Ramadan in 2026 is expected to start on the evening of Tuesday, 17 February 2026, with the first full day of fasting on Wednesday, 18 February 2026, depending on local moon sighting.

Quick Scoop: What day does Ramadan start?

For 2026, most Islamic calendars and major charities currently estimate:

  • Start (evening): Tuesday, 17 February 2026 (when Ramadan begins at sunset).
  • First fasting day: Wednesday, 18 February 2026.
  • End of Ramadan: Around Wednesday–Thursday, 18–19 March 2026, with Eid al-Fitr expected on 19–20 March 2026 depending on the source and moon sighting.

Because Ramadan follows the lunar calendar, the exact date can shift by a day, based on when your local community confirms the crescent moon.

Why dates look slightly different online

If you search “what day does Ramadan start,” you’ll notice:

  • Some sites say Ramadan starts the evening of 17 February 2026.
  • Others list Wednesday, 18 February 2026 , focusing on the first full fasting day.
  • All of them add a note that the final confirmation depends on the moon sighting in each region.

A simple way to think of it:

The calendar start is the evening of 17 February 2026, but what most people feel as “Day 1 of fasting” is 18 February 2026 (subject to your local mosque’s announcement).

Mini FAQ

1. Why can Ramadan change by a day?
Because it begins with sighting the new crescent moon. Astronomical calculations give a forecast, but religious authorities in each country or community confirm the exact start after physically sighting (or officially declaring) the moon.

2. Will my country have the same date as others?
Not always. Some follow local moon sighting, others follow a regional or global authority, so you might start a day earlier or later than another country.

3. How should I be sure for my area?
Check near mid‑February 2026 with:

  • Your local mosque or Islamic center
  • Your national Islamic council’s website or social pages
    They will publish the confirmed start date after the moon‑sighting decision.

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