, with iftar at approximately 17:21 PM in London.
3. Mid-Ramadan: By mid-March, fajr advances to approximately 04:25 AM while iftar moves to around 18:03 PM.
4. Fasting Duration: Daily fasts lengthen from approximately 12 hours early in Ramadan to about 13 hours 38 minutes by mid-month, based on March 14 data for London.
5. Expected End: Around March 19, 2026, marked by Eid al-Fitr celebrations following the completion of 29 or 30 days of fasting.

What Time is Iftar Today in London?

London offers the most comprehensive and detailed Ramadan timetables among UK cities. Multiple sources provide consistent daily timings that account for the city’s specific geographic position and calculation preferences. The East London Mosque, along with platforms such as Aladhan, Taqwa Tours, and ihadis, publish full 30-day schedules that worshippers can download and use throughout the month.

The following sample timings illustrate how iftar and related prayer times progress across different stages of Ramadan 2026 in London. All times reflect GMT and represent the Hanafi calculation method unless otherwise noted.

These timings demonstrate the daily progression as daylight hours extend throughout Ramadan. Fajr occurs progressively earlier, while iftar moves later, resulting in lengthier fasting periods as the month advances. Worshippers should note that some platforms may display times according to the Jafria school of thought, which applies slightly different calculations for both suhoor and maghrib.

For those seeking complete London schedules, full 30-day calendars covering the entire Ramadan period are available from Aladhan and Taqwa Tours. These resources provide downloadable formats suitable for printing or saving to mobile devices for quick reference throughout the month.

Iftar Times Today in Manchester, Birmingham, and Other UK Cities

While detailed 2026 Ramadan timetables remain limited for cities beyond London, general prayer time patterns suggest similar structures with minor adjustments for geographic position. Manchester, Birmingham, Preston, and Luton all maintain prayer time schedules aligned with their respective latitudes, with northern cities experiencing marginally earlier sunset and sunrise times than the capital.

Mosques in these cities typically publish local timetables closer to Ramadan or offer guidance through regional Islamic centres. Islamic Relief and sajda.com provide adaptable UK-wide calendars that allow users to input specific city coordinates for location-adjusted timings.

Manchester Iftar Times

Manchester lies approximately 200 miles north of London, resulting in sunset times occurring several minutes earlier. While specific 2026 timetables were not readily available in current sources, the general pattern follows London timings with adjustments of approximately 5 to 10 minutes earlier for both iftar and suhoor. Local mosques in Manchester, including the Manchester Central Mosque, typically publish Ramadan schedules through their websites or physical notice boards before the month begins.

Birmingham Iftar Times

Birmingham’s position approximately 120 miles north of London produces similar timing adjustments, with iftar occurring slightly earlier than in the capital. Birmingham Central Mosque and affiliated Islamic centres provide downloadable Ramadan timetables that reflect the city’s specific geographic calculations. The Birmingham Ramadan timetable from hamariweb offers structured daily schedules for reference.

Preston and Luton

Preston, located in Lancashire, experiences earlier sunsets than both London and Birmingham due to its more northerly latitude. Luton, situated just north of London, maintains timings closer to the capital’s schedule with minimal variation. For both cities, consulting local mosque announcements or using adaptable prayer time calculators remains the most reliable approach for obtaining accurate Ramadan 2026 schedules.

Islamic Relief’s UK-wide calendar and sajda.com’s city-specific prayer time pages offer resources that users can configure for Preston, Luton, and other locations not covered by dedicated Ramadan timetables. These tools accept location input and generate adjusted timings based on astronomical data.

What Time is Maghrib Today? (Iftar Time)

Maghrib refers to both the evening prayer and the moment of sunset. In Islamic practice, iftar occurs precisely at maghrib, which marks the astronomical sunset for each specific location. This means that iftar time is not arbitrary but rather corresponds directly to the calculated sunset moment adjusted for geographic coordinates and atmospheric conditions.

The calculation methodology behind maghrib times involves astronomical data including the sun’s position below the horizon, typically set at specific angles depending on the chosen madhab or calculation preference. For most UK locations, maghrib occurs between 17:00 and 18:30 during the Ramadan 2026 period, shifting later as the month progresses into spring.

Factors Affecting Maghrib Calculation

• Geographic latitude and longitude determine the exact moment of sunset for any given location on any given date.
• Calculation method influences whether maghrib is set at specific sun angles or traditional time intervals.
• Madhab preference affects whether Hanafi or Jafria timing conventions apply to your mosque or community.
• Local horizon may cause minor variations where natural features obstruct the visible horizon.

