Prayer Times in Atlanta, Georgia: A Local Guide for Residents and Visitors

Finding accurate Islamic prayer times in Atlanta, Georgia is essential whether you live in the city, work downtown, attend school here, or are just visiting for a few days. Because prayer times change daily and vary slightly across the metro area, it helps to understand how they’re calculated locally and where you can verify them near you.

This guide walks you through how prayer times work in Atlanta, typical time ranges, how to stay updated, and where to pray across the city.

How Islamic Prayer Times Work in Atlanta

Islamic prayer times are based on the position of the sun, not the clock, so they naturally shift a little each day and change with the seasons. In Atlanta, the five daily prayers are:

  • Fajr – pre-dawn
  • Dhuhr – midday, after the sun passes its highest point
  • Asr – afternoon
  • Maghrib – just after sunset
  • Isha – night, when the sky becomes completely dark

Because Atlanta is in the Eastern Time Zone (ET), the clock times for each of these prayers change throughout the year but follow consistent seasonal patterns.

Key Atlanta-specific factors

  • Latitude & longitude of Atlanta (roughly 33.7° N, 84.4° W) shape how early dawn breaks and how late the sun sets.
  • Daylight Saving Time (DST) affects clock times (spring and fall time changes).
  • Different calculation methods (often chosen by mosques or apps) may lead to differences of a few minutes, especially for Fajr and Isha.

Because of these variables, Muslims in Atlanta typically rely on a local masjid timetable or trusted prayer time app set to Atlanta.

Typical Prayer Time Ranges in Atlanta, Georgia

Exact times change daily, but knowing general ranges helps you plan your day if you’re new to the city.

Approximate seasonal ranges (Atlanta)

PrayerWinter (Dec–Feb)Spring (Mar–May)Summer (Jun–Aug)Fall (Sep–Nov)
Fajr~5:45–6:20 am~4:50–5:40 am~4:30–5:10 am~5:15–6:00 am
Dhuhr~12:20–1:40 pm (DST shift)~12:30–1:30 pm~1:30–1:40 pm~12:20–1:30 pm
Asr~3:00–4:30 pm~3:30–5:30 pm~4:45–6:00 pm~3:00–5:15 pm
Maghrib~5:30–6:10 pm~6:20–8:20 pm~8:30–8:50 pm~5:30–8:00 pm
Isha~7:00–8:00 pm~8:00–10:00 pm~9:50–10:20 pm~7:00–9:30 pm

These ranges reflect general Atlanta conditions and may vary a bit depending on the method used.

How to Get Accurate Daily Prayer Times in Atlanta

Because times change every day, most Muslims in Atlanta use one or more of the following:

1. Masjid timetables

Many Atlanta mosques publish monthly prayer calendars and display daily iqamah times (congregational prayer times) in their buildings.

You’ll typically find:

  • Printed schedules in the lobby or prayer hall
  • Whiteboards or digital displays showing Jumu’ah and daily iqamah
  • Recorded or automated phone messages at some larger centers

If you live or work near a specific mosque, using their timetable is often the simplest and most practical approach.

2. Mobile apps & online tools

Common prayer-time tools allow you to:

  • Set location to “Atlanta, GA” (or use GPS)
  • Choose a calculation method and Asr juristic method
  • Enable adhan notifications for each prayer

Different apps may default to different calculation standards, so times can differ by a few minutes. Many Atlanta residents pick one main reference (often based on their local masjid’s method) and stay consistent.

3. Printed Islamic calendars

Some Atlanta Islamic centers and businesses hand out Islamic calendars each year with:

  • Daily prayer start times
  • Ramadan schedules (suhoor and iftar)
  • Eid dates and announcements

These are convenient to keep at home, at work, or in your car if you don’t always rely on your phone.

Understanding Calculation Methods Used in Atlanta

When you open a prayer app and set it to Atlanta, Georgia, you may see multiple calculation methods in the settings. These refer to different institutional standards for defining Fajr and Isha based on the sun’s angle below the horizon.

Commonly used methods in North America include:

  • ISNA (Islamic Society of North America)
  • Muslim World League (MWL)
  • Umm al-Qura (Makkah)

Many mosques in the Atlanta metro area use settings aligned with ISNA or similar North American standards, but this can vary.

Asr: Hanafi vs. Shafi’i (or “Standard”)

Another setting you’ll see is often called Asr method, Juristic method, or “School of Thought”:

  • Standard (Shafi’i, Maliki, Hanbali) – Asr starts when the object’s shadow is equal to its length plus the midday shadow.
  • Hanafi – Asr starts when the shadow is twice the object’s length plus the midday shadow.

In Atlanta, some mosques follow the Hanafi timing for Asr, while others use the Standard method. This can shift Asr later by some minutes to longer, depending on the day.

