Iftar Time for Santa Maria Today

Tuesday, March 10th, 2026 · 21st Ramadan 1447H

Iftar Time Today

19:04

Iftar in Santa Maria, California, PST/PDT, using NOAA algorithms

Sehri Ends

05:57

When fasting begins today

MWL Method

Uses the Muslim World League standard (18° astronomical twilight), widely accepted globally.

Ramadan Essentials

Check current options to enhance your Ramadan experience

How Are These Times Calculated?

Iftar time in Santa Maria is based on the astronomical sunset at 34.9°N, 120.4°W. This timing already accounts for atmospheric refraction, marking the moment the sun appears to dip below the horizon.

Sunset Calculation: Times are generated using precise astronomical calculations based on Santa Maria's latitude, longitude, elevation, and timezone.
Optional Buffers: Communities can apply +3, +5, or +15 minute safety margins if desired, though these are for personal or local preference rather than necessity.

Local Confirmation: While our Iftar times are accurate, we recommend checking with your local mosque for any community-specific adjustments or moon sighting variations.

Today's Fast In Santa Maria

11h 43m
Today's fasting duration

Today's fast in Santa Maria lasts 11h 43m, which is approximately 60 minutes longer than at the start of Ramadan. Fasting hours are changing moderately as the season progresses.

How Your Location Affects Fasting

68m
Elevation
+3m
Daily fasting change
34.9°
Latitude

At 34.9°N and 68m elevation in the Los_Angeles timezone, Santa Maria is in the temperate zone, where seasonal daylight changes are noticeable. During Ramadan in spring, fasting hours increase by about 3 minutes each day. Your elevation adds roughly 0.2 minutes to sunset timing.

By mid-Ramadan (day 15), you'll have gained an extra 45 minutes of fasting compared to the first day. Compared to Santa Barbara at 34.4°N, this results in about 2 minutes of difference. These gradual daily changes are a defining feature of fasting in Santa Maria.

Why Iftar Times Differ Between Cities

Santa Maria's sunset is approximately 6 minutes later than Thousand Oaks, primarily due to longitude differences between the cities.

±6mins
later

Santa Maria's sunset is approximately 7 minutes later than Simi Valley, primarily due to longitude differences between the cities.

±7mins
later

Santa Maria's sunset is approximately 4 minutes later than Visalia, primarily due to longitude differences between the cities.

±4mins
later

Daily Sunset Progression In Santa Maria

In Santa Maria, sunset shifts slightly. Specifically, today's sunset occurs 1m later than yesterday.

Tomorrow's fast will be approximately 3 minutes longer than today in Santa Maria, following the seasonal daylight pattern at 34.9° latitude. This daily progression is characteristic of Santa Maria's subtropical latitude position, where seasonal astronomical shifts directly affect fasting duration throughout Ramadan.

How Iftar Times Work

Atmospheric Refraction

Earth's atmosphere bends light, causing the sun to appear slightly higher on the horizon than its actual position. This atmospheric refraction effect is already accounted for in our calculations, giving you the precise moment when the sun appears to cross below the horizon.

Santa Maria's Elevation

At 68m above sea level, Santa Maria's elevation affects when sunset occurs. Higher elevations see the sunset slightly later than lower areas. This elevation adjustment is included in all our calculations.

Astronomical Calculations

Iftar times are calculated using precise astronomical algorithms from NOAA, based on Santa Maria's exact location (34.93°N, 120.44°W), timezone (America/Los_Angeles), and the current season to determine accurate sunset times throughout Ramadan.

Nearby Towns and Cities

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Iftar time in Santa Maria today?

Iftar in Santa Maria today is the astronomical sunset time shown at the top of this page. Check the precise time, which is calculated for Santa Maria's exact location (34.93°N, 120.44°W) at 68m elevation. The calculation uses the ISNA 15° method, which is standard across North America.

When does Sehri end in Santa Maria?

Sehri end time in Santa Maria marks when the fast begins in the morning. During Ramadan, this time shifts daily as sunrise moves earlier or later. The time shown on this page is calculated for Santa Maria's exact coordinates using the ISNA 15° method, though you can compare other calculation standards on this page.

How long is the fast in Santa Maria during Ramadan 2026?

At 34.9°N, Santa Maria experiences moderate seasonal variation in daylight, affecting fasting duration throughout Ramadan. Fasting hours in Santa Maria vary daily throughout Ramadan as sunset and Fajr shift with the season. The times shown on this page are calculated for Santa Maria's exact location so you can plan your fast accordingly.

Why does Iftar in Santa Maria differ from Santa Barbara?

Compared to Santa Barbara, Santa Maria has sunset 3 minutes earlier than Santa Barbara due to its more westerly position, and being further north means it has longer fasting days during Ramadan. The primary cause is the longitude difference between the cities — roughly 4 minutes of time difference per degree of longitude. Santa Maria is at latitude 34.93°, while Santa Barbara is at latitude 34.43°. Even small differences in latitude and elevation create measurable shifts in when sunset occurs.

Which calculation method should I use for Iftar in Santa Maria?

The ISNA 15° method is most commonly used by mosques in Santa Maria. However, the best method for you depends on your local mosque or Islamic authority. We provide multiple standards on this page: ISNA 15°, ISNA 15°, Umm al-Qura 18.5°, and Diyanet 20°. Check with your mosque to confirm which they recommend, then use that method from the options available above.