What Is the Afghan Date Converter?
The Afghan Date Converter is a free, high-precision online tool designed to convert dates between the three calendars used in Afghanistan and the international community: Shamsi (Solar Hijri / Afghan calendar), Miladi (Gregorian), and Hijri (Islamic Lunar). Unlike legacy converters that only calculate one way, this tool features live bidirectional synchronization — as soon as you modify any day, month, or year, all three calendars recalculate in real time without reloading the page or requiring any login.
Quick Answer
Key Conversion Rules
How to Convert Afghan Shamsi to Gregorian Date
The Afghan Shamsi calendar (Solar Hijri) runs 621 to 622 years behind the Gregorian (Miladi) calendar. The Afghan new year begins on Nawroz (1 Hamal), which falls on the Spring Equinox around March 20–21.
Before Nawroz (Jan 1 – Mar 20)
Gregorian = Shamsi + 621
Example: 15 Jadi 1404 = Jan 5, 2026
After Nawroz (Mar 21 – Dec 31)
Gregorian = Shamsi + 622
Example: 1 Hamal 1405 = Mar 21, 2026
Current Year (2026)
1405 Shamsi · 1448 AH
Nawroz 1405 began March 21, 2026
How to Convert an Afghan Date to Gregorian (Step-by-Step)
Converting an Afghan birth date from a Tazkira (تذکره) or official document into Gregorian for a visa, passport, or immigration form is fast and foolproof:
1
Locate Document Date
Check your paper Tazkira (تذکره کاغذی), electronic e-Tazkira, or Nikah Nama for the Afghan Shamsi Year, Month, and Day.
2
Select Afghan Month
In the Shamsi block above, choose the Afghan month (such as Hamal, Sawr, Sunbula, or Jadi) from the dropdown list.
3
Enter Year and Day
Enter your Shamsi year (e.g. 1374) and day of the month (1 to 31). The tool updates the Gregorian and Hijri dates instantly.
4
Copy Converted Date
Click the Copy button next to the Miladi result to paste the verified Gregorian date directly into your visa application.
The Three Afghan Calendars Explained
1. Shamsi Calendar — The Official Civil Calendar of Afghanistan
The Shamsi calendar (officially Solar Hijri / تقویم هجری شمسی) is the official civil calendar of Afghanistan. It is an astronomical solar calendar, meaning one year equals the exact time Earth takes to complete one orbit around the Sun (~365.2422 days). As a result, its months are strictly synchronized with the natural solar seasons. The year begins on Nawroz (1 Hamal), which corresponds to the astronomical Vernal Equinox around March 20–21. The Shamsi calendar counts years from the Prophet Muhammad's migration (Hijra) in 622 CE. Shamsi year 1405 runs from March 21, 2026 to March 20, 2027.
2. Miladi Calendar — International Gregorian Standard
The Miladi calendar (from Arabic meaning "birth" of Jesus, referring to the Gregorian calendar) is the international standard used worldwide for global business, civil aviation, banking, travel, and international governance. In Afghanistan, while daily civil life uses Shamsi, the Miladi calendar is required on passports, machine-readable visas, international contracts, and airline tickets.
3. Hijri Calendar — Islamic Lunar Religious Calendar
The Hijri calendar (تقویم هجری قمری) is the Islamic lunar calendar used across Afghanistan and the Muslim world to establish Islamic religious events: the holy month of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and the Hajj pilgrimage. Because 12 lunar months total approximately 354 days — about 11 days shorter than a solar year — Islamic dates shift backward through the solar seasons by approximately 11 days each year, completing a full 33-year cycle through the Gregorian calendar.
