Leap years
2028
is the next leap year: 29 February 2028 is a Tuesday
2026 has 365 days. 2027 has 365, and 2028 has 366.
The leap year rules
- A year that divides exactly by 4 is a leap year (2024, 2028).
- But a year that divides by 100 is not (1900, 2100).
- Unless it also divides by 400, in which case it is (2000, 2400).
So there are 97 leap years in every 400 years. The extra day keeps the calendar in line with the tropical year of about 365.2422 days. Adding a day every four years would give 365.25, which is slightly too long; skipping three century years in four brings the average down to 365.2425. More on this on how many days are in a year.
The next leap days
| Year | 29 February is a |
|---|---|
| 2028 | Tuesday |
| 2032 | Sunday |
| 2036 | Friday |
| 2040 | Wednesday |
| 2044 | Monday |
| 2048 | Saturday |
Leap years from 1900 to 2100
1900 and 2100 are not leap years. 2000 was, because it divides by 400.
| Years | Leap years |
|---|---|
| 1904 to 1920 | 1904, 1908, 1912, 1916, 1920 |
| 1924 to 1940 | 1924, 1928, 1932, 1936, 1940 |
| 1944 to 1960 | 1944, 1948, 1952, 1956, 1960 |
| 1964 to 1980 | 1964, 1968, 1972, 1976, 1980 |
| 1984 to 2000 | 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000 |
| 2004 to 2020 | 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020 |
| 2024 to 2040 | 2024, 2028, 2032, 2036, 2040 |
| 2044 to 2060 | 2044, 2048, 2052, 2056, 2060 |
| 2064 to 2080 | 2064, 2068, 2072, 2076, 2080 |
| 2084 to 2096 | 2084, 2088, 2092, 2096 |
See the 2028 leap year laid out month by month in the 2028 calendar.
What changes in a leap year
- The year has 366 days, 8,784 hours and 52 weeks and 2 days.
- Every date from 1 March onwards has a day number one higher than usual.
- Dates after 29 February move two weekdays on from the year before, not one. Christmas Day is a Saturday in 2027 and a Monday in 2028.
- Two weekdays occur 53 times instead of one. In 2028 those are Saturday and Sunday, so there are only 260 weekdays.
Birthdays on 29 February
People born on 29 February get a real birthday only once every four years. In other years, most celebrate on 28 February or 1 March. When someone officially reaches an age, for example for a driving licence or a pension, depends on the rules of the country and the organisation, so check with the body concerned rather than assuming. The age calculator shows both conventions. To see which weekday any 29 February falls on, use the day of the week finder.
Frequently asked questions
Is 2026 a leap year?
No. 2026 has 365 days and February has 28 days. 2027 is not a leap year either.
Is 2028 a leap year?
Yes. 2028 is a leap year with 366 days. 29 February 2028 is a Tuesday.
Was 2000 a leap year?
Yes. Century years are only leap years if they divide by 400, and 2000 does. 1900 was not a leap year, and 2100 will not be.
How often is there a leap year?
Usually every four years, but three century years in every four are skipped. That gives 97 leap years in every 400 years.
When is the next leap day?
The next leap day is Tuesday 29 February 2028. The one after that is Sunday 29 February 2032.