How Is the Start of Ramadan Determined?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar. Its start is determined by the sighting of the new crescent moon (hilal) on the evening of the 29th of Sha'ban (the month preceding Ramadan). If the crescent is sighted, Ramadan begins the following day. If the crescent is not sighted, Sha'ban is completed to 30 days, and Ramadan begins the day after.

Because the Islamic calendar is purely lunar, Ramadan begins approximately 10-12 days earlier in the Gregorian calendar each year. This means the expected start date shifts through all seasons over a 33-year cycle. In 2026, Ramadan is expected to begin in late February or early March (Gregorian), though the exact date depends on crescent visibility at your location.

Why Different Countries Start Ramadan on Different Days

Each year, the Muslim world experiences confusion when some countries announce the start of Ramadan a day before or after others. This discrepancy is caused by several factors:

• Geographic differences: The curvature of the Earth means the crescent moon may be visible in western regions (e.g., Morocco, West Africa, the Americas) but not yet visible in eastern regions (e.g., Southeast Asia, Australia) on the same evening.
• Methodological differences: Some countries (like Saudi Arabia) use physical sighting committees, while others (like Turkey) use pre-calculated astronomical criteria. Some accept optical-aided sighting while others require naked-eye observation only.
• Shared night debate: When Saudi Arabia announces Ramadan based on a sighting, other countries must decide whether to follow that announcement or wait for their own local sighting. The scholarly debate about shared night (ishtirak al-layl) directly impacts this decision.

Predict Ramadan 2026 for Your City

Moon Visibility Explorer can predict the exact start date of Ramadan for over 70 major cities worldwide. Here's how:

1. Go to the home page and select your city from the dropdown menu.
2. Set the reference date to any date in late Sha'ban (typically late February for 2026).
3. Click "Calculate Lunar Calendar" to generate a full 12-month Hijri calendar.
4. Find Ramadan in the generated calendar — it will show the predicted Night 1 (first evening of Ramadan) in the Gregorian calendar.
5. The calendar also shows whether the prediction is based on direct visibility or shared night inheritance.

Ramadan Preparation Checklist

Once you know the predicted start date of Ramadan, you can begin preparing:

• Add dates to your calendar: Use our Google Calendar export feature to add Ramadan start and end dates, as well as Eid al-Fitr, directly to your calendar app.
• Inform your workplace or school: Share the predicted dates with your employer or school so they can plan accommodations for fasting employees or students.
• Plan your moon sighting: If your community relies on local crescent sighting, use our moon sighting tips to prepare for the 29th of Sha'ban observation.
• Share with your community: Export the lunar calendar as a PDF and distribute it to your local mosque or Islamic center.

Get the Full Hijri Calendar for 2026

Don't stop at Ramadan — generate a complete 12-month Hijri calendar for your city including all Islamic months, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and more. Try Moon Visibility Explorer now →