Ramadan 2026 Dates & Calendar: Moon Sighting & Eid in the USA

If you want a clear, trustworthy guide to Ramadan 2026 in the United States, you are in the right place. This guide is created to provide you with a full view of the whole month.

You will learn how Ramadan fits into 2026, what typically happens during the month, and how people across the United States generally observe it. As Ramadan follows the Islamic lunar calendar, all dates are determined by moon sightings. So, that is why it is important to get early information and plan carefully.

When Is Ramadan 2026 in the USA?

Many Muslims start getting ready for Ramadan weeks or even months before it begins. This is why it is very important to know the expected dates of Ramadan 2026 in the USA.

Expected Start Date of Ramadan 2026

Ramadan 2026 in the USA is expected to start on the evening of Tuesday, February 17, 2026. This evening marks the beginning of Ramadan nights, including the first Taraweeh prayer.

The first day of fasting is expected to be on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. On this day, fasting begins at dawn, which is the Fajr prayer time.

Expected End Date of Ramadan 2026

According to current moon calendar projections, Ramadan 2026 is expected to end on the evening of Wednesday, March 18, 2026.

This means that:

• Wednesday, March 18, 2026, will be the last day of fasting.
• Eid al-Fitr is expected to be on Thursday, March 19, 2026

Ramadan may last 29 or 30 days, depending on when the Shawwal moon is seen.

First Fast and Last Fast Explained

• The first fast is on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
• The last fast is expected to be on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.

Each day, fasting begins at sunrise and finishes at sundown. The exact times may vary slightly depending on where you live in the USA.

How Ramadan 2026 Dates Are Determined

Understanding how Ramadan dates are chosen helps answer one of the most common questions Muslims in the USA ask every year. Many people wonder why the dates are not known far in advance. The reason comes from how the Islamic calendar works and how Muslims look for the moon in different communities.

The Islamic Lunar Calendar Explained Simply

Firstly, Ramadan follows the Islamic or Hijri calendar. This calendar is based completely on the moon. Every month in this calendar starts when people see the new crescent moon. Because a lunar year is about ten to eleven days shorter than the regular calendar most people use, called the Gregorian calendar, Ramadan comes earlier each year.

This is why Ramadan 2026 is expected to be in February and March in the USA instead of being on the same dates every year.

Moon Sighting Compared to Astronomical Calculations

There are two main ways Muslims decide when Ramadan begins.

The first way is by physically seeing the moon. Many Muslims follow the old tradition of looking for the new crescent moon on the twenty-ninth night of the month of Sha'ban. If they see the moon, Ramadan starts the next day.

The second way is by using scientific calculations. Some Islamic groups use data from astronomy to predict when the moon will be visible. This helps them plan the start of Ramadan ahead of time.

Both ways are accepted and correct. The method a community follows depends on the local mosque or Islamic authority in that area.

Why Ramadan Dates Are Announced at the Last Minute

Seeing the moon depends on the weather, where you live, and how clear the sky is. Because of this, the exact start of Ramadan cannot be confirmed until the evening before it is expected to start. This is why the official dates for Ramadan are often announced just hours before the first fast.

How Ramadan Dates Are Shared in the USA

In the United States, the start of Ramadan is usually confirmed by several sources. These include local mosques and Islamic centers, national moon sighting committees, and major Islamic organizations and councils.

Most Muslims in the USA follow the announcements made by their local mosque. Local mosques consider moon sightings in their regions and try to follow what the community agrees on.

Ramadan 2026 Calendar (Full Month for the USA)

Having a clear Ramadan calendar helps you stay organized during the whole month. It is very helpful when you need to balance fasting, prayers, work, school, and family life. The Ramadan 2026 calendar for the USA outlines a clear plan for how the month is expected to unfold. This helps you plan your daily routines and your spiritual goals with confidence.

Ramadan 2026 Day-by-Day Calendar

Below is an expected full-month overview of Ramadan 2026 in the USA. It begins with the first day of fasting and continues until the conclusion of the month.

Printable and Mobile-Friendly Calendar Notes

This Ramadan 2026 calendar is perfect for both printing and using on your phone. It makes it easy to keep track of your daily fasts and prayer times. You can also use it to plan your work, school, and family activities. Moreover, it helps you organize community gatherings and events at the mosque. You can get ready for important moments like the last ten nights of Ramadan.

The hours for fasting will change a little each day as the daylight slowly gets longer from February to March. So, for the most accurate daily timings, Muslims in the USA should follow the prayer schedule for their own city or region.

Key Ramadan 2026 Milestones to Know

Ramadan is not only about the first day of fasting or the last day. During the month, there are many important moments that help Muslims organize their worship, spiritual goals, and daily routines.

The Last 10 Nights of Ramadan

The final ten nights of Ramadan are the most spiritually significant. In 2026, these nights are expected to start around Sunday, March 8, 2026, depending on when the moon is seen. During these nights, Muslims pray more, stay awake at night for worship, and give more charity.

Laylat al-Qadr: The Night of Power

Moreover, Laylat al-Qadr, commonly known as the Night of Power, occurs on one of the last ten odd-numbered nights of Ramadan. People do not know the exact night, but it is often celebrated on the 27th night. In 2026, this is expected to happen around the middle of March. Worship on this night is seen to be superior to worshiping for a thousand months.

Expected Eid al-Fitr 2026 Date in the USA

Lastly, Ramadan ends with Eid al-Fitr, a day for celebration and giving thanks. In the USA, Eid al-Fitr 2026 is expected to be on Thursday, March 19, 2026. This depends on seeing the Shawwal moon. The day starts with Eid prayers. After that, families get together, give charity, and celebrate with their communities.

