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

When does Ramadan start?

  • Many Islamic calendars place the start of Ramadan 2026 on the evening of 17 February , making 18 February the first day of fasting for most communities.
  • Because Ramadan begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon , some countries may start a day earlier or later, so local mosque announcements always take priority.

Why the date can differ

  • The Islamic calendar is lunar , so months are 29–30 days and shift about 11 days earlier each Gregorian year.
  • Some communities follow actual moon sighting , others use astronomical calculations , which is why you might see a 1–2 day variation in “when does Ramadan start” from different sources.

What this means for you

  • If you are planning fasting, events, or travel, use mid‑February 2026 (around 17–18 February) as a working estimate, then confirm the exact start with your local mosque or Islamic authority closer to the date.
  • Online Ramadan countdown tools and national Islamic councils will usually update their guidance as soon as the moon‑sighting decision is made in each country.

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