how long does lent last

Lent lasts 40 days , not counting Sundays, in most Western Christian traditions.

Basic duration

• Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday , the day before Easter Sunday.

• The 40‑day span excludes Sundays because each Sunday is treated as a “mini‑Easter” and not a fast day.

Why 40 days?

• The number 40 symbolizes the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness before beginning his public ministry.

• Different rites count the days slightly differently (for example, some end Lent on Holy Thursday), but the symbolic 40‑day fast is consistent.

Quick‑reference table

Detail| Typical Western practice (e.g., Roman Catholic, many Protestants)
---|---
Starts| Ash Wednesday 35
Ends| Holy Saturday (day before Easter Sunday) 39
Number of days counted| 40 days (excluding Sundays) 59
Total calendar span| About 46 days from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday 13
Symbolic meaning| Jesus’ 40‑day fast in the wilderness 35

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.