Chinese Zodiac Calculator
Find your Chinese zodiac animal.
Input
Result
What is a Chinese Zodiac Calculator?
A Chinese Zodiac Calculator determines your Chinese zodiac animal sign based on your birth year. The Chinese zodiac follows a 12-year cycle, with each year associated with a specific animal. The system is based on the lunar calendar, so the new year does not start on January 1st.
How to calculate your Chinese zodiac sign manually
Find your birth year and use the 12-year animal cycle. The cycle order is: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig. Divide your birth year by 12 and check the remainder: 0=Rat, 1=Ox, 2=Tiger, 3=Rabbit, 4=Dragon, 5=Snake, 6=Horse, 7=Goat, 8=Monkey, 9=Rooster, 10=Dog, 11=Pig.
Example calculation
For a person born in 1996: 1996 ÷ 12 = 166 remainder 4. Remainder 4 corresponds to the Rat. However, if born before Chinese New Year 1996 (February 19), the sign would be the previous year's animal (Pig, 1995).
Common mistakes
- Using January 1st as the cutoff — Chinese New Year falls between January 21 and February 20. Use the lunar new year date, not January 1st.
- Confusing Western and Chinese zodiac — These are independent systems with different animals, dates, and cultural meanings.
- Assuming the same animal every 12 years — The elemental influences (Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, Earth) modify each animal's characteristics every 60 years.
Frequently asked questions
How is my Chinese zodiac sign determined?
It is based on your birth year according to the Chinese lunar calendar.
What are the 12 Chinese zodiac animals?
Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
Does Chinese New Year affect my sign?
Yes, the zodiac changes at Chinese New Year, not January 1st.
Is my Chinese zodiac the same as my Western sign?
No, they use completely different systems.
Is this free?
Yes, completely free.
Does it work on mobile?
Yes, works on any device.