Zakat al-Fitr (Fitrana): What It Is and How Much to Pay

Zakat al-Fitr — often called Fitrana — is a distinct, obligatory charity paid at the end of Ramadan, separate from the annual zakat on wealth. It's small in amount but important in purpose: it purifies the fast and ensures that everyone, including those in need, can share in the joy of Eid.

How it differs from ordinary zakat

It's easy to confuse the two, but they're separate obligations:

• Zakat al-Fitr is a fixed, small amount paid per person at the end of Ramadan, due from almost every Muslim regardless of wealth.
• Zakat al-Mal (zakat on wealth) is the annual 2.5% on savings and assets above the nisab — the subject of our how to calculate zakat guide.

You may well owe both, but they're worked out and paid separately.

Who pays, and for whom

Zakat al-Fitr is due on behalf of every member of the household — yourself, your spouse, your children, and dependants you support. The head of the household commonly pays for everyone, including a child born before the end of Ramadan. Because it's paid per head, a family of five pays five shares.

How much is it?

Traditionally, Zakat al-Fitr is one sa' (a measure of about 2.5–3 kg) of a staple food such as wheat, barley, dates or rice — enough to feed a person for a day. Today many people pay its cash equivalent instead, and local mosques or zakat bodies usually announce a recommended amount for the year based on the price of a staple food.

The Zakat al-Fitr calculator simply multiplies your per-person amount by your household size, so you can pay the right total for everyone at once.

When is it due?

The timing matters more here than the amount. Zakat al-Fitr must be paid before the Eid al-Fitr prayer for it to count as Fitrana; paid later, it becomes ordinary charity. Many people pay a few days early so their local distributor has time to get it to those in need before Eid morning. To keep an eye on when Ramadan ends, the Islamic events countdown tracks the date of Eid al-Fitr.