Common Conversion Examples
| Shamsi شمسی | Miladi میلادی | Hijri هجری | Significance & Event |
|---|
| 1 Hamal 1405 | 21 March 2026 | 2 Shawwal 1447 | Nawroz 1405 (Afghan New Year) |
| 1 Hamal 1404 | 21 March 2025 | 21 Ramadan 1446 | Nawroz 1404 |
| 1 Hamal 1403 | 20 March 2024 | 10 Ramadan 1445 | Nawroz 1403 (Leap Year) |
| 28 Asad 1405 | 19 August 2026 | 6 Rabi al-Awwal 1448 | Afghan Independence Day (Jashn-e-Istiqlal) |
| 1 Jadi 1404 | 22 December 2025 | 1 Rajab 1447 | Winter Solstice (Shab-e-Yalda) |
| 1 Hamal 1400 | 21 March 2021 | 8 Sha'ban 1442 | Nawroz 1400 Century Milestone |
Afghan Calendar Months: Complete Dari, Pashto & English Reference
Afghanistan uses astronomical zodiac names for its months in Dari and Pashto, differing from Iranian Persian month names. Below is the complete 12-month alignment:
| # |
Afghan (Dari) |
Afghan (Pashto) |
Iranian Equivalent |
English & Zodiac |
Days |
Approx. Gregorian Span |
| 1 | Hamal (حمل) | Wray (وری) | Farvardin (فروردین) | Hamal / Aries | 31 days | 21 Mar – 20 Apr |
| 2 | Sawr (ثور) | Ghoway (غویی) | Ordibehesht (اردیبهشت) | Sawr / Taurus | 31 days | 21 Apr – 21 May |
| 3 | Jawza (جوزا) | Ghabargolay (غبرګولی) | Khordad (خرداد) | Jawza / Gemini | 31 days | 22 May – 21 Jun |
| 4 | Saratan (سرطان) | Changash (چنګاښ) | Tir (تیر) | Saratan / Cancer | 31 days | 22 Jun – 22 Jul |
| 5 | Asad (اسد) | Zmaray (زمری) | Mordad (مرداد) | Asad / Leo | 31 days | 23 Jul – 22 Aug |
| 6 | Sunbula (سنبله) | Wajay (وږی) | Shahrivar (شهریور) | Sunbula / Virgo | 31 days | 23 Aug – 22 Sep |
| 7 | Mizan (میزان) | Tla (تله) | Mehr (مهر) | Mizan / Libra | 30 days | 23 Sep – 22 Oct |
| 8 | Aqrab (عقرب) | Laram (لړم) | Aban (آبان) | Aqrab / Scorpio | 30 days | 23 Oct – 21 Nov |
| 9 | Qaws (قوس) | Leenday (لیندۍ) | Azar (آذر) | Qaws / Sagittarius | 30 days | 22 Nov – 21 Dec |
| 10 | Jadi (جدی) | Margumay (مرغومی) | Dey (دی) | Jadi / Capricorn | 30 days | 22 Dec – 20 Jan |
| 11 | Dalwa (دلو) | Salwāgha (سلواغه) | Bahman (بهمن) | Dalwa / Aquarius | 30 days | 21 Jan – 19 Feb |
| 12 | Hoot (حوت) | Kab (کب) | Esfand (اسفند) | Hoot / Pisces | 29 or 30 days | 20 Feb – 20 Mar |
Tazkira Birth Year Quick Conversion Lookup Chart
If your Afghan National ID (Tazkira / تذکره) lists your birth year in Shamsi, use this verified lookup chart to find your Gregorian birth year span and current age:
| Shamsi Birth Year (سال تولد) |
Gregorian Birth Year Span (میلادی) |
Approximate Age in 2026 |
Notes & Leap Year Status |
| 1350 Shamsi | 1971 – 1972 | 54 – 55 years old | Common year (365 days) |
| 1355 Shamsi | 1976 – 1977 | 49 – 50 years old | Common year (365 days) |
| 1360 Shamsi | 1981 – 1982 | 44 – 45 years old | Common year (365 days) |
| 1365 Shamsi | 1986 – 1987 | 39 – 40 years old | Common year (365 days) |
| 1370 Shamsi | 1991 – 1992 | 34 – 35 years old | Common year (365 days) |
| 1374 Shamsi | 1995 – 1996 | 30 – 31 years old | Common year (365 days) |
| 1375 Shamsi | 1996 – 1997 | 29 – 30 years old | Shamsi Leap Year (366 days) |
| 1380 Shamsi | 2001 – 2002 | 24 – 25 years old | Common year (365 days) |
| 1385 Shamsi | 2006 – 2007 | 19 – 20 years old | Common year (365 days) |
| 1390 Shamsi | 2011 – 2012 | 14 – 15 years old | Common year (365 days) |
| 1395 Shamsi | 2016 – 2017 | 9 – 10 years old | Shamsi Leap Year (366 days) |
| 1400 Shamsi | 2021 – 2022 | 4 – 5 years old | Common year (365 days) |
| 1403 Shamsi | 2024 – 2025 | 1 – 2 years old | Shamsi Leap Year (Hoot had 30 days) |
| 1404 Shamsi | 2025 – 2026 | 0 – 1 year old | Common year (ended March 20, 2026) |
