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Leap Year Calculator.
Check whether a year is a leap year under the Gregorian calendar rule.
Set your values
Results update as you type.
FAQs
How does the leap year calculator work?
Check whether a year is a leap year under the Gregorian calendar rule.
Use Cases
Check a specific year
Use this calculator to quickly determine if a particular year is a leap year, whether it's a past year, current year, or future year.
Example: Enter 2024 to see it's a leap year.
Plan events or schedules
When planning events, birthdays, or anniversaries, knowing if a year is a leap year helps you account for February 29 and the extra day.
Example: Check if 2028 is a leap year for a February 29 birthday celebration.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Gregorian calendar rule for leap years?
- A year is a leap year if it is divisible by 4, except if it is divisible by 100 but not by 400. For example, 2000 was a leap year, but 1900 was not.
- Why do we have leap years?
- Leap years add an extra day (February 29) to keep our calendar aligned with Earth's orbit around the Sun. Without them, our calendar would drift by about 6 hours each year.
- Can I use this calculator for years before the Gregorian calendar was adopted?
- Yes, but note that the Gregorian calendar was introduced in 1582. For years before that, the Julian calendar rules were different. This calculator applies the Gregorian rule to any year you enter.
Tips & Common Mistakes
Tips
- Remember the rule: divisible by 4, but not by 100 unless also divisible by 400.
- Years like 2000 are leap years because they are divisible by 400, even though they end with 00.
- If you're unsure about a year, just enter it here for an instant answer.
- Use this tool for any year, including future years, to plan ahead.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming every year divisible by 4 is a leap year – but century years must be divisible by 400.
- Forgetting that years like 1900 are not leap years, even though they are divisible by 4.
- Confusing the Gregorian rule with the Julian rule, which had no century exception.
Last updated: August 13, 2026