How the date of Ramadan is set
Ramadan is the ninth month of the lunar Islamic calendar. Because the lunar year is about 354 days, Ramadan moves about 11 days earlier every year in the Gregorian calendar.
Key dates
- Ramadan: the month of fasting, 1st to 29th or 30th Ramadan.
- Eid al-Fitr: 1 Shawwal.
- Day of Arafah: 9 Dhu al-Hijjah.
- Eid al-Adha: 10 Dhu al-Hijjah.
- Islamic New Year: 1 Muharram.
- Ashura: 10 Muharram.
Eid holidays in Saudi Arabia
Private-sector Eid holidays are announced each year by the Ministry of Human Resources. Use the countdown to plan leave and travel early.
Frequently asked questions
How many days until Ramadan?
The countdown on this page updates every day using the Umm al-Qura calendar.
When is Eid al-Fitr?
On 1 Shawwal; the expected Gregorian date is shown in the table above.
Why does Ramadan change every year?
Because the Islamic calendar is lunar and about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year.