Find Your Chinese Zodiac Animal
This tool is designed for entertainment and personal reflection, based on traditional Chinese astrology.
Enter your date of birth below and we'll calculate your Chinese zodiac animal and element — correctly accounting for the exact Lunar New Year date, not just the calendar year.
What's your Chinese zodiac sign?
Enter your date of birth. The Chinese zodiac follows the lunar calendar, so we check the exact Lunar New Year date for your birth year.
Why the Lunar Calendar Matters
Unlike the Gregorian calendar most of the world uses, the Chinese zodiac follows the lunisolar calendar. Chinese New Year falls on a different date every year — usually between January 21 and February 20. If you were born in January or early February, you may actually belong to the zodiac animal of the previous year, even though your Gregorian birth year suggests otherwise.
A real example
Someone born on February 5, 1997 might assume they're a Fire Ox, since 1997 is generally an Ox year. But Chinese New Year 1997 didn't begin until February 7 — so this person is actually a Fire Rat, the previous year's sign.
60-year cycle
Each of the 12 animals is also paired with one of five elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water), creating a complete 60-year cycle before any exact combination repeats.
Why this tool helps
Rather than relying on approximate year ranges, this calculator checks the verified Chinese New Year date for your specific birth year before determining your sign.
Browse All 12 Animals
Explore the full personality, compatibility, and career profile for every sign.
Rat
Ox
Tiger
Rabbit
Dragon
Snake
Horse
Goat
Monkey
Rooster
Dog
Pig
Frequently Asked Questions
How is my Chinese zodiac sign determined?
Your sign is based on the Chinese lunar year you were born in, not your Gregorian birth year. Each lunar year is assigned one of 12 animals in a repeating cycle, and the lunar year begins on Chinese New Year — a date that shifts every year, typically falling between January 21 and February 20.
Why doesn't my sign match what I expected?
If you were born in January or early February, you may have assumed your sign based on your birth year alone. But if your birth date falls before that year's Chinese New Year, you actually belong to the previous year's animal sign.
What if I don't know my exact birth date?
You'll need at least the month and day, along with the year, to get an accurate result — the exact date matters most for people born close to the Lunar New Year cutoff.
What is the Chinese zodiac element?
In addition to an animal, each birth year is paired with one of five elements — Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, or Water — which cycle every two years. Together, the animal and element combination repeats only once every 60 years.
Is the Chinese zodiac the same as Western astrology?
No. Western astrology is based on the position of the sun at your birth date within a solar calendar, while the Chinese zodiac is based on the lunar year you were born in. They're separate traditions, though some people enjoy exploring both.
Does this tool store my birth date?
No. The calculation happens entirely in your browser and nothing is saved or sent anywhere.