When Is Ramadan 2027? Expected Dates and Moon Sighting
Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin Monday, Feb 8, and Eid al-Fitr around Mar 9, subject to moon sighting. See the dates and how to prepare.
By Embrace Relief Team · Updated October 14, 2026
The useful part before the long read.
Expected first day of Ramadan 2027: Monday, February 8, 2027 (Umm al-Qura calendar), subject to moon sighting.
Expected Eid al-Fitr: Tuesday, March 9, 2027, subject to moon sighting.
The Islamic year is about 10 to 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year, so Ramadan moves earlier each year.
Your local mosque or national moon-sighting authority announces the official start in your area.
Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin on Monday, February 8, 2027, according to the Umm al-Qura calendar (1 Ramadan 1448 AH), with the evening of Sunday, February 7 as the likely night to look for the new crescent. Eid al-Fitr is expected on Tuesday, March 9, 2027. These are calculated dates. The actual first day depends on the sighting of the crescent moon (hilal), and it can differ by about a day between countries and communities.
When does Ramadan 2027 start and end?
| Event | Expected date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Evening to look for the crescent | Sunday, February 7, 2027 | The 29th of Sha'ban. Local committees announce whether the moon was sighted. |
| First day of Ramadan (first fast) | Monday, February 8, 2027 | Umm al-Qura calendar. Some regions may begin on February 9. |
| Last day of Ramadan | Monday, March 8, 2027 | The month lasts 29 or 30 days. The Umm al-Qura calendar gives 29. |
| Eid al-Fitr | Tuesday, March 9, 2027 | Subject to moon sighting. It may fall a day later in some places. |
Dates come from the Umm al-Qura calendar for 2027, which is calculated in advance for Mecca and used for civil purposes in Saudi Arabia. A second calendar source, islamicdates.org, also gives February 8, 2027 for 1 Ramadan. The religious announcement can differ from the printed calendar by a day, so treat these as expected dates and confirm with your local mosque closer to the time.
What if the moon is not sighted?
| Scenario | First day of Ramadan |
|---|---|
| Crescent is sighted or accepted on the evening of February 7 | Monday, February 8, 2027 |
| Crescent is not sighted on February 7, so Sha'ban completes 30 days | Tuesday, February 9, 2027 |
The same logic applies at the end of the month. Eid al-Fitr begins after the Shawwal crescent is sighted or Ramadan completes 30 days, which is why two communities in the same city can sometimes celebrate Eid on different days. Our guide on why Eid dates vary explains this in more detail.
Why does Ramadan start earlier every year?
Ramadan follows the Islamic (Hijri) lunar calendar. A lunar year is about 354 days, while a Gregorian year is 365 or 366 days. Because of this gap of 10 to 11 days, Ramadan moves earlier on the Gregorian calendar each year and, over about three decades, passes through every season. That is why fasting hours are shorter in some years and longer in others, and why Ramadan 2027 falls in February.
How is the start of Ramadan decided?
Communities use different methods, and each is based on scholarly reasoning:
- Local moon sighting. The crescent must be seen locally on the evening of the 29th of Sha'ban.
- Global or regional sighting. A sighting in one place is accepted for a wider region.
- Astronomical calculation. The date is set in advance by calculation, as with the Umm al-Qura calendar.
Follow the announcement of your local mosque or the authority your community follows. As the week of Ramadan approaches, this is the date that matters most for you. For the Saudi system, the Supreme Court hears testimony of the sighting on the 29th evening, and its announcement can fall one day before or after the printed calendar date.
What happens during Ramadan?
- Suhoor is the pre-dawn meal. See our suhoor and iftar nutrition guide.
- Fasting (sawm) runs from dawn to sunset and is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Read what breaks a fast and who should fast.
- Iftar is the meal that breaks the fast, often beginning with dates and water.
- Taraweeh are special night prayers, and many Muslims also increase Qur'an recitation and charity during the month.
The month commemorates the first revelation of the Qur'an to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). New to Ramadan? Start with Ramadan explained simply or the rules of Ramadan.
How can I prepare before February 2027?
- Mark both dates. Put February 8 and a possible February 9 in your calendar, and confirm with your mosque on February 7.
- Adjust your routine. Move your sleep earlier and cut back on caffeine a few weeks before.
- Plan your giving. Many families decide in advance how they will give charity and Zakat during the month, so it does not become a rush in the last days. Our Zakat page has a calculator.
- Check with your doctor. If you have a health condition or take medicine, plan before the month begins.
Frequently asked questions
When is Ramadan 2027?
Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin on Monday, February 8, 2027, and end on Monday, March 8, 2027, according to the Umm al-Qura calendar. The official start depends on moon sighting and may differ by a day.
When is Eid al-Fitr 2027?
Eid al-Fitr 2027 is expected on Tuesday, March 9, 2027, subject to moon sighting. In some places it may fall a day later.
Why is the date of Ramadan different in different countries?
Countries and communities follow different methods: local sighting, wider regional sighting, or astronomical calculation. Because of this, Ramadan can begin on different days, usually within a day of each other.
How many days is Ramadan?
Ramadan lasts 29 or 30 days, depending on when the new crescent moon is sighted or accepted.
How is Ramadan 2027 different from 2026?
Ramadan 2027 begins about 10 to 11 days earlier than Ramadan 2026 because the Islamic lunar year is shorter than the Gregorian year.