| 1405 Shamsi | 2026 – 2027 | Current Year (نوزاد) | Began March 21, 2026 on Nawroz |
Converting Afghan Tazkira & Passport Dates for Visas
When applying for international visas (such as the US DS-160 / SIV / Humanitarian Parole, Canadian IRCC sponsorship, UK Home Office asylum or work visa, or German Schengen visa), document date discrepancies are among the leading causes of administrative processing delays. Here are crucial tips to ensure compliance:
Paper Tazkira vs Electronic Tazkira (e-Tazkira)
Older paper Tazkiras (تذکره کاغذی) only record the birth year or exact birth date in the Afghan Shamsi calendar. Newer Electronic Tazkiras (تذکره الکترونیکی) often include a machine-printed Gregorian date. Always verify that the Gregorian date printed on your e-Tazkira matches your Afghan passport exactly. If using a paper Tazkira, use this converter to determine the exact Gregorian equivalent before filling out Embassy forms.
What If My Tazkira Only Shows an Age or Year?
Many Afghan paper Tazkiras record an estimated age at the time of registration rather than an exact day. In Afghan administrative practice, individuals without a recorded birth day and month are traditionally assigned 1 Hamal (March 21) or January 1 on international travel documents. Verify what date appears in the machine-readable zone (MRZ) of your passport and maintain strict consistency across all submissions.
Astronomical Accuracy: How the Algorithm Works
Unlike simple calculator tools that rely on crude approximations like "+621 years" (which introduces 1-to-2-day errors due to varying month lengths and leap years), this tool employs the astronomical Julian Day Number (JDN) algorithm developed by astronomer Jean Meeus:
- Solar Hijri (Shamsi) Precision: Converts year, month, and day into a continuous count of days since the Julian epoch using the verified 2,820-year astronomical cycle, accounting for the 33-year solar sub-cycles with 8 leap years.
- Gregorian (Miladi) Meeus Standard: Converts bidirectional JDN to Gregorian calendar dates, accurately handling leap years, century leap rules (400-year cycle), and exact day-of-the-week determination.
- Tabular Islamic Lunar (Hijri) Calculation: Computes the Islamic date using the standard 30-year astronomical cycle (11 leap years of 355 days and 19 common years of 354 days), providing an astronomical reference accurate within 1 day of physical moon-sighting.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Shamsi new year (1 Hamal) falls around March 20–21 each Gregorian year. So from January 1 to ~March 20, 2026 it is Shamsi year 1404. From ~March 21, 2026 to ~March 20, 2027 it is Shamsi year 1405.
Enter your Shamsi birth year, month, and day in the Shamsi section above. The Miladi (Gregorian) date updates instantly in the Miladi section. This is the date to write on international forms, visa applications, and passports.
Nawroz (also Nowruz / نوروز) is the Afghan New Year, celebrated on 1 Hamal — the Spring Equinox. In 2026 (Shamsi 1405) Nawroz fell on Saturday, March 21, 2026 (and in 2025 on Friday, March 21, 2025). It is a national public holiday in Afghanistan marked by outdoor celebrations, Buzkashi games, and traditional foods.
Both calendars count from 622 CE (the Hijra), but the Shamsi uses solar years (~365.25 days) while the Hijri uses lunar years (~354 days). The ~11-day difference per year means the Hijri year number is currently about 43 years ahead of the Shamsi year number (e.g., Shamsi 1405 ≈ Hijri 1448).
