How many days does Ramadan usually last in the Islamic lunar calendar?

Ramadan usually lasts 29 or 30 days in the Islamic lunar calendar. The month’s length depends on whether the new crescent marking Shawwal is sighted after the twenty-ninth day or after a thirtieth day is completed.

Because the Islamic calendar follows lunar months, Ramadan is about ten to twelve days shorter than a solar year. It therefore moves through the Gregorian calendar over a cycle of roughly 33 years. Muslims in different countries may begin and end Ramadan on different dates because communities use different sighting methods or calculations.

Ramadan is not a fixed 30-day period, despite that common assumption. The daily fast continues from dawn until sunset on each day of the month, and Eid al-Fitr begins when Ramadan ends and Shawwal starts. Local religious authorities announce the holiday date according to their accepted method.