Lunar Age Calculator
Discover how old you are according to the traditional East Asian lunar age system and see the zodiac cycle you were born into.
Defaults to today—update to plan for future celebrations.
Birth date: Tuesday, May 1, 1990
Reference date: Saturday, January 10, 2026
International age
35
Western/Gregorian system
Traditional lunar age
37
Approximation using lunar New Year increment
Zodiac cycle
Metal Horse
Lunar age traditionally counts babies as one year old at birth and adds a year each Lunar New Year. This approximation uses the Gregorian year; specific lunar birthdays may vary.
How to Use This Calculator
Pick your birth date
Enter the Gregorian date you were born. The calculator maps it onto the zodiac cycle.
Adjust the reference date
Keep today’s date or choose a future day (such as Lunar New Year) to see your age then.
Compare age systems
See how your international age differs from lunar age and learn which zodiac animal/element applies.
Formula
International Age = Current Year − Birth Year − (Birthday passed? 0 : 1)
Lunar Age ≈ Current Year − Birth Year + 1
Zodiac Animal = (Birth Year − 4) mod 12
Element = floor((Birth Year − 4) ÷ 2) mod 5
Example: Born 1990-05-01, reference 2025-11-09 → International age 35 • Lunar age ≈36 • Zodiac: Metal Horse.
Cultural Context
In East Asia, age can be counted using the lunar calendar. Babies start at one, and everyone gains a year at Lunar New Year. While daily life often uses international age now, lunar age still appears in cultural rituals, fortune readings, and family traditions.
- Choose auspicious dates based on your zodiac animal and element.
- Understand how elders may describe age during traditional conversations.
- Align birth year animals for compatibility charts and zodiac readings.
- Plan celebrations around Lunar New Year age changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this tool use the exact lunar calendar?
It provides an approximation using Gregorian years. Precise lunar age requires the actual Lunar New Year date and lunar birthdays, which vary each year.
Why is lunar age older than international age?
Because you start at one (counting months in the womb) and gain another year at Lunar New Year, often making you one or two years older.
Can I convert lunar birthdays exactly?
Not here—use specialized lunar calendar converters to map specific lunar dates to Gregorian dates.
Is the zodiac element/year accurate?
Yes, the animal and element follow 12-year and 10-year cycles respectively, which align with the stem-branch (Gan-Zhi) system.