If you want your app to match your local masjid in Atlanta:

  1. Ask at the mosque office or check a posted sign about their calculation method and Asr juristic method.
  2. Match your app settings accordingly for consistency.

Jumu’ah (Friday Prayer) Times in Atlanta

Jumu’ah (Friday prayer) has a fixed day but the khutbah (sermon) start time varies by location.

In Atlanta, you’ll commonly find:

  • Early Jumu’ah – Around 12:30–1:30 pm (exact time changes by season and location)
  • Second Jumu’ah – Some masjids in busy areas, especially near downtown, Midtown, or workplace-heavy zones, offer multiple khutbahs to accommodate different schedules.

Because Friday traffic can be heavy, especially:

  • Downtown Atlanta
  • Around major highways like I‑75/85 and I‑285
  • Near big office hubs and universities

…it’s wise to leave early and choose a masjid that’s realistically reachable from your job, campus, or hotel.

Always verify current Jumu’ah times directly with the masjid, since they can adjust seasonally.

Where to Pray in Atlanta: Major Mosques and Islamic Centers

Below are some well-known, long-established Islamic centers in the greater Atlanta area. These can be useful reference points for prayer times, Jumu’ah, and community events. Always check directly with each center for the most current schedule.

Masjid Al-Farooq (Islamic Community Center of Atlanta)

  • Location: Near Midtown and Downtown Atlanta
  • Commonly used by people who live, work, or study in the central city, including areas like Midtown, Georgia Tech, and Downtown.

Al-Falah Masjid – Islamic Center of North Fulton

  • Location: North of Atlanta, serving parts of Alpharetta and Roswell
  • Useful if you commute from or stay in northern suburbs and still need a reliable place for Jumu’ah or daily salah.

Masjid Omar (Masjid Omar Bin Abdul Aziz)

  • Location: On the west side of the metro area
  • Frequently used by Muslims who live or work in West Atlanta or nearby neighborhoods.

Madina Institute and Other Metro-Area Centers

The broader Atlanta region includes several other Islamic centers and masajid in areas such as:

  • Norcross / Duluth
  • Clarkston
  • Marietta
  • Stone Mountain
  • Lawrenceville

Most provide prayer timetables, Jumu’ah, and often educational programs or weekend schools. If you’re staying in a specific suburb, it’s usually best to:

  1. Identify the closest masjid to your neighborhood or hotel.
  2. Use their schedule as your primary local reference.

Practical Tips for Managing Prayer in Atlanta

1. Plan around traffic and commute

Atlanta is known for busy highways and rush hour congestion. When planning to pray at a masjid:

  • Aim to arrive early for Maghrib and Isha in winter, when evenings are short.
  • Give extra time on Fridays, especially around Jumu’ah in business districts.

2. Know your options for workplace or campus prayer

If you’re working or studying in Atlanta:

  • Many large offices and some university campuses have small reflection or meditation rooms that can be used for quiet prayer.
  • Some Muslims keep a foldable prayer mat and use a quiet corner or unused office when needed.
  • For short breaks, apps with a Qibla direction feature and vibration-only alerts are especially helpful.

3. Managing prayer times while visiting Atlanta

If you’re here for a short stay:

  • Set your phone or app location to Atlanta, GA as soon as you arrive.
  • If you’re staying in Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or near the airport, check which masjid is most accessible from your hotel.
  • Keep a printed or saved screenshot of that masjid’s daily timetable, especially during Ramadan.

4. Ramadan in Atlanta

During Ramadan, Atlanta’s Muslim community hosts:

  • Taraweeh prayers (after Isha) at many masjids
  • Iftar gatherings at larger centers
  • Sometimes special parking or traffic arrangements near major masjids

Because Fajr and Maghrib times are especially important in Ramadan:

  • Use a trusted local timetable for suhoor end (imsak) and iftar.
  • Expect Maghrib and Isha times to shift gradually over the month.

Simple Prayer Time Checklist for Atlanta

Use this quick list to stay organized:

  • ✅ Set phone/app location to “Atlanta, GA”
  • ✅ Choose a calculation method that matches your local masjid, if known
  • ✅ Set adhan or vibration alerts for each prayer
  • ✅ Keep a local masjid timetable as a backup reference
  • ✅ Confirm Jumu’ah times directly, especially if you’re new to a masjid
  • ✅ During Ramadan, double-check Fajr and Maghrib start times day by day

If you live in Atlanta, visit regularly, or are planning a short stay, understanding how prayer times in Atlanta, Georgia shift with the seasons and coordinating with a local masjid’s schedule will give you reliable, day-to-day guidance for all five daily prayers and Jumu’ah.