Date Converter (Hijri ⇄ Gregorian)
Navigate between calendar systems with ease! Our Date Converter allows you to accurately translate dates between the Gregorian (Western) calendar and the Hijri (Islamic, Umm al-Qura) calendar. Indispensable for scheduling, historical research, or understanding dates across cultures.
Date Conversion Tool
Convert Gregorian to Hijri (Umm al-Qura)
Convert Hijri (Umm al-Qura) to Gregorian
The Hijri calendar is a lunar calendar. This converter primarily uses the Umm al-Qura system for Hijri dates, which is a calculated calendar. Actual start dates of Hijri months, especially for religious observances like Ramadan or Eid, can depend on local moon sightings and may vary slightly from calculated dates.
How to Use the Date Converter
Our Date Converter allows for two-way conversions:
Gregorian to Hijri:
- In the "Gregorian to Hijri" section, enter the Gregorian day, month, and year into the respective fields.
- Click the "Convert to Hijri" button.
- The equivalent Hijri date (based on the Umm al-Qura calendar) will be displayed below.
Hijri to Gregorian:
- In the "Hijri to Gregorian" section, enter the Hijri day, month, and year.
- Click the "Convert to Gregorian" button.
- The approximate equivalent Gregorian date will be shown. Please note the disclaimer about potential variations for this conversion.
Ensure you enter valid numbers for days, months, and years for accurate results. The tool will provide error messages for invalid inputs.
About the Gregorian and Hijri Calendars
Gregorian Calendar: This is the most widely used civil calendar internationally. It's a solar calendar, based on the Earth's revolution around the Sun, with 365 days in a common year and 366 days in a leap year (occurring every 4 years, with exceptions).
Hijri Calendar (Islamic Calendar): This is a lunar calendar consisting of 12 lunar months in a year of 354 or 355 days. It is used to determine the proper days of Islamic holidays and rituals, such as the annual period of fasting (Ramadan) and the pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj). The Umm al-Qura calendar is a specific, calculated version of the Hijri calendar used officially in Saudi Arabia and by many Muslim communities to plan events. While based on astronomical calculations, the actual start of months for religious purposes can still rely on the physical sighting of the new moon in some regions.
Due to the differing lengths of the solar Gregorian year and the lunar Hijri year, Hijri dates "drift" relative to Gregorian dates by about 10 to 12 days each year.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which Hijri calendar system does this tool use?
For Gregorian to Hijri conversions, this tool primarily aims to use the Umm al-Qura calendar system, which is widely used and based on calculations. For Hijri to Gregorian, it uses an arithmetic approximation which is generally close to tabular Islamic calendars but may have slight variations from Umm al-Qura or sight-based calendars.
Why is there sometimes a ±1 day difference in Hijri dates?
The Islamic Hijri calendar is traditionally based on the sighting of the lunar crescent. Different regions or communities may sight the moon on slightly different days, leading to variations. Calculated calendars like Umm al-Qura aim for consistency but might differ from sight-based announcements. Our Hijri to Gregorian conversion is also an approximation, which can contribute to this.
Can I use this for official purposes or determining religious observance dates?
While this tool strives for accuracy based on the Umm al-Qura system for G-to-H, it's always best to consult local religious authorities or official announcements for critical dates related to religious observances (like the start of Ramadan or Eid), as these often rely on moon sightings.
Is my entered date information stored?
No, all date conversions are performed directly in your browser (client-side). The dates you enter are not sent to our servers or stored by us. Please refer to our Privacy Policy for more details.