Chinese Zodiac Calculator — Animal Sign by Birth Year

Based on a 12-year repeating cycle: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig. The cycle year assignment follows the Chinese lunar calendar, where the new year typically falls between late January and mid-February — someone born in early January or late January/February should verify against the exact lunar new year date for that specific year, as this calculator uses a simplified fixed-date approximation.

Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water cycle through in addition to the 12 animals, creating a 60-year full cycle before an exact animal+element combination repeats (e.g., "Metal Ox" or "Water Dragon"). The element is determined by the last digit of the birth year.

The Chinese lunar new year date shifts each year (unlike the fixed January 1st Western new year). If you were born in January or early February, you may actually belong to the PREVIOUS year's animal sign if your birth date falls before that year's specific lunar new year date. For exact accuracy near this boundary, verify against a lunar calendar for your specific birth year.