Countdown

Next Leap Day Countdown

A live countdown to the next February 29th, calculated from the real rule — not just "every 4 years," which is only an approximation.

Why "every 4 years" is only an approximation

The actual Gregorian rule: a year is a leap year if divisible by 4, unless it's also divisible by 100 — in which case it's not a leap year, unless it's also divisible by 400, in which case it is after all. The year 2000 was a leap year (divisible by 400); 1900 and 2100 are not (divisible by 100 but not 400). This three-tier rule exists because a real solar year is about 365.2422 days, not exactly 365.25, and the extra correction keeps the calendar from drifting off by a full day every few centuries. Check any specific year with the Leap Years List or the year-by-year leap checker pages.

People born on February 29th

Someone born on a leap day technically only has a "real" birthday once every four years (or longer, around century boundaries) — most either celebrate on February 28th or March 1st in non-leap years, a choice with no official rule attached, purely personal preference.

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