Gregorian ↔ Lunar Calendar Conversion
Convert any date between the Gregorian (solar) and Chinese lunar calendars. Discover your zodiac animal, solar term, and leap month status. The Chinese calendar is lunisolar — months follow the moon, leap months keep the year aligned with seasons.
Why Time Matters
Why: The Chinese lunar calendar governs festivals (Lunar New Year, Mid-Autumn), traditional agriculture, and astrology. Converting between Gregorian and lunar dates helps plan travel, understand birth charts, and celebrate cultural events.
How: We use LNY (Lunar New Year) day-of-year tables and leap month data for 1900–2100. Gregorian→Lunar: compute days from LNY, map to month/day. Lunar→Gregorian: iterate months from LNY, add days.
- ●LNY falls Jan 21–Feb 21
- ●7 leap months per 19 years
- ●12 zodiac animals
- ●24 solar terms
📋 Quick Examples — Click to Load
📊 Lunar Date Overview
📊 Your Zodiac in Cycle
📊 Year Length Comparison
📊 Month Structure
For educational and informational purposes only. Verify with a qualified professional.
🕐 Time Facts
19 solar years ≈ 235 lunar months (Metonic cycle)
— Astronomy
Leap month repeats a month number to sync with solar year
— Chinese Calendar
Synodic month ≈ 29.53 days
— NIST
The Chinese lunar calendar is lunisolar: months follow the moon (29–30 days), but leap months keep the year aligned with the seasons. 19 solar years ≈ 235 lunar months (Metonic cycle). Lunar New Year falls between Jan 21 and Feb 21. Each year has a zodiac animal (Rat, Ox, Tiger, etc.) and 24 solar terms.
Key Takeaways
- • Chinese lunar calendar has 12 months (29–30 days) and sometimes a leap month.
- • 19-year Metonic cycle: 7 leap years in 19 years to sync with solar year.
- • Lunar New Year falls between Jan 21 and Feb 21.
- • Each year has a zodiac animal (Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig).
Did You Know?
How Does Lunar Conversion Work?
Gregorian → Lunar
Uses LNY day-of-year tables and leap month data. Days from LNY determine month and day.
Lunar → Gregorian
Iterates months (including leap) from LNY, adds days to get Gregorian date.
Accuracy
Approximate for 1900–2100. Official calendar uses astronomical data.
Expert Tips
Calendar Comparison
| Calendar | Year | Month | Leap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gregorian | 365–366 days | 28–31 days | Feb 29 |
| Chinese Lunar | 354–355 days | 29–30 days | Leap month |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Metonic cycle?
19 solar years ≈ 235 lunar months. So 7 leap months in 19 years keep the lunar calendar aligned with the seasons. The cycle was named after Meton of Athens (5th century BCE).
When is a leap month in the Chinese calendar?
When the lunar year would drift from the solar year. The leap month repeats a month number (e.g. two 4th months). There are 7 leap months in every 19-year Metonic cycle.
What are solar terms?
24 points dividing the solar year (e.g. Lichun = Start of Spring, Dongzhi = Winter Solstice). They mark seasonal transitions and are used in traditional Chinese agriculture and festivals.
How accurate is this lunar calendar converter?
Approximate. The official Chinese calendar uses astronomical calculations from authorities. For precise dates (e.g. legal, religious), consult authoritative sources like timeanddate.com.
What is Zhēngyuè?
Zhēngyuè is the 1st month of the lunar year — the month containing Lunar New Year. It typically falls between late January and mid-February in the Gregorian calendar.
How many days are in a lunar year?
A standard lunar year has 354–355 days. With a leap month, it can have 383–384 days. This is why Lunar New Year shifts by 11–12 days each Gregorian year.
Key Statistics
Official Data Sources
⚠️ Disclaimer: Lunar calendar conversion is approximate. The official Chinese calendar is determined by astronomical authorities. For critical applications, verify with official sources.
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