Chinese Zodiac Calculator
The Chinese zodiac runs on a 12-year animal cycle woven with a 10-year element cycle — a full combination repeats only every 60 years.
Born in January or early February? The zodiac year starts at Lunar New Year, so the previous animal may apply to you.
Frequently asked questions
- How is my Chinese zodiac animal determined?
- By your birth year in the repeating 12-animal cycle, combined with one of five elements in a 10-year cycle, so the full combination repeats only every 60 years. The year begins at Lunar New Year, not January 1.
- What if I was born in January or February?
- The zodiac year starts at Lunar New Year, which falls between late January and mid February. If you were born before that date, the previous year’s animal applies to you.
- What are the five elements?
- Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Each animal year carries one element, adding a layer of nuance: a Fire Dragon differs from a Water Dragon in traditional readings.
- Is Chinese zodiac compatibility real?
- It follows traditional trine groupings: animals four years apart, like Rat, Dragon, and Monkey, are considered natural allies, while animals six years apart clash. Like Western compatibility, it describes tendencies rather than destiny.