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Ethiopian calendar converter.

Convert any date between the Ethiopian (Ge’ez) calendar and the Gregorian calendar instantly. It is currently 2019 E.C. — essential for reading Ethiopian birth, marriage and school records.

How the Ethiopian calendar works

The Ethiopian calendar (የኢትዮጵያ ዘመን አቆጣጠር) is the official calendar of Ethiopia and is widely used in Eritrea. It has 13 months: twelve months of exactly 30 days, followed by Pagume, a short month of 5 days (6 in a leap year). The year begins on Meskerem 1 — Enkutatash, the Ethiopian New Year — which falls on September 11 (or September 12 before a Gregorian leap year).

Because Ethiopian years are counted from a different epoch, the Ethiopian year is 7 years behind the Gregorian year from September to December, and 8 years behind from January to early September.

Why it matters for translations

Ethiopian birth certificates, marriage certificates, school transcripts and court records are dated in the Ethiopian calendar. A date such as “Tir 12, 1990 E.C.” means January 20, 1998 — not a date in 1990. Converting dates incorrectly can create mismatches with passports and lead to delays in immigration, school enrollment and legal proceedings.

Rehoboth’s certified translations render every date exactly as written and provide the Gregorian equivalent, with names transliterated to match official IDs.

The 13 Ethiopian months

#	Month	Amharic	Begins (approx.)
1	Meskerem	መስከረም	September 11
2	Tikimt	ጥቅምት	October 11
3	Hidar	ኅዳር	November 10
4	Tahsas	ታኅሣሥ	December 10
5	Tir	ጥር	January 9
6	Yekatit	የካቲት	February 8
7	Megabit	መጋቢት	March 10
8	Miyazya	ሚያዝያ	