what day is ramadan
Ramadan in 2026 is expected to begin on the evening of Tuesday, 17 February 2026 , with the first full day of fasting on Wednesday, 18 February 2026 , subject to local moon sighting.
Key dates for Ramadan 2026
- Expected start (moon sighted evening): Tuesday, 17 February 2026.
- First fasting day for most communities: Wednesday, 18 February 2026.
- Expected end of Ramadan: evening of Wednesday, 18 March 2026 (some sources mention 19–21 March depending on calculation and moon sighting).
- Expected Eid al-Fitr: around Thursday, 19 March or Friday, 20 March 2026 , varying by country and method.
Because Ramadan follows the lunar calendar, the exact day can differ by 1–2 days depending on where you live and whether your mosque follows local moon sighting or global/astronomical calculations.
Why dates differ online
Different reputable Islamic sites give slightly different date ranges for 2026:
- Some list the start as evening of 17 February – evening of 18 March.
- Others give evening of 18 February – evening of 19 March or 21 March.
This happens because:
- The new moon can be visible on different evenings in different regions.
- Some organisations use pre-calculated calendars, others wait for live sighting.
Simple rule of thumb for you
- Use online dates as a guide (plan your work, school, travel).
- Closer to the time, ask your local mosque or Islamic centre ; they will confirm the official start for your area.
Mini “Quick Scoop” forum-style note
A lot of 2026 Ramadan calendars agree that you should be ready from the evening of 17 February , and expect your first suhūr and ifṭār of Ramadan on 18 February 2026 where you live, give or take a day based on moon sighting.
Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.