Fitrana 2026: Amount & Calculator
By the Editorial Team · reviewed against our sources · updated September 2026 · guidance, not a fatwa
Zakat al-Fitr is one ṣāʿ (~2.5–3 kg) of staple food per person, or its cash value, paid before Eid prayer. The cash amount is set locally each year — check your local mosque/zakat body for the exact figure. Guidance only, not a fatwa.
Quick answer: Fitrana is the South-Asian name for Zakat al-Fitr, a small obligatory charity paid before the Eid al-Fitr prayer. It is due on behalf of every member of the household, including children, and equals one sa' (about 2.5 to 3 kg) of staple food per person, or its cash value set locally each year.
Key takeaways
- Fitrana is another name for Zakat al-Fitr; the two are the same obligation.
- It is paid per person on behalf of every household member, including children and dependents.
- The amount is one sa' (roughly 2.5 to 3 kg) of a staple food, or its cash value.
- It must be paid before the Eid al-Fitr prayer to count fully; Eid 2026 is expected around March 2026.
- Whether to give food or cash is a point of scholarly difference.
- It goes to the poor and needy so they too can enjoy Eid.
What fitrana means
Fitrana is the term commonly used across South Asia for what classical fiqh calls Zakat al-Fitr, the charity of breaking the fast. Despite the different name, it is exactly the same obligation: a small, fixed act of charity linked to the end of Ramadan. Its purpose is twofold: to purify the fasting person from any shortfall or idle talk during the month, and to make sure the poor also have enough to celebrate Eid. Our dedicated Zakat al-Fitr page covers the same ruling under its Arabic name.
How much fitrana is
The prescribed measure is one sa' of a staple food per person. A sa' is a volume measure that works out to roughly 2.5 to 3 kilograms depending on the food and how cautiously it is estimated, of items such as wheat, barley, dates, raisins or rice. Most people today pay the cash value of that measure, which local scholars and reputable charities calculate each year from current food prices. Because the figure changes annually and by region, no fixed currency amount is given here; use the calculator above with your local rate.
| Household | People counted | Fitrana due |
|---|---|---|
| Single adult | 1 | 1 sa' of staple food (or value) |
| Couple with 3 children | 5 | 5 sa' of staple food (or value) |
| Extended household of 8 | 8 | 8 sa' of staple food (or value) |
Who pays fitrana
Fitrana is due from every Muslim who has more than a day and a night's worth of food beyond their basic needs at the time it falls due. Crucially, it is paid per person: the head of a household typically pays on behalf of everyone they are responsible for, including a spouse, children and any dependents. Many scholars hold it should even be paid on behalf of a baby born before the Eid dawn. It is a modest amount precisely so that almost every household can fulfil it.
Because the sum is small and the household count is simple, fitrana is one of the easiest obligations to organise. A useful habit is to count everyone under your responsibility a few days before Eid, confirm the current per-person rate, and set the money aside early so nothing is missed in the busy final days of Ramadan. Unlike the main Zakat, there is no need to hold the wealth for a lunar year and no nisab calculation on savings; the trigger is simply reaching the end of Ramadan with more than your basic daily food, which is why the great majority of households are expected to pay it.
When to pay fitrana
Fitrana must reach the recipients before the Eid al-Fitr prayer for it to count as intended; paying after the prayer without excuse turns it into ordinary charity rather than fulfilled Zakat al-Fitr. It becomes due at the end of Ramadan, and many scholars permit paying it a day or two early, or even during the last part of Ramadan, so the poor can prepare for Eid in good time. For 2026, Eid al-Fitr is expected around 20 March 2026, subject to local moon sighting, so fitrana should be arranged in the days beforehand.
Food or cash?
This is a well-known difference of opinion. The Hanafi school permits paying the cash equivalent of the staple food, which is why most South-Asian communities pay fitrana in money. The Shafi'i, Maliki and Hanbali schools traditionally require actual food to be distributed, following the literal practice. Both positions are respected; the practical guidance is to follow the view of your local scholars or the charity you give through, and to ensure that whichever form is chosen actually reaches an eligible recipient before the Eid prayer.
Who receives fitrana
Fitrana is given to the poor and needy, so that they can share in the joy of Eid rather than worrying about food. It broadly follows the recipient categories of Zakat, and like Zakat it should not be given to one's own dependents whom one is already obliged to support. It may be pooled and distributed through a trustworthy organisation, but the giver should ensure it is delivered in time. Our who is eligible for Zakat page explains the recipient categories.
How the calculator works
The calculator above asks for the number of people in your household and your local per-person fitrana rate (the cash value of one sa' of staple food for the current year). It multiplies the two to give your total. Confirm the current local rate with a reputable source, enter the household size, and pay the total before the Eid prayer.
Worked examples
Example 1 — a family of five. Two parents and three children make five people. The father pays five units of fitrana at the current local per-person rate, ensuring it reaches the needy before the Eid prayer.
Example 2 — single adult paying in food. A student following a school that requires food distributes one sa' (about 2.5 to 3 kg) of rice to a needy person before Eid.
Example 3 — newborn. A baby is born on the last night of Ramadan before dawn. Following the common view, the parents include the newborn and pay an extra unit of fitrana on the child's behalf.
Fitrana sits within a wider annual cycle of giving. Compare it with the main obligatory Zakat, voluntary Sadaqah, and the Eid al-Adha Qurbani, or return to the homepage calculators.
This page is general guidance only, not a fatwa; rulings vary by madhhab; consult a qualified scholar for your situation.
Frequently asked questions
What is fitrana?
Fitrana is the South-Asian name for Zakat al-Fitr, a small obligatory charity paid before the Eid al-Fitr prayer to purify the fasting person and help the poor celebrate Eid. It is the same obligation.
How much is fitrana per person in 2026?
It is one sa' of staple food per person, roughly 2.5 to 3 kg, or its cash value. The exact 2026 figure is set locally each year, so check your local scholar or charity rate before paying.
Who has to pay fitrana?
Every Muslim with more than a day and a night's food beyond basic needs pays it, on behalf of themselves and every dependent, including children and often a newborn born before Eid dawn.
When must fitrana be paid?
Before the Eid al-Fitr prayer. It can be paid in the last days of Ramadan so it reaches the poor in time. Paying after the prayer without excuse makes it ordinary charity, not fulfilled Zakat al-Fitr.
Can fitrana be paid in cash instead of food?
The Hanafi school allows the cash value, which is why most South-Asian communities pay money. The Shafi'i, Maliki and Hanbali schools traditionally require actual food. Follow your local scholars.
Is fitrana paid for children?
Yes. Fitrana is due per person, so the head of the household pays on behalf of children and dependents. Many scholars include a baby born before the dawn of Eid.
Who can receive fitrana?
It goes to the poor and needy so they can share in Eid, broadly following the Zakat recipient categories. It should not be given to dependents one is already obliged to support.
Is fitrana the same as Zakat al-Fitr?
Yes. Fitrana and Zakat al-Fitr are two names for the same obligatory pre-Eid charity. The word fitrana is simply the common term used in South Asia.