Date & Time Calculators
Chinese Zodiac Calculator
Find the Chinese zodiac animal, element and yin or yang for any birth year.
Free foreverRuns in your browserNo sign-up
About the Chinese Zodiac Calculator
The Chinese Zodiac Calculator finds the animal sign for any birth year in the twelve-year cycle, from Rat through Pig. It also shows the associated element and whether the year is yin or yang.
The twelve animals repeat every twelve years, while the five elements of Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth cycle over ten years. Together they form the sixty-year cycle used in Chinese astrology.
Because the Chinese New Year falls in late January or February, a birthday in those weeks may belong to the previous animal year. The tool notes this so you can check the exact new-year date when it matters.
Key features
- Animal sign for any year in the 12-year cycle
- Associated element from the 10-year cycle
- Yin or yang polarity of the year
- Note about the Chinese New Year boundary
How to use
- 1Enter the birth year.
- 2Read the animal sign with its element.
- 3Check the new-year note if the birthday is in January or February.
Examples
Born in 2000
Input:
2000Output:
Metal Dragon, Yang2000 lands on the Dragon in the animal cycle and Metal in the element cycle.
Frequently asked questions
- What animal is 2026?
- 2026 is the year of the Horse. The animals cycle every twelve years, so 2038 and 2014 are also Horse years.
- How is the element decided?
- The five elements cycle over ten years, two years each. The year's position in that ten-year run sets whether it is Metal, Water, Wood, Fire or Earth.
- Why does the birthday month matter?
- The Chinese New Year starts in late January or February, not on January 1. A birthday before the new year belongs to the previous animal year.