How long does Ramadan last?
Question · One of the most asked questions about Ramadan
Is Ramadan always exactly 30 days? I want to know how many days of fasting to expect so I can plan my work schedule.
Short answer
Ramadan lasts 29 or 30 days, because it is a lunar month that ends when the new crescent of Shawwal is seen. Each day's fast runs from dawn until sunset.
Detailed answer
Ramadan lasts either 29 or 30 days. It is a month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and lunar months are never longer than 30 days or shorter than 29. Whether a particular Ramadan has 29 or 30 days depends on when the new crescent moon of the next month, Shawwal, is sighted.
What the Sunnah says
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) explained that a month can be twenty-nine days, and told the believers not to fast until they see the crescent and not to stop fasting until they see it; and if it is hidden by clouds, to complete thirty days (Bukhari and Muslim). So on the evening of the 29th of Ramadan, people look for the new moon. If it is seen, the next day is Eid al-Fitr. If not, Ramadan completes 30 days. Scholars explain that a 29-day Ramadan is just as complete in reward as a 30-day one.
Ramadan 2027
Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin on Monday 8 February 2027, with Eid al-Fitr expected on Tuesday 9 March 2027 according to the Umm al-Qura calendar, which would make it a 29-day month. In some countries the dates may shift by a day after the local moon sighting. See Ramadan dates for your country.
How long is each fast?
Every day of Ramadan, the fast begins at true dawn (the start of Fajr time) and ends at sunset (Maghrib). Allah says: "eat and drink until the white thread of dawn becomes distinct to you from the black thread, then complete the fast until night" (Al-Baqarah 2:187). The number of hours depends on where you live and the season. You can check the exact daily times on our prayer times page.
What if I missed some days?
If you miss fasts for a valid reason, such as illness, travel or menstruation, you make up the same number of days after Ramadan. If you began Ramadan a day late, for example after moving between countries, and ended up fasting only 28 days, you make up one day afterwards, because a month cannot be shorter than 29 days.
Read more: Is Ramadan 29 or 30 days? and fasting hours in Ramadan.
These answers give the general ruling based on the Quran, the Sunnah and the mainstream view of scholars. For a personal situation, ask a qualified scholar you trust.
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