Convert between Gregorian (Western) and Hijri (Islamic) calendar dates instantly.
| Event | Hijri Date | Gregorian Date (Est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Ramadan Begins | 1 Ramadan 1447 | ~February 18, 2026 |
| Laylat al-Qadr | 27 Ramadan 1447 | ~March 16, 2026 |
| Eid al-Fitr | 1 Shawwal 1447 | ~March 20, 2026 |
| Day of Arafah | 9 Dhul Hijjah 1447 | ~May 27, 2026 |
| Eid al-Adha | 10 Dhul Hijjah 1447 | ~May 28, 2026 |
| Islamic New Year | 1 Muharram 1448 | ~June 17, 2026 |
| Ashura | 10 Muharram 1448 | ~June 26, 2026 |
| Mawlid al-Nabi | 12 Rabi al-Awwal 1448 | ~August 27, 2026 |
The Islamic calendar, known as the Hijri calendar (التقويم الهجري), is a lunar calendar consisting of 12 months that is used by approximately 1.9 billion Muslims worldwide. Understanding this calendar is essential for determining the dates of Islamic observances, calculating Zakat payment deadlines, planning for Hajj, and coordinating with the widely-used Gregorian calendar in daily life.
The most fundamental difference between the two calendars lies in their astronomical basis. The Gregorian calendar follows the Earth's orbit around the Sun (solar calendar), making each year approximately 365.25 days long. The Hijri calendar follows the cycles of the Moon (lunar calendar), with each month beginning at the sighting of the new crescent moon. This makes each Hijri month either 29 or 30 days, and the Hijri year approximately 354 days — roughly 10 to 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year.
This difference means that Islamic dates shift earlier by about 10-11 days each Gregorian year. Ramadan, for example, moves through all four seasons over a cycle of approximately 33 years. This is why Ramadan falls in winter some years and summer in others.
| # | Month | Days | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muharram | 30 | Sacred month; Ashura on the 10th |
| 2 | Safar | 29 | — |
| 3 | Rabi al-Awwal | 30 | Birth of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (12th) |
| 4 | Rabi al-Thani | 29 | — |
| 5 | Jumada al-Ula | 30 | — |
| 6 | Jumada al-Thani | 29 | — |
| 7 | Rajab | 30 | Sacred month; Isra and Mi'raj (27th) |
| 8 | Sha'ban | 29 | Mid-Sha'ban (15th); preparation for Ramadan |
| 9 | Ramadan | 30 | Month of fasting; Laylat al-Qadr |
| 10 | Shawwal | 29 | Eid al-Fitr (1st); Six voluntary fasts |
| 11 | Dhul Qi'dah | 30 | Sacred month; preparation for Hajj |
| 12 | Dhul Hijjah | 29-30 | Hajj pilgrimage; Eid al-Adha (10th) |
There are many practical reasons why Muslims regularly need to convert between Hijri and Gregorian dates. Determining when Ramadan begins and ends each year requires knowing the corresponding Gregorian dates. Calculating your Zakat anniversary (Hawl) requires tracking lunar year completion. Planning for Hajj involves coordinating Islamic dates with travel arrangements based on the Gregorian calendar. Scheduling Eid celebrations with work and school calendars requires accurate conversion. Knowing the exact dates of sacred months like Muharram and Rajab helps with voluntary fasting and worship planning.
Our converter uses the Umm al-Qura calendar, which is the official calendar of Saudi Arabia and is widely accepted across the Muslim world. This calendar uses astronomical calculations to predict the visibility of the new crescent moon, providing reliable date conversions that align closely with actual moon sighting announcements.
🌙 Note: While astronomical calculations provide reliable estimates, actual Islamic dates may vary by one day depending on local moon sighting practices. Always confirm important dates with your local mosque or Islamic authority.
The Hijri calendar begins from the year of the Prophet Muhammad's ﷺ migration (Hijra) from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE. This pivotal event marks the establishment of the first Muslim community and the beginning of the Islamic era. The calendar was officially established during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA), who recognized the need for a standardized dating system for the growing Muslim community.
The current Hijri year is 1447 AH (Anno Hegirae), corresponding approximately to 2025-2026 CE. The Hijri calendar will reach 1448 AH around June 2026.