To determine today’s exact maghrib time for your location, inputting your specific city or postcode into prayer time calculators such as those provided by Aladhan produces accurate results based on current astronomical data.

Related Prayer Times: Fajr and Suhoor Today

Understanding iftar times alone does not complete the daily fasting schedule. Fajr marks the pre-dawn meal boundary, after which fasting begins and continues until maghrib. Suhoor, the pre-dawn meal, should be consumed before fajr prayer time, with the Hanafi school typically setting the suhoor end time approximately 10 minutes before fajr.

For Ramadan 2026, fajr times in London range from approximately 05:17 AM early in the month to 04:25 AM by late Ramadan. These progressively earlier times reflect the seasonal shift as the UK moves from winter into spring, when dawn arrives sooner relative to the previous day’s maghrib.

Typical UK Prayer Time Relationships

The daily prayer schedule follows a consistent structure during Ramadan. Suhoor ends before fajr, which is followed by dhuhr (midday prayer) and asr (afternoon prayer). Maghrib at sunset signals both the iftar moment and the maghrib prayer obligation. Finally, isha concludes the daily prayer cycle before the cycle begins again with the next day’s suhoor.

For those seeking fajr times for Manchester or other northern cities, the pattern suggests slightly earlier times than London due to geographic latitude. Platforms such as hamariweb provide city-specific prayer time pages that display fajr alongside iftar, enabling worshippers across the UK to plan their daily schedule accurately.

Iftar Time Certainty

Prayer time calculations involve inherent variables that may result in minor discrepancies between different sources. The following comparison clarifies what is established and what remains subject to adjustment.

The most reliable approach involves using published timetables as baseline references while confirming specific timings through local mosque announcements or official Islamic council guidance. This dual-source method ensures worshippers have the most accurate information for their particular community and location.

Understanding Iftar Times in the UK

The variation in iftar times across UK cities stems from the country’s significant north-south geographic span. London, positioned at approximately 51.5 degrees north latitude, experiences later sunsets and sunrises compared to Manchester at 53.5 degrees north. This latitudinal difference of approximately 2 degrees translates to timing variations of several minutes for each prayer time throughout the day.

Ramadan’s lunar calendar means that the holy month shifts approximately 10 to 11 days earlier each year relative to the Gregorian calendar. This progression means that Ramadan cycles through different seasons over its 33-year lunar calendar cycle. The 2026 Ramadan period falls during late winter and early spring in the UK, resulting in moderate fasting durations of approximately 12 to 14 hours daily.

The relationship between iftar and maghrib prayer establishes the scientific and religious foundation for iftar timing. Unlike arbitrary schedule-setting, maghrib is determined by astronomical sunset, ensuring that every Muslim worldwide breaks their fast at the same relative celestial moment, adjusted for their local horizon. This universal principle connects Muslims globally while respecting geographic diversity.

Sources and Key Quotes

“Start and end dates may vary upon moon sighting. These timings are based on the Muslim World League calculation method.”

— Islamic Relief UK, Ramadan Timetable

“London Sehri/Suhoor 06:25 AM (Hanafi), Iftar 04:08 PM; Jafria adjusts to 06:16 AM/04:18 PM.”

— Hamariweb, London Sehr-o-Iftar Timing

Primary sources for UK Ramadan prayer times include Aladhan’s comprehensive calculation platform, Taqwa Tours’ downloadable London calendars, ihadis’ Hanafi-focused timetables, and Islamic Relief’s UK-wide resources. The East London Mosque also publishes official timetables reflecting community practice within one of London’s largest Muslim congregation centres.

Summary

Finding accurate iftar times for today in the UK requires understanding the relationship between geographic location, calculation methodology, and official moon sighting confirmation. London provides the most detailed Ramadan 2026 timetables, with iftar times ranging from approximately 17:21 PM early in the month to 18:03 PM by late March. Northern cities including Manchester and Birmingham follow similar patterns with adjustments of approximately 5 to 10 minutes earlier for iftar due to latitude differences. Worshippers should verify timings through local mosque announcements, downloadable timetables from Islamic Relief, or calculation tools provided by Aladhan and Taqwa Tours to ensure accuracy for their specific location and madhab preference.

Frequently Asked Questions