Convert Hijri to Gregorian Date: Complete Islamic Calendar Guide

Arriving in Saudi Arabia feels like starting a new chapter—full of excitement, discovery, and, sometimes, confusion. If you’re holding a visa, rental agreement, or government document showing “1445” or “1446” instead of “2024” or “2025,” you’re not alone. Figuring out how to convert a hijri to gregorian date is a vital everyday skill for anyone living in the Kingdom.

Although salaries and many official transactions now use the Gregorian calendar, the Islamic (Hijri) calendar is still woven into Saudi life. You’ll see Hijri dates everywhere—from your Iqama in Absher to notices about school holidays or the start of Ramadan. Knowing how to read both timelines will save you confusion, time, and sometimes, a lot of trouble. This guide breaks down how the calendars work, where they overlap, and the easiest ways to keep your plans on track.

What is the Hijri Calendar?

The Hijri calendar, often called the Islamic calendar, follows the phases of the moon. Here in Saudi Arabia, this calendar has deep roots and is more than just a way to mark religious dates—it shapes the rhythm of life, especially around holy months, government paperwork, and family milestones.

The calendar dates back to the year the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) migrated from Makkah to Madinah—an event known as the Hijra, in 622 CE. Unlike the Western system, which is built around the sun, the Hijri calendar shifts with the moon. That means the months and years slip gently across the seasons, never landing on the same dates.

The 12 Hijri Months

Getting used to the Hijri months helps make sense of all kinds of announcements and documents in Saudi Arabia. Here’s a simple list:

1. Muharram
2. Safar
3. Rabi’ al-Awwal
4. Rabi’ al-Thani
5. Jumada al-Awwal
6. Jumada al-Thani
7. Rajab
8. Sha’ban
9. Ramadan (month of fasting)
10. Shawwal
11. Dhu al-Qi’dah
12. Dhu al-Hijjah (month of Hajj)

Most expats quickly learn to recognize Ramadan, with its adjusted work hours, and Dhu al-Hijjah, when the Hajj pilgrimage brings the country together.

How Hijri and Gregorian Dates Differ

One of the trickiest parts for newcomers is understanding why Hijri dates “move” each year in relation to the Gregorian calendar. It’s all about how the calendars are built: the Hijri year only has 354 or 355 days, while the Gregorian year is a bit longer with 365 or 366 days.

This 10-to-11 day gap means that, every year, Hijri dates appear earlier on the Gregorian calendar. Ramadan, for example, might fall in spring one year and winter a few years later. If you’re looking for a direct, fixed hijri to gregorian conversion, you’ll soon find it’s not straightforward without a table or calculator.

Comparison Table

Living in Saudi makes juggling both calendars a necessary life skill. You might be paid on the 27th of a Gregorian month, but your tenancy contract could start on 1 Muharram. Understanding both systems will help you manage deadlines and avoid misunderstandings.

Hijri to Gregorian Conversion Table

Online converters make date conversion easy, but it’s helpful to know roughly which Gregorian year matches which Hijri year, especially for planning or checking documents at a glance.

Keep in mind, actual dates might vary slightly to account for local moon sightings.

How to use the table:
Check the Hijri year on your document. For example, a car registration valid until 1446 means you need to handle renewal before July 2025. This overview gives you room to plan, even before using an exact converter.

Online Conversion Tools (and Accuracy Tips)

When it comes to government documents, contracts, and visa deadlines, accuracy matters. Saudi systems rely on precise dates, and even a day’s error can mean a fine or an extra step at Jawazat.

Trusted Hijri to Gregorian Converter Tools

1. Umm al-Qura Calendar: This is the gold standard in Saudi Arabia. All official dates, from Iqama expiry to holiday announcements, use this calculation style.
2. Date Converter on Absher: Log into Absher, then go to the government platform—and you’ll often see both Hijri and Gregorian dates side by side. When in doubt, trust the date on Absher.
3. Smartphone Calendars: Many mobile phones now allow you to set a secondary Islamic calendar, so you can see both dates at a glance without any extra apps.

Accuracy Tips

• Be careful with the “one day” difference: Since the start of each Hijri month can depend on the physical sighting of the moon, dates can differ by a day across regions. For critical deadlines, always double-check—especially around Eid and Ramadan.
• Go with Saudi official sources: For anything legal or immigration-related, use the Umm al-Qura calendar and confirmations from Absher rather than third-party apps.

Why Hijri Dates Matter in Saudi Arabia

Even though government pay and many official transactions have moved to the Gregorian calendar, Hijri dates still have a major practical impact here.For a detailed overview of public holidays in Saudi Arabia, including how they align with the Hijri calendar, check out our comprehensive guide on Public Holidays in Saudi Arabia.

1. Government Services (Absher & Jawazat)

Your birthdate, Iqama expiry, and many forms in the Ministry of Interior systems use the Hijri format. Converting hijri to gregorian accurately ensures smooth paperwork and prevents mistakes.

2. Rental Contracts (Ejar)

While more landlords use Gregorian dates today, plenty—especially among traditional property owners—still write contracts starting from the 1st or 15th of a Hijri month.

3. Religious Holidays & Public Sector Breaks

Holidays like Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha follow the Islamic calendar. Schools, travel plans, and even business hours all shift around these shifting dates. Advance plans require vigilance, as public holiday dates are only set after official moon sightings.

4. Age of Majority & Retirement

Certain legal milestones—like retirement or age of majority—are counted in Hijri years. Since lunar years are shorter, these milestones can come around a bit earlier, which has caught some expats off guard, especially at the end of a work contract.

Common Mistakes in Hijri to Gregorian Conversion

It’s easy to trip up when juggling two calendars. Here are mistakes newcomers often make and how to avoid them:

• Assuming holiday dates are fixed for travel: Always wait for the official announcement before booking tickets for Eid or Ramadan breaks, or you may travel on the wrong day.
• Mixing date formats: Be sure which calendar is requested on forms. Entering 15/07/1446 instead of 15/07/2025 can confuse bank or visa officers—and in Saudi forms, months are often written out, not in numbers.
• Forgetting the Hijri new day starts at sunset: In the Islamic calendar, Thursday night prayers are technically counted as Friday. Keep this in mind for event invitations or religious gatherings.