Fasting During Ramadan 2026 in the USA

Fasting is one of the main acts of Ramadan, and it shapes how people live each day of the month. Knowing how fasting works, who needs to fast, and how fasting hours can vary depending on where you live makes Ramadan easier and more meaningful.

Daily Fasting Basics

Firstly, during Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating or drinking from sunrise till sundown. The fast starts at Fajr, which is the prayer before dawn, and ends at Maghrib, which is when the sun goes down.

When fasting during this time, Muslims:

• Do not eat or drink anything.
• Do not smoke or have marital relations during fasting hours.
• Try to be patient, show good character, and practice self-control.

Fasting is required for healthy adult Muslims. But Islam allows some people not to fast if it might hurt them. This includes:

• People who are sick or traveling
• Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Older people
• People with long-term health problems

If someone misses a fast, they usually make it up later in the year or give charity in its place, depending on the situation.

Fasting Hours in the USA

The number of hours people fast in the USA varies by state because sunrise and sunset times differ across states.

For Ramadan 2026, which is expected to happen between February and March, fasting hours will usually be:

• About 11 to 13 hours each day
• A little shorter at the start of Ramadan
• Gradually getting longer as the days get longer.

Muslims living in northern states may fast a little longer than those in southern states. Since fasting times vary each day, it is important to check local prayer schedules at mosques or trusted Islamic organizations.

Prayer, Worship, and Charity During Ramadan

Ramadan is more than just abstaining from food and beverages. It is also a time to feed your soul, make your faith stronger, and feel close to your community. Every day activities become chances to grow spiritually and be generous to others.

Five Daily Prayers During Ramadan

Firstly, the five daily prayers, called Salah, are very important during Ramadan. Muslims try to pray on time and with full attention. These prayers give structure to the day and allow for moments to pause daily work and reflect on Allah. Praying helps people focus on their faith and feel connected to God.

Taraweeh Prayers Explained

Besides the five daily prayers, there is a special nightly prayer called Taraweeh. It is prayed after the Isha prayer. Many Muslims try to pray all 8, 20, or even more rak'ahs either with a group or alone. Taraweeh is a time to read and listen to the Qur'an. Many try to finish reading the Qur'an by the end of Ramadan.

Qur'an Recitation Goals

Moreover, Ramadan is a very good time to read and think about the Qur'an. Many Muslims set a goal to finish reading the Qur'an at least once during the month. Even reading a few verses every day can help people become more aware of their faith.

Zakat and Charity Timing During Ramadan

Lastly, giving to others is very important in Ramadan because good deeds are rewarded more during this month. Zakat al-Fitr is a required charity that must be given before the Eid prayers so that people in need can also enjoy Eid. Giving extra charity, called Sadaqah, is highly encouraged during Ramadan.

Planning Ramadan 2026 in the USA

Getting ready for Ramadan in advance helps you focus more on praying and less on daily problems. So, with some organization, Ramadan can be both spiritually meaningful and easier to manage.

Work and School Planning

Firstly, many people worry about managing fasting with work and school during Ramadan. This is especially true in a busy country like the United States. Some helpful steps include:

• Making a new sleep schedule. This allows you to get enough rest after suhoor before work or school, as well as for nightly prayers.
• Doing the hardest or most important tasks earlier in the day when you have more energy.
• Talking to your employer or teacher ahead of time about fasting, if needed.

Because Ramadan 2026 is in late winter, the fasting hours will be shorter than in summer. This may make it easier to maintain attention and productivity.

Community and Mosque Planning

Lastly, Ramadan is also a time when people come together, and mosques are very important for this. In many places in the USA, mosques usually:

• Share updates about moon sightings and prayer schedules
• Arrange nightly Taraweeh prayers.
• Hold community iftars and organize charitable events.

So, keeping in touch with your local mosque is important. It makes sure you get the right information and can join community prayers and events. As Eid gets closer, mosques also start getting ready for Eid al-Fitr prayers. They share information about the place for prayers, the prayer times, and parking arrangements.

Quick Summary of Ramadan 2026 Dates (USA)

Here is an easy recap of Ramadan 2026 in the USA so you can plan your fasting, prayers, and community activities without any confusion. The expected start of Ramadan is the evening of Tuesday, February 17, 2026. The first day of fasting will be on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. The expected last day of fasting is Wednesday, March 18, 2026. The expected day for Eid al-Fitr is Thursday, March 19, 2026.

Please remember that all dates depend on the official moon sighting, and they may change slightly depending on where you live. So, be sure to verify with your local mosque or Islamic center to confirm the exact dates. Having these dates will help have a smooth and fulfilling Ramadan for everyone across the USA.

You can also plan your Umrah during Ramadan with us by following our personalized guidance.

FAQs

Can Ramadan 2026 start on different days in the USA?

Yes. Ramadan may begin on different days in the USA. This is because some communities follow local moon sightings, while others follow global sightings or astronomical calculations. So, this can result in a one-day difference between regions.

Why do Ramadan dates change every year?

Ramadan happens according to the Islamic lunar calendar. This calendar is approximately 10 to 11 days shorter than the standard Gregorian calendar. Because of this, Ramadan comes about 10 to 11 days earlier each year and slowly moves through the different seasons over time.

Is Ramadan 29 or 30 days in 2026?

Ramadan in 2026 is predicted to run 29 or 30 days, depending on when people see the Shawwal moon. The exact number of days will be confirmed near the end of the month.

When will Eid al-Fitr 2026 be celebrated in the USA?

Eid al-Fitr 2026 in the USA is expected to be celebrated on March 19, 2026. The exact date depends on the sighting of the Shawwal crescent moon. As a result, certain communities may observe it a day before or after.

How can I confirm the exact start date locally?

You can find out the exact day Ramadan begins in your area by looking at the announcements from your nearest mosque or Islamic center.