When is Ramadan 2026? Start Date, Countdown & Calendar

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How Can I Start Preparing for Ramadan Now?

You can start preparing for Ramadan today by reviewing the full calendar, calculating accurate fasting times for your city, following a spiritual and practical preparation guide, and using a live countdown timer to track the days remaining until the blessed month.

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What Are the Key Dates for Ramadan 2026?

The key dates for Ramadan 2026 are: first day of fasting on February 18, Laylat al-Qadr most likely on March 14-17, the last day of Ramadan on March 19, and Eid al-Fitr on March 20. Dates are based on the Umm al-Qura calendar.

Event	Date	Day
First day of Ramadan	February 18, 2026	Wednesday
Laylat al-Qadr (likely)	March 14-17, 2026	Last 10 nights
Last day of Ramadan	March 19, 2026	Thursday
Eid al-Fitr	March 20, 2026	Friday

Dates based on Umm al-Qura calendar. May vary by 1 day based on moon sighting.

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How is the Start Date Determined?

The exact start of Ramadan depends on moon sighting on the evening of February 17, 2026. Islamic authorities follow one of two approaches:

• Calculated dates (Umm al-Qura calendar) — used by Saudi Arabia and most countries. Gives February 18.
• Local moon sighting — practiced in parts of South Asia, Africa, and some communities. May result in February 18 or 19 depending on visibility.

Both methods are valid in Islamic jurisprudence. If you’re unsure which date your local community follows, check with your nearest mosque.

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When Does Ramadan Start by Country?

North America & Europe

Region	Expected Start
USA, Canada	February 18, 2026
UK, France, Germany	February 18, 2026
Turkey	February 18, 2026

Middle East & Asia

Region	Expected Start
Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt	February 18, 2026
Pakistan, India, Bangladesh	February 18-19, 2026
Indonesia, Malaysia	February 18, 2026

Some countries may start 1 day later based on local moon sighting.

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How Long is Ramadan 2026?

Ramadan lasts 29 or 30 days, running from February 18 to March 19 or 20, 2026. The exact duration depends on moon sighting at the end of the month.

Scenario	Ramadan Length	Last Day	Eid al-Fitr
Moon sighted on 29th	29 days	March 19	March 20
Moon not sighted	30 days	March 20	March 21

Why Does Ramadan Length Vary?

The Islamic calendar is purely lunar — each month begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon. Unlike the Gregorian calendar where months have fixed lengths, Islamic months are tied to the actual lunar cycle. The lunar month averages 29.53 days, so each Islamic month is either 29 or 30 days — never more, never less. On the 29th evening of Ramadan (March 18, 2026), Muslims will look for the crescent moon of Shawwal to determine if Eid falls the next day.

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When Does Ramadan 2026 End?

The last day of Ramadan 2026 is expected to be March 19 or 20, with Eid al-Fitr on March 20 or 21, 2026 (1 Shawwal 1447 AH).

Event	Date	Hijri
Last 10 nights begin	March 10, 2026	21 Ramadan 1447
Laylat al-Qadr (likely)	March 14-17, 2026	25-28 Ramadan
Last day of fasting	March 19/20, 2026	29/30 Ramadan
Eid al-Fitr	March 20/21, 2026	1 Shawwal 1447

Eid al-Fitr Checklist

• Pay Zakat al-Fitr before Eid prayer (required for every Muslim)
• Ghusl (ritual bath) on Eid morning
• Eat something sweet before Eid prayer (Sunnah)
• Wear your best clothes
• Recite Takbeer on the way to prayer
• Attend Eid prayer at mosque or Eid ground
• Give Eid gifts and visit family

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Fasting Hours in 2026

Ramadan 2026 falls in late winter/early spring (Northern Hemisphere):

Location	Fasting Hours
Equator (Singapore)	~12-13 hours
Southern USA (Houston)	~11-12 hours
Northern USA (Chicago)	~11-13 hours
UK (London)	~11-13 hours
Scandinavia	~12-14 hours

Good news: Shorter fasting hours compared to summer Ramadans!

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What Time Does Fasting Start Each Day?

Fasting begins at Fajr (true dawn) — when the first horizontal light appears on the eastern horizon. This is typically 60-90 minutes before sunrise. Your pre-dawn meal (suhoor) must be finished before Fajr begins.

First Day Fajr Times (February 18, 2026)

City	Fajr Time	Sunrise
New York, USA	~5:45 AM	~6:50 AM
Los Angeles, USA	~5:35 AM	~6:30 AM
London, UK	~5:30 AM	~7:00 AM
Dubai, UAE	~5:30 AM	~6:45 AM
Karachi, Pakistan	~5:35 AM	~6:45 AM
Sydney, Australia	~5:00 AM	~6:30 AM

Times are approximate. Always verify with your local mosque or prayer time calculator.

When to Stop Eating (Suhoor)

The Quran says to eat and drink “until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct from the black thread” (2:187). This refers to Fajr time. Best practice: Stop eating 10-15 minutes before Fajr to be safe. Many prayer time apps show a separate “Imsak” time as a reminder.

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How Does Ramadan Appear in the Gregorian vs Islamic Calendar?

Ramadan 2026 spans February and March in the Gregorian calendar but is always the 9th month of the Islamic Hijri calendar, falling in 1447 AH. Over approximately 33 years, Ramadan cycles through all four Gregorian seasons due to the lunar calendar’s shorter year.

Ramadan 2026 spans two Gregorian months but is always the 9th month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar:

Calendar	Month	Year
Gregorian	February–March	2026
Islamic (Hijri)	Ramadan (9th month)	1447 AH

Over approximately 33 years, Ramadan cycles through all four seasons and all 12 Gregorian months. Muslims experience Ramadan in summer (long, hot fasts), winter (short, cool fasts), and everything in between over a lifetime.

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Why Does Ramadan Move Each Year?

The Islamic calendar is lunar (354 days) vs. Gregorian solar (365 days). This ~11-day difference means Ramadan shifts earlier each year:

Year	Ramadan Starts	Islamic Year	Duration
2024	March 11	1445 AH	30 days
2025	March 1	1446 AH	29 days
2026	February 18	1447 AH	29-30 days
2027	February 8	1448 AH	29-30 days
2028	January 28	1449 AH	29-30 days

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What Are the Next Steps to Prepare for Ramadan?

The next steps to prepare for Ramadan include reading the complete Ramadan guide, finding local mosques for Taraweeh prayers, learning about Taraweeh night prayer, and checking predicted Eid dates. Start today to make the most of the blessed month.

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Ramadan Mubarak! May this Ramadan be blessed for you and your family.

Last updated: February 16, 2026