How to Use the Ramadan Dates Calculator
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar, a month during which Muslims around the world fast from dawn to sunset as an act of faith. Because the Islamic calendar is purely lunar, its year runs about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, so Ramadan's Gregorian start date shifts roughly 11 days earlier every year. This calculator uses the standard Islamic calendar formula to work out, from today's date, the start and end dates of the upcoming Ramadan along with Eid al-Fitr, the holiday that follows it.
The Islamic calendar used here is the "tabular" (rule-based) version, which sets month lengths to alternate between 30 and 29 days and adds an extra day to the final month in 11 of every 30 years (a leap-year pattern). This lets dates be predicted mathematically without observing the moon directly — but the actual start of Ramadan, as officially announced by Islamic countries and religious authorities, is ultimately confirmed by sighting the crescent moon, so it can differ from this calculation by a day or two.
During Ramadan, observant Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn until sunset (a practice called sawm), breaking the fast each evening with a meal known as iftar. When the month ends, the Eid al-Fitr festival brings family and friends together to celebrate. Treat the dates here as a helpful estimate — for the exact start date, check the official announcement from an Islamic authority or mosque in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Islamic calendar is a purely lunar calendar (about 354 days a year), so it drifts about 11 days earlier than the Gregorian calendar each year — which is why Ramadan's start date on the Gregorian calendar shifts every year.
Yes. This calculator gives an estimate using the standard tabular Islamic calendar formula. The actual start of Ramadan is ultimately confirmed by moon sighting, so it can differ by a day or two depending on the region.