Methods, systems, and devices for random access channel (RACH) timing in a wireless communication are described. A base station and a user equipment (UE) may perform a RACH procedure to establish a communication link between the base station the UE. The RACH timing associated with the RACH procedure may depend on the numerology used for the RACH procedure and may be conveyed by the base station to the UE in a control message or via system information. In some cases, the numerology may indicate the RACH timing, which may be used to determine a number of symbols or absolute time to be used for portions of the RACH procedure.