When Is Ramadan 2026? Dates, Moon Sighting, and Prayer Times

Ramadan 2026 is expected to begin on the evening of Tuesday, 17 February 2026, with the first day of fasting on Wednesday, 18 February 2026, subject to moon sighting. The holy month is expected to end around 19 or 20 March 2026, followed by Eid al-Fitr 2026.

“Allah said, ‘Every good deed of Adam’s son is for him except fasting; it is for Me. and I shall reward (the fasting person) for it.’ Verily, the smell of the mouth of a fasting person is better to Allah than the smell of musk.”

-Sahih al-Bukhari 5927

Ramadan follows the Islamic lunar calendar; the exact dates may vary by country depending on moon sighting practices. Below is a complete, easy-to-understand guide to Ramadan 2026 dates, moon-sighting rules, and prayer times.

When Does Ramadan 2026 Start and End?

Ramadan begins with the sighting of the crescent moon marking the start of the Islamic month of Ramadan 1447 Hijri.

  • Expected start of Ramadan 2026: Evening of 17 February
  • First fast: 18 February 2026
  • Expected end of Ramadan 2026: 19–20 March 2026
  • Eid al-Fitr 2026: Around 20–21 March 2026

Ramadan 2026 may end around Thursday, 19 or Friday, 20 March 2026, followed by Eid al-Fitr 2026. However, these dates are not officially confirmed until the crescent moon is sighted.

Important: Ramadan dates can vary by country due to regional moon sighting practices.

How Is the Ramadan 2026 Date Determined?

The Ramadan 2026 moon sighting determines the official start of fasting. There are two widely followed methods:

  1. Physical moon sighting (Hilal sighting) – followed in countries like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh
  2. Astronomical calculation – used in parts of the Middle East, Europe, and North America.

Due to these differences, the Ramadan 2026 start date may vary by one day across countries. This is normal every year.

When is Ramadan 2026 Prayer Times (Fajr, Maghrib & Taraweeh)

During Ramadan, prayer routines become more structured and spiritually intense. Ramadan prayer times 2026 vary daily and by location, based on sunrise and sunset.

Key prayer timings during Ramadan include:

  • Fajr – marks the start of the fast (Sehri)
  • Maghrib – marks the time to break the fast (Iftar)
  • Isha & Taraweeh – special nightly prayers performed after Isha

Since fasting hours depend on daylight length, Fajr and Maghrib timings in Ramadan 2026 will differ by city and country. Muslims are encouraged to follow accurate, location-based prayer schedules throughout the month.

Downloadable Ramadan Calendar 2026 by CMZ

A downloadable Ramadan calendar 2026 helps Muslims plan fasting days, daily prayers, and important nights throughout the holy month. Based on current projections from the Islamic calendar 2026 Ramadan, the following key dates are expected:

  • First Day of Ramadan 2026: Expected on 18 February 2026
  • Laylat al-Qadr 2026: Expected during the last 10 nights of Ramadan, most likely between 16 and 20 March 2026
  • Eid al-Fitr 2026: Expected around 20–21 March 2026, marking the end of Ramadan

Download Your Personalized Ramadan Calendar 2026 

A digital & downloadable Ramadan calendar, like the CMZ Ramadan Calendar, allows users to get their Ramadan Calendar 2026 in an easy-to-view, download, and share format!

With CMZ, users can create a personalized Ramadan calendar by selecting their masjid and location, ensuring accurate Suhoor, Iftar, and Taraweeh timings from their local masjid.  CMZ Ramadan calendar 2026 is more reliable than generic templates and especially useful for masajids, families, and communities looking to stay aligned throughout Ramadan 2026.

How ConnectMazjid Supports Communities During Ramadan

During Ramadan, access to accurate prayer times and masjid updates becomes especially important. ConnectMazjid helps Muslims stay informed by providing location-based prayer timings, Ramadan schedules, and masjid announcements in one centralized platform. By following updates shared by masjids, communities can easily access fasting times, Taraweeh schedules, and Ramadan-related information tailored to their area.

Get Your Masjid Ready for Ramadan 2026

Join ConnectMazjid to publish accurate Suhoor, Iftar, and Taraweeh timings for your congregation.

Get started with ConnectMazjid-Its Free!

Frequently Asked Questions

Ramadan 2026 is expected to start around 17th or 18th February 2026, depending on the moon sighting in each region. Since Islamic months follow the lunar calendar, the exact start date may vary by country.

Ramadan 2026 will last 29 or 30 days, depending on the visibility of the Shawwal moon that marks the end of the month.

You can refer to the CMZ Ramadan Calendar 2026, it has the full Ramadan timetable, including the first and last fasting day, so communities and families can plan ahead with confidence.

You can download or generate a Ramadan Calendar 2026 online using the CMZ Calendar tool. You can,

  • Create a personalized Ramadan calendar
  • View Suhoor, Iftar, and Taraweeh timings
  • Select your masjid and location
  • Share the calendar digitally with your community

Ramadan 2026 is expected to begin in the month of February 2026 and continue into March 2026, depending on moon sighting.

Eid al-Fitr 2026 is expected around 20–21 March 2026, subject to moon sighting.

Final Thoughts

Knowing when Ramadan 2026 starts, how moon sighting affects the dates, and how prayer times during Ramadan change daily helps Muslims prepare both spiritually and practically. Whether you are planning your fasts, prayers, or community activities, staying informed through a trusted Ramadan 2026 calendar ensures a smoother and more meaningful Ramadan.

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