Expected dates for Ramadan 2027
| Expected date | |
|---|---|
| First night of taraweeh prayers | Sunday 7 February 2027 (evening) |
| First day of fasting | Monday 8 February 2027 (possibly 9 February) |
| Laylat al-Qadr (sought in the last 10 nights) | Around 27 February to 8 March 2027 |
| Last day of fasting | Monday 8 or Tuesday 9 March 2027 |
| Eid al-Fitr | Tuesday 9 or Wednesday 10 March 2027 |
These dates come from astronomical calculations reported in September and October 2026, including Saudi Arabia's Umm al-Qura calendar and projections published in the UAE. They mark Ramadan 1448 AH in the Islamic calendar.
The confirmed date is announced the evening before, after the moon-sighting committee in each country meets. Treat the dates above as a planning guide.
Why the date is not fixed
Islamic months begin with the sighting of the new crescent moon. A lunar month lasts 29 or 30 days, so the twelve months add up to about 354 days, roughly 11 days shorter than the 365-day calendar most of the world uses.
That is why Ramadan arrives about 11 days earlier each year:
| Year | Approximate start |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 18 or 19 February |
| 2027 | 8 February |
| 2028 | 28 January |
Over about 33 years, Ramadan cycles through every season.
How each country confirms the start
There are two broad approaches:
- Local sighting. A national committee looks for the crescent on the evening of the 29th day of Sha'ban. If it is seen, fasting starts the next day; if not, Sha'ban completes 30 days. Pakistan's Ruet-e-Hilal Committee works this way, and Pakistan often starts a day after Saudi Arabia.
- Calculation or following another country. Some countries and communities use astronomical calculations, and others follow Saudi Arabia's announcement.
This is why Ramadan, and Eid, can begin on different days in neighbouring countries, or even within one country's communities.
What fasting hours to expect in 2027
Because Ramadan 2027 falls in February and early March, fasting days are relatively short and cool in the Northern Hemisphere, and longer in the Southern Hemisphere, where it is late summer.
Fasting runs from dawn (the start of Fajr) to sunset (Maghrib). Rough lengths at the start of the month:
- Near the equator (Singapore, Jakarta, Nairobi): about 13 to 13½ hours all year.
- Middle latitudes (Karachi, Dubai, Cairo): about 12½ to 13 hours, rising slowly through the month.
- Northern Europe (London): about 11 hours at the start, rising to about 13 hours by the end, as the days lengthen quickly in late winter.
Exact times differ by city and by the calculation method your mosque uses, so use a local timetable.
Preparing for the month
- Ease into it. Cutting back on caffeine a week or two before helps avoid headaches in the first days.
- Plan suhoor well. A pre-dawn meal with protein, whole grains and fruit keeps you fuller than sugary foods. Our guide to how much protein you need is a useful reference.
- Drink steadily between iftar and suhoor, rather than all at once. See how much water you need.
- Check with a doctor first if you have diabetes, are pregnant, or take regular medication. Islam exempts people for whom fasting would cause harm, and doctors can advise on adjusting medication timings.
Eid al-Fitr and public holidays
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan on the first day of Shawwal. Most Muslim-majority countries give at least one to three days off, and many announce the exact holiday dates only after the moon is sighted. Singapore's 2027 public holiday list, which includes Hari Raya Puasa, is in our Singapore 2027 holidays guide.
Key takeaways
- Ramadan 2027 is expected to start on or around Monday 8 February.
- Eid al-Fitr is expected on 9 or 10 March 2027.
- The dates depend on moon sighting and can differ by a day between countries.
- Ramadan moves about 11 days earlier each year, so 2027's fasts are short in the north.
Dates are projections based on astronomical calculations. Follow the announcement of your local moon-sighting committee or mosque.