Bahai Calendar Converter — Gregorian & Badí' Era
Convert any Gregorian date to the Bahai calendar — the calendar of the Bahai Faith, used by Bahai communities worldwide. The result shows the day, month name with its spiritual meaning (such as Bahá = Splendour, Núr = Light), the year in the Badí' Era (BE) and whether the date is Naw-Rúz (Bahai New Year). Furthermore, a reference grid shows all 19 months with their meanings and the Ayyam-i-Ha intercalary days.
How to use the Bahai Calendar Converter
The Bahai calendar structure
The Bahai calendar (Badí' calendar) has 19 months of 19 days each — 361 days total. Furthermore, Ayyam-i-Ha (4 or 5 intercalary days) plus the 19th month 'Alá' bring the year to 365 or 366 days. The total 19 × 19 + 4/5 structure reflects the special significance of the number 19 in the Bahai Faith.
| Period | Days | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Months 1–18 | 18 × 19 = 342 days | Each month named for a divine attribute |
| Ayyam-i-Ha | 4 days (5 in leap year) | Gift-giving and hospitality period |
| Month 19 ('Alá') | 19 days | Month of fasting — the Bahai 19-day fast |
| Total | 365 or 366 days | Aligns with solar year |
The Bahai week — 7 days with unique names
The Bahai calendar retains the 7-day week but with Bahai names. Furthermore, each day is named for a divine attribute: Jalál (Glory — Saturday), Jamál (Beauty — Sunday), Fidál (Grace — Monday), 'Idál (Justice — Tuesday), Istijlál (Majesty — Wednesday), Istiqlál (Independence — Thursday) and Jamál (Friday, the day of rest).
How the Bahai calendar is calculated
The Bahai year begins on Naw-Rúz — the vernal equinox, approximately 21 March. Furthermore, the Bahai Era (Badí' Era) began in 1844 CE — the year of the Declaration of the Báb, which marks Year 1 of the Bahai calendar.
Year 1 BE = 1844 CE (Declaration of the Báb, 23 May 1844)
Bahai month = floor(day-of-year / 19) + 1 (months 1–18)
Ayyam-i-Ha = days 343–346 (or 347 in Bahai leap years)
The new Bahai calendar (2015 update)
In 2015, the Universal House of Justice updated Naw-Rúz to use the astronomical equinox in Tehran. Furthermore, Naw-Rúz can now fall on 20 or 21 March depending on the year. This tool uses 21 March as a simplified fixed date — accurate for most years. Moreover, Bahai communities observe the astronomically correct date announced annually by the Universal House of Justice.
Worked example: current Bahai year
On Naw-Rúz 2025 (21 March 2025), the Bahai world celebrated the beginning of Year 182 BE — the 182nd year of the Bahai Era.
| Gregorian date | Bahai date | Month meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 21 March 2025 | 1 Bahá 182 BE — Naw-Rúz | Bahá = Splendour |
| 1 May 2025 | 12 Jamál 182 BE | Jamál = Beauty |
| 4 March 2026 | 1 Ayyam-i-Ha 182 BE | Days of gift-giving |
| 20 March 2026 | 19 'Alá' 182 BE | Loftiness — last day of fast |
What is the Bahai calendar?
The Bahai calendar — officially called the Badí' calendar — is the religious calendar of the Bahai Faith. Furthermore, it was created by the Báb (the prophet-herald of the Bahai Faith) and adopted by the Bahai community worldwide. The word Badí' means "wonderful" or "unique" in Arabic — reflecting the calendar's fresh approach to timekeeping.
The calendar year has 19 months of 19 days each — reflecting the Bahai significance of 19 and "Wáhid" (unity). Furthermore, each month carries a name derived from a divine attribute. Moreover, these month names serve as personal names and Bahai day-of-week names.
Naw-Rúz — the Bahai New Year
Naw-Rúz (meaning "New Day" in Persian) falls on the vernal equinox — approximately 21 March. Furthermore, Naw-Rúz predates the Bahai Faith by millennia — it is also the Persian New Year (Nowruz), celebrated across Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asia. The Bahai Faith adopted this ancient spring celebration as its New Year, connecting the faith's Persian origins with its universal spiritual message.
The Bahai Faith and its global community
The Bahai Faith has approximately 5 to 8 million adherents in virtually every country. Furthermore, the faith teaches the unity of all religions and the equality of humanity. Moreover, observant Bahais abstain from work on Bahai Holy Days.
Why the Bahai calendar matters
Employers and institutions with Bahai employees or students benefit from understanding Bahai Holy Days. Furthermore, major Bahai observances — including Naw-Rúz, Ridván (the 12-day celebration of Bahá'u'lláh's declaration), the Birth of the Báb and the Birth of Bahá'u'lláh — are days when observant Bahais may request leave from work or school. Moreover, these dates shift each year as the Bahai calendar aligns with the solar year.
The Bahai faith has significant presence in Iran, India, North America and Europe. Furthermore, Bahai organisations — including the Bahai International Community at the United Nations — are active in international affairs. Moreover, understanding the Bahai calendar is relevant for anyone working with Bahai communities, NGOs or international organisations where Bahai members are active participants.
Ayyam-i-Ha and the 19-day feast
Ayyam-i-Ha — before the 19th month — is a period of hospitality, charitable giving and gift exchange. Furthermore, the 19-Day Feast on the first of each month is the core Bahai community gathering. Moreover, the 19th month 'Alá' is the month of fasting — 19 days of sunrise-to-sunset abstinence for healthy adults over 15.
Frequently asked questions
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→Gregorian to Hijri Converter
Convert to the Islamic lunar Hijri calendar. Furthermore, the Bahai Faith has Iranian-Islamic roots dating from 1844 CE.
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Find the moon phase for any date. Furthermore, some Bahai Holy Days follow lunar calculation.
→Days Until Calculator
Count days until Naw-Rúz or any other event. Additionally, a multi-event dashboard tracks ten countdowns at once.
→Calendar Generator
Generate a monthly calendar with event markers. Furthermore, mark Naw-Rúz and other Bahai Holy Days directly.
→Religious Calendar Hub
Compare key dates across Islamic, Hebrew, Hindu and Bahai calendars. Furthermore, view observances across traditions by month.
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