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When Is Ramadan? (Fasting Start & End Dates)

Last updated: May 31, 2026

Written by Blake Boege

An educational resource and countdown tool details the date rules and observance dates for Ramadan. Users search for this to find when the holiday is next celebrated, view a ticking countdown, and check upcoming dates.

Find the estimated start and end dates for Ramadan, including a live ticking countdown, upcoming dates from 2026 to 2030, and history.

Quick Answer

In 2026, Ramadan is estimated to begin on the evening of Tuesday, February 17, 2026, and end on the evening of Wednesday, March 18, 2026.

Direct answer

In 2026, Ramadan is estimated to begin on the evening of Tuesday, February 17, 2026, and end on the evening of Wednesday, March 18, 2026.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Because the Islamic calendar is strictly lunar, it shifts 10 to 11 days earlier in the Gregorian calendar each year. Its start depends on the visual sighting of the crescent moon.

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Examples

Calendar Month

9th Month of Islamic Calendar

Duration

29 or 30 Days

Key Observance

Fasting from Dawn to Sunset

How it works

This page displays when Ramadan is observed and counts down to the next upcoming occurrence.

Because Ramadan follows a lunar-based calendar, the dates are loaded from a verified astronomical calendar dataset for high accuracy.

When is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Because the Islamic calendar is strictly lunar, it shifts 10 to 11 days earlier in the Gregorian calendar each year. Its start depends on the visual sighting of the crescent moon.

How is the date determined?

The Islamic calendar is purely lunar. Ramadan begins when the first crescent of the new moon is sighted. Local announcements depend on moon-sighting committees, which can lead to variance in different regions.

A brief history and background

Ramadan commemorates the month in which the Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad by the Angel Gabriel. The daily fast is broken with a meal called Iftar, often starting with dates, and is characterized by charity (Zakat) and community prayers (Tarawih).

Is it a US federal holiday?

No, Ramadan is not a federal holiday in the United States. Federal offices, banks, and post offices remain open, though it is celebrated and observed widely.

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Frequently asked questions

In 2026, Ramadan is estimated to begin on the evening of Tuesday, February 17, and conclude on Wednesday, March 18.

Fasting (Sawm) is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. It aims to build self-discipline, empathy for the poor, and a closer relationship with God.

Yes, because the start relies on astronomical sightings of the crescent moon, different countries or organizations may start fasting one day apart.