How many months are in the Ethiopian calendar?

The Ethiopian calendar has 13 months: Meskerem, Tikimit, Hidar, Tahsas, Tir, Yekatit, Megabit, Miazia, Ginbot, Sene, Hamle, Nehase, and Pagume. The first 12 months have 30 days each, and Pagume has 5 or 6 days.

What year is it in the Ethiopian calendar?

The Ethiopian calendar is currently 7-8 years behind the Gregorian calendar. The Ethiopian New Year (Enkutatash) falls on September 11 (or September 12 in leap years).

How do I convert Ethiopian dates to Gregorian dates?

You can use our free date converter tool to convert between Ethiopian and Gregorian calendars. Simply select the date you want to convert, and the tool will show you the equivalent date in the other calendar system.

Today in Ethiopia: Ginbot 28, 2018

The Unique 13-Month Ethiopian Calendar

Q: What is the Ethiopian calendar?

The Ethiopian calendar is a solar calendar that has 13 months. It has 12 months of 30 days each and a 13th month called Pagume with 5 or 6 days depending on whether it's a leap year. The Ethiopian calendar is approximately 7-8 years behind the Gregorian calendar.

A precise solar timekeeping system. Seamlessly browse months, perform cross-calendar date conversions, and track religious & national holidays.

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Holiday Calendar Legend

Dates marked with key historical, religious, or cultural events are highlighted with colored indicator dots. Click on any date with an indicator to discover its cultural background.

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About the Ethiopian Calendar System

The Ethiopian calendar (Ge'ez: የኢትዮጵያ ዘመን አቆጣጠር) is the primary calendar system used in Ethiopia and Eritrea. It is a solar calendar derived from the ancient Alexandrian or Coptic calendar, which itself traces back to the Egyptian system. Boasting 13 months — 12 months of exactly 30 days each, and a 13th month called Pagume with 5 or 6 days depending on leap status — it offers a remarkably balanced cycle unchanged for millennia.

The system runs approximately 7 to 8 years behind the Gregorian calendar. This is because the Ethiopian Orthodox Church calculates the Annunciation (the incarnation of Jesus) using historical sources that place his birth 7 years later than the Gregorian standard. As a result, the Ethiopian New Year (Enkutatash) begins on September 11 (or September 12 in leap years).

Deeply woven into public life, the Ethiopian calendar governs national holidays, government agencies, religious ceremonies, and regional agriculture. EthioCal preserves this heritage, offering a highly responsive, modern gateway to navigate these rich historical dates with ease.

The 13 Months of Ethiopia

Twelve months of exactly 30 days, followed by Pagume — a short 13th month of 5 days (6 during leap years).

Meskerem

September – October

Ethiopian New Year (Enkutatash) begins. Rainy season ends, yellow flowers bloom across the highlands.

Tikimt

October – November

Harvest season begins. Meskel festival celebrates the Finding of the True Cross.

Hidar

November – December

Cool and dry season. The feast of St. Mary (Hidar Tsion) is celebrated in Axum.

Tahsas

December – January

Ethiopian Christmas (Genna) falls in this month, celebrated on the 29th.

Tir

January – February

Home of Timket (Epiphany), one of Ethiopia's most colorful outdoor religious celebrations.

Yekatit

February – March

Named after Saint Yared. Mild weather marks the start of the fasting season.

Megabit

March – April

Lent is fully underway. Spring season arrives across the horn of Africa.

Miazia

April – May

Victory of Adwa and patriots are commemorated. Long sunny days return.

Ginbot

May – June

Pre-rainy season. Honoring Ginbot Lideta and the Ascension of Christ.

Sene

June – July

Long rainy season begins in most regions. Named after Saint John.

Hamle

July – August

Peak of the rainy season. High rivers and vibrant green highlands.

Nehase

August – September

Final month before the New Year. The heavy rain begins to clear.

Pagume

September

The short 13th month bridging the old and new year with 5 days (6 in leap years).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the Ethiopian calendar?

The Ethiopian calendar is a solar calendar that features 13 months. It consists of 12 months of exactly 30 days each, and a 13th month named Pagume with 5 days (6 during leap years). The calendar is approximately 7–8 years behind the standard Gregorian calendar system.

Q. What year is it currently in the Ethiopian calendar?

The current year in the Ethiopian calendar is 2018 E.C. The calendar runs 7-8 years behind the Western calendar, with the New Year (Enkutatash) commencing on September 11 (or September 12 in leap years).

Q. Why is the Ethiopian calendar 7-8 years behind?

The difference arises from varying computations of the Annunciation. While the Gregorian calendar aligns with a standard 1 AD birthdate, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church computes Christ's birth to have occurred in 7 BC, resulting in the 7-8 year lag.

Q. How can I convert dates between the systems?

You can perform instantaneous, high-precision bidirectional conversions between Ethiopian and Gregorian dates using our free Date Converter tool.

Q. What is today's exact Ethiopian date?

Today is officially Ginbot 28, 2018. The calendar grid above updates dynamically at midnight to always reflect the precise date.