Ethiopian Calendar 2018 E.C. (Habesha Calendar)
A modern Ethiopian calendar platform with holidays, fasting seasons, countdowns, date conversion, and cultural celebrations beautifully designed.
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About the Ethiopian Calendar (Habesha Calendar)
The Ethiopian calendar — also called the Habesha calendar, Ge'ez calendar, or Amharic calendar — is the official calendar of Ethiopia and Eritrea. It has 13 months: twelve months of 30 days each, plus a short 13th month called Pagumē (5 or 6 days). The Ethiopian year is currently 2018 E.C., approximately 7–8 years behind the Gregorian calendar.
Use this free converter to find today's Ethiopian date, convert any Gregorian date to Ethiopian, or look up Ethiopian holidays including Enkutatash (Ethiopian New Year), Fasika (Easter), Timkat, Meskel, and Genna. The Ethiopian Orthodox fasting calendar — including the Wednesday/Friday fast and Great Lent — is automatically shown.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Ethiopian Calendar
What year is it in the Ethiopian calendar right now?
It is currently the year 2018 E.C. (Ethiopian Calendar) which corresponds to Gregorian years 2025–2026. The year starts on September 11 (or September 12 in leap years) with the holiday of Enkutatash.
Why is the Ethiopian calendar 7 to 8 years behind the Gregorian calendar?
The offset exists because the Ethiopian Orthodox Church uses an alternate calculation for the Annunciation of Jesus, placing the birth of Christ 7-8 years later than Catholic and Gregorian calculations.
How many months does the Ethiopian calendar have?
The Ethiopian calendar consists of 13 months. The first 12 months have exactly 30 days. The 13th month, Pagumē, has 5 days in a standard year and 6 days in a leap year.
What is Pagumē in the Habesha calendar?
Pagumē (ጳጉሜ) is the 13th and shortest month of the Ethiopian calendar. The name comes from the Greek word "epagomene," which means "additional days." It serves to align the calendar with the solar year cycle.
How does the Ethiopian 12-hour clock system work?
Unlike the international system, the Ethiopian 12-hour clock system starts at dawn (6:00 AM Gregorian is 12:00 local time). Day and night are divided into two distinct 12-hour cycles starting at sunrise and sunset respectively.
What is Today's Ethiopian Date?
Today in the Ethiopian calendar is calculated by converting the current Gregorian date. The Ethiopian calendar (also called the Ge'ez or Habesha calendar) is approximately 7-8 years behind the Gregorian calendar. Use our converter above to find today's exact Ethiopian date instantly.
The Ethiopian calendar has 13 months: twelve 30-day months plus a 13th month called Pagumē with 5-6 days. The current year is 2018 E.C. (Ethiopian Calendar), which runs from September 11, 2025 to September 10, 2026 in the Gregorian calendar.
Ethiopian Calendar vs Gregorian Calendar
| Feature | Ethiopian Calendar | Gregorian Calendar |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Months | 13 months | 12 months |
| Days per Month | 30 days (months 1-12) 5-6 days (month 13) |
28-31 days (varies) |
| Total Days in Year | 365 days (366 in leap year) | 365 days (366 in leap year) |
| Current Year (2026) | 2018 E.C. | 2026 |
| Year Difference | 7-8 years behind Gregorian | |
| New Year Date | Meskerem 1 (September 11) | January 1 |
| Leap Year Rule | Every 4 years (no exceptions) | Every 4 years (except some century years) |
| Calendar Start | ~8 AD | 1 AD |
| Used In | Ethiopia, Eritrea | Worldwide |
| Based On | Coptic/Alexandrian calendar | Julian calendar (reformed) |
Ethiopian Calendar Facts & Statistics
- Total Months
- 13 months
- Days in Year
- 365 days (366 in leap year)
- Year Difference
- 7-8 years behind Gregorian
- Users Worldwide
- 100+ million people
- Countries Using
- Ethiopia, Eritrea
- Official Status
- National calendar of Ethiopia
- Calendar Origin
- Based on Coptic calendar (~8 AD)
- 13th Month Name
- Pagumē (ጳጉሜ)
- New Year Festival
- Enkutatash (እንቁጣጣሽ)
The 13 Months of the Ethiopian Calendar
The Ethiopian calendar consists of 13 months. The first 12 months have exactly 30 days each, and the 13th month (Pagumē) has 5 days in a regular year or 6 days in a leap year.
- Meskerem (መስከረም) - 30 days ≈ September 11 - October 10
- Tikimt (ጥቅምት) - 30 days ≈ October 11 - November 9
- Hidar (ኅዳር) - 30 days ≈ November 10 - December 9
- Tahsas (ታኅሣሥ) - 30 days ≈ December 10 - January 8
- Tir (ጥር) - 30 days ≈ January 9 - February 7
- Yekatit (የካቲት) - 30 days ≈ February 8 - March 9
- Megabit (መጋቢት) - 30 days ≈ March 10 - April 8
- Miyazya (ሚያዝያ) - 30 days ≈ April 9 - May 8
- Ginbot (ግንቦት) - 30 days ≈ May 9 - June 7
- Sene (ሰኔ) - 30 days ≈ June 8 - July 7
- Hamle (ሐምሌ) - 30 days ≈ July 8 - August 6
- Nehase (ነሐሴ) - 30 days ≈ August 7 - September 5
- Pagumē (ጳጉሜ) - 5 or 6 days ≈ September 6 - September 10/11 (The 13th month with 5 days in regular years, 6 in leap years)
Key Ethiopian Calendar Terms
- Ethiopian Calendar
- The principal calendar system used in Ethiopia and Eritrea, featuring 13 months and running approximately 7-8 years behind the Gregorian calendar. Also known as the Ge'ez calendar or Habesha calendar.
- Pagumē (ጳጉሜ)
- The 13th and shortest month of the Ethiopian calendar, containing 5 days in a regular year and 6 days in a leap year. The name derives from the Greek "epagomene" meaning "additional days."
- Enkutatash (እንቁጣጣሽ)
- Ethiopian New Year celebrated on Meskerem 1 (September 11 in the Gregorian calendar). The name means "gift of jewels" and marks the end of the rainy season.
- Bahre Hasab
- The Ethiopian Orthodox method of calculating the ecclesiastical calendar, determining dates for moveable feasts like Easter (Fasika). The term means "sea of thought" in Ge'ez.
- E.C. (Ethiopian Calendar)
- Abbreviation for Ethiopian Calendar, used to differentiate Ethiopian years from Gregorian years. For example, 2018 E.C. corresponds to Gregorian years 2025-2026.
- Ge'ez Calendar
- Another name for the Ethiopian calendar, named after the ancient Ge'ez language and script used in Ethiopian Orthodox liturgy. Synonymous with Ethiopian calendar and Habesha calendar.