When is Ramadan 2026? Expected start and end dates

Introduction — why the dates matter

Knowing when Ramadan falls each year is important for millions of Muslims and for organisations, employers and communities that plan around the month of fasting. The exact dates affect religious observances, workplace adjustments, schooling timetables and charity activities. Public interest in when is ramadan 2026 centres on varying forecasts and the role of moon sighting in confirming the start and finish.

Main details — the different expectations for 2026

Forecasts from public information

Available information presents slightly different expectations for the 2026 season. One source expects Ramadan in 2026 to begin on Tuesday 17 February 2026 and to end on the evening of Wednesday 18 March 2026, with the caveat that these dates depend on the sighting of the moon.

Alternative dates and council guidance

Another source gives an expected start on the evening of Wednesday 18 February 2026 and a conclusion on the evening of Thursday 19 March 2026. In addition, the Fiqh Council of North America has stated that the first day of fasting will be on 18 February 2026. These differing dates reflect the practical and regional variations that arise each year.

Why the dates differ

The discrepancies in the expected start and end dates stem from the way the Islamic lunar calendar is observed. Some communities rely on local visual sighting of the new moon, while others follow astronomical calculations or decisions by particular religious councils. As the information provided notes, the final determination for 2026 will depend on moon sighting and the guidance of local and regional authorities.

Conclusion — what readers should take away

Readers should treat the February–March 2026 dates as provisional. Current information points to either 17–18 February as the expected start window and either 18–19 March as the likely end window, with the Fiqh Council of North America indicating 18 February 2026 as the first day of fasting. Individuals and organisations planning around Ramadan should follow announcements from local mosques, national religious bodies and community leaders as the new moon is sighted and official confirmations are issued.