When is Ramadan 2026? Ramadan 2026 (1447 AH) is expected to begin on the evening of Wednesday, February 18, 2026, with the first full fasting day on Thursday, February 19, 2026. Ramadan is expected to end around Thursday, March 19, 2026, with Eid al-Fitr falling on or around Friday, March 20, 2026.
These are the most reliable estimates based on astronomical calculation. The exact Ramadan 2026 start date in your country depends on local moon sighting (hilal رؤية الهلال) announcements, which can shift the date by a day in either direction.
Ramadan 2026 Calendar — Quick Reference
| Event | Expected Date 2026 |
|---|---|
| Ramadan 2026 start date (1st fasting day) | Thursday, February 19, 2026 |
| Laylat al-Qadr (likely night, 27th) | Around the night of March 16–17, 2026 |
| Last day of Ramadan | Wednesday, March 18, 2026 |
| Eid al-Fitr 2026 | Thursday or Friday, March 19–20, 2026 |
| Ramadan 2026 time | 29 or 30 days (confirmed by moon sighting) |
This Ramadan 2026 calendar is calculated using the Islamic lunar calendar, which is roughly 10–11 days shorter than the Gregorian solar year — which is why the Ramadan date moves earlier each year. Always treat the date Ramadan 2026 falls on as provisional until your local Islamic authority confirms moon sighting.
Ramadan 2026 Dates by Country
The Ramadan 2026 start date can vary by a day depending on whether a country follows local moon sighting or astronomical calculation. Here's what to expect:
🇸🇦 Ramadan 2026 in Saudi Arabia
The Umm al-Qura calendar and the Supreme Court's moon-sighting committee typically announce the date a day or two in advance. Expected start: February 18–19, 2026.
🇦🇪 Ramadan 2026 in UAE
The UAE moon-sighting committee usually aligns closely with Saudi Arabia. Expected start: February 18–19, 2026.
🇶🇦 Ramadan 2026 in Qatar
Qatar follows the regional Gulf moon-sighting consensus, typically matching Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Expected start: February 18–19, 2026.
🇲🇾 Ramadan 2026 in Malaysia
Malaysia's Department of Islamic Development (JAKIM) conducts its own moon sighting and may announce a date one day after the Gulf states due to longitude differences. Expected start: February 19–20, 2026.
🇵🇰 Ramadan 2026 in Pakistan
The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee in Pakistan announces the official date, often a day after Saudi Arabia. Expected start: February 19–20, 2026.
🇺🇸 Ramadan 2026 in the USA
Most Islamic centers in the USA follow either local moon sighting (per the Fiqh Council of North America) or align with Saudi Arabia's announcement. Expected start: February 18–19, 2026. Check with your local masjid for the confirmed date.
Bottom line: No matter which country you're in, treat mid-to-late February 2026 as the working window, and confirm the exact date with your local mosque or Islamic authority once the moon-sighting announcement is made.
Why "When Is Ramadan" Changes Every Year
The Islamic (Hijri) calendar is purely lunar — 12 months of about 29.5 days each, totaling roughly 354 days. The Gregorian calendar is solar, at 365 days. That 10–11 day gap is why Ramadan date shifts earlier every Gregorian year. In 2025, Ramadan began around March 1. In 2026, it shifts to mid-to-late February. By 2027, expect early February. Over a 33-year cycle, Ramadan rotates through every season.
This is also why asking "when is Ramadan" only has a precise answer about 1–2 weeks before it starts — astronomical calculation gives a strong estimate, but the religiously authoritative date depends on hilal sighting.
Make Ramadan 2026 the Year You Actually Finish the Quran
Every year, millions of Muslims start Ramadan with the goal of completing a full khatm (ختم) — finishing the entire Quran cover to cover. Most begin strong in the first ten days. By the middle of the month, momentum drops. Iftar gatherings, work, and exhaustion eat into reading time.
This is not a discipline problem — it's a design problem. For a full day-by-day reading plan with juz targets for every pace, see our guide: Ramadan Quran Plan — How to Complete All 30 Juz.
Try the Quran Gate reading experience right now
Below is the actual interactive reading ritual from Quran Gate — the same swipe-through experience that unlocks after you complete your daily reading. Try it:
Why Quran Gate is built for Ramadan — and the eleven months after it
Sequential progress, not random verses Quran Gate doesn't show you a random ayah each time. Your position advances continuously through the mushaf — pick up exactly where you left off, whether it's been five minutes or five hours.
A habit that survives after Eid The honest truth about Ramadan reading habits: most collapse the week after Eid al-Fitr. Quran Gate is designed differently — it gates your most-used apps (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube) behind your daily reading ritual, all year round. The structure that gets you through Ramadan is the same structure that keeps you reading in Shawwal, Dhul Hijjah, and beyond. Read more on why this works in The Science of Habit Replacement.
Clean, distraction-free UX No clutter, no social feed competing for your attention mid-ayah. Just the Quran, rendered in proper Uthmanic script with accurate Tajweed coloring.
Khayr and thawab, made consistent The reward (ثواب thawab) of reading the Quran is not limited to Ramadan — but Ramadan multiplies it, and the Prophet ﷺ described Gabriel reciting the Quran to him specifically during this month. Finishing your khatm this Ramadan and maintaining the habit afterward is how you carry the khayr (خير) of this month into the rest of your year.
For our full comparison of Quran Gate against other reading apps, see 7 Best Apps for Reading Quran in 2026.
Download Quran Gate free on the App Store →
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Ramadan 2026? Ramadan 2026 is expected to begin around February 18–19, 2026, and end around March 18–19, 2026, pending official moon sighting.
What is the Ramadan 2026 start date in Saudi Arabia? Expected to be February 18 or 19, 2026, based on the Umm al-Qura calendar and Supreme Court moon-sighting announcement.
How many days is Ramadan 2026? Ramadan is either 29 or 30 days, confirmed by moon sighting at the end of the month — this is standard for every Hijri month.
Why does the Ramadan date change every year? The Islamic calendar is lunar (about 354 days per year) while the Gregorian calendar is solar (365 days), creating an 10–11 day shift backward each year.
What is the best app to read Quran during and after Ramadan? Quran Gate is designed specifically to help you read consistently both during Ramadan and the eleven months that follow — see our full ranking in 7 Best Apps for Reading Quran in 2026.
Related reading:
- Ramadan Quran Plan — How to Complete All 30 Juz
- Building a Quran Habit After Ramadan Ends
- 7 Best Apps for Reading Quran in 2026
- The Science of Habit Replacement
Download Quran Gate free on the App Store →
Dates in this guide are astronomical estimates. Always confirm the exact Ramadan 2026 start date with your local mosque or national Islamic authority once the moon-sighting announcement is made.