The Shamsi ↔ Gregorian conversion uses the established astronomical algorithm (via Julian Day Numbers) and is accurate to the day for any date in the supported range (Shamsi 1300–1500). The Hijri conversion uses the standard tabular algorithm and is accurate to within one day — in practice, Hijri month starts vary by one day depending on moon sighting, so verify with your local authority for religious purposes.
Shamsi year 1405 runs from approximately March 21, 2026 to March 20, 2027 in the Gregorian calendar. Add 621 years before Nawroz and 622 after to estimate, or use the converter above for the exact day.
Shamsi year 1404 ran from approximately March 21, 2025 to March 20, 2026. Shamsi year 1403 ran from March 20, 2024 to March 20, 2025 and was a Shamsi leap year with 30 days in Hoot.
From January 1 to about March 19, 2024 it is Shamsi 1402. From Nawroz (about March 20, 2024) onward it is Shamsi 1403.
From January 1 to about March 20, 2026 it is Shamsi 1404. From Nawroz (about March 21, 2026) onward it is Shamsi 1405.
Shamsi 1400 runs from approximately March 21, 2021 to March 20, 2022.
Shamsi 1380 runs from approximately March 21, 2001 to March 20, 2002. To convert an exact birth date, enter the full Shamsi date in the converter above.
Shamsi 1370 runs from approximately March 21, 1991 to March 20, 1992.
Shamsi 1360 runs from approximately March 21, 1981 to March 20, 1982.
A common Shamsi year has 365 days and a leap year has 366 days. The first six months (Hamal–Sunbula) have 31 days, the next five (Mizan–Dalwa) have 30 days, and the last month (Hoot) has 29 days, or 30 in a leap year.
A Hijri (Islamic lunar) year has 354 days, or 355 in a leap year. This is about 11 days shorter than a solar year, which is why Islamic dates move earlier in the Gregorian calendar each year.
In 2026 the Hijri year was 1447 until mid-June, then 1448 began around June 16, 2026. The "Hijri اليوم" box at the top of this page always shows today's exact live Hijri date.
Hijri year 1448 began around June 16, 2026 and ends around June 5, 2027 in the Gregorian calendar (Hijri 1447 ran from June 26, 2025 to June 15, 2026).
Ramadan 1447 began around February 18, 2026. Ramadan 1448 will begin around February 8, 2027. The exact start depends on the local moon sighting, so it may vary by one day between countries.
Ramadan 1446 began around March 1, 2025 and ended around March 30, 2025.
Eid al-Fitr 1447 (1 Shawwal) fell around March 20–21, 2026, coinciding with Nawroz 1405.
Eid al-Adha 1447 (10 Dhu al-Hijjah) fell around May 27, 2026, subject to moon sighting and the Hajj schedule.
The first month is Hamal (حمل), which begins on Nawroz (1 Hamal), the spring equinox around March 20–21.
The last month is Hoot (حوت), the twelfth month, which has 29 days in a common year and 30 days in a leap year.
The Shamsi calendar has 12 months: Hamal, Sawr, Jawza, Saratan, Asad, Sunbula, Mizan, Aqrab, Qaws, Jadi, Dalwa, and Hoot. The names come from the zodiac signs.
Spring: Hamal, Sawr, Jawza. Summer: Saratan, Asad, Sunbula. Autumn: Mizan, Aqrab, Qaws. Winter: Jadi, Dalwa, Hoot. Because Shamsi is a solar calendar, the months always stay aligned with the seasons.
Yes — both Afghanistan and Iran use the same Solar Hijri calendar with identical year numbers and day counts. Only the month names differ: Afghanistan uses the zodiac names (Hamal, Sawr…) while Iran uses Persian names (Farvardin, Ordibehesht…).
They refer to the same months. For example, Afghan Hamal = Iranian Farvardin, Afghan Sawr = Iranian Ordibehesht, and so on. The day counts and dates are identical.
Each serves a purpose: the Shamsi calendar is the official civil calendar for daily life and government; the Miladi (Gregorian) calendar is used for international business and travel; and the Hijri calendar sets Islamic religious dates.
The Shamsi (Solar Hijri) calendar is the official civil calendar of Afghanistan, used for government records, schools, newspapers, and public life.
Type the year, month, and day into the Miladi section of the converter above. The Shamsi date appears instantly in the Shamsi section, with no button to press.
Enter the date in the Hijri section. Both the Shamsi and Miladi sections update at once so you can read all three calendars together.
Enter your Shamsi birth date in the converter to get the Gregorian equivalent, then subtract it from today's date. As a quick estimate, your Gregorian birth year is your Shamsi birth year plus 621 (or 622 if born after Nawroz).
Today's Shamsi date is shown in the Shamsi امروز box at the top of this page, and is pre-filled in the converter when you load the page.
Today's Hijri date is displayed in the Hijri اليوم box at the top of the page. Remember that Hijri dates can vary by one day depending on local moon sighting.
Yes, Shamsi 1403 is a leap year, so the month of Hoot has 30 days instead of 29. The converter shows a "Shamsi Leap Year" badge whenever a leap year is selected.
No, Shamsi 1404 is a common (non-leap) year of 365 days, so Hoot has 29 days.
A Shamsi leap year occurs roughly every four years — eight times in each 33-year cycle. The exact pattern is set astronomically by the spring equinox, which makes the Solar Hijri calendar one of the most accurate in the world.
Hoot, the last Shamsi month, has 29 days in a common year and 30 days in a leap year.
"Solar Hijri" means a solar calendar that counts its years from the Hijra (the Prophet Muhammad's migration in 622 CE). It tracks the Sun, so the Shamsi year stays in step with the seasons — unlike the lunar Hijri calendar.
"AH" stands for Anno Hegirae — Latin for "in the year of the Hijra." It marks years counted from 622 CE, when the Islamic calendar begins.
"Miladi" (میلادی) comes from the Arabic word for "birth" and refers to the Gregorian calendar, which counts years from the traditional birth of Jesus. It is the international standard calendar.
The Hijri calendar follows the Moon (about 354 days for 12 lunar months), while the Gregorian calendar follows the Sun (about 365 days). The 11-day gap is why Islamic months like Ramadan move earlier each Gregorian year.
Yes. The converter supports a wide range — roughly Shamsi years 1300 to 1500, which covers Gregorian dates well into the past and future. Enter any date within that range for an accurate result.
It supports Shamsi years 1300–1500, Gregorian years 1900–2075, and the matching Hijri range. This covers virtually all birth dates, historical events, and future planning needs.
The Shamsi ↔ Gregorian conversion is accurate to the day and is reliable for visas, passports, and forms. For Hijri religious dates, confirm with your local authority since month starts can shift by a day based on moon sighting.
1 Hamal (the Shamsi New Year, Nawroz) falls on the spring equinox, around March 20 or 21 each Gregorian year.
March 21 usually corresponds to 1 Hamal, the first day of the Shamsi year and the Nawroz holiday. The exact Shamsi day can be 1 Hamal or the last day of Hoot depending on the year — check the converter for the specific year.
January 1, 2026 corresponds to 11 Jadi 1404 in the Shamsi calendar. Enter any date in the Miladi section above to see the matching Shamsi day live.
Enter your Shamsi birth date in the Shamsi section, then copy the Gregorian date shown in the Miladi section. That is the format to use on English-language forms, schools, and visa applications.
In Dari and Pashto the Gregorian calendar is usually called Miladi (میلادی) or sometimes Eesawi (عیسوی), both meaning the calendar dated from the birth of Jesus.
Afghan passports and international documents generally use the Gregorian (Miladi) date so they can be read worldwide, while domestic paperwork often uses the Shamsi date. Converting between the two is exactly what this tool is for.
Friday (Jumma) is the main day of rest and worship in Afghanistan, and many offices also close on Thursday. The week traditionally starts on Saturday (Shanbe).
Enter the Shamsi date in the converter — the day of the week (for example, Friday) is shown below the three calendars automatically.
Yes. Nawroz in Afghanistan and Nowruz in Iran are the same celebration of the solar new year on 1 Hamal / 1 Farvardin, the spring equinox. It is observed across Central and South Asia.
Each calendar starts counting from a different point and measures years differently. The Gregorian counts from the birth of Jesus, while the Shamsi and Hijri both count from 622 CE — but the Shamsi uses solar years and the Hijri uses shorter lunar years, so their numbers drift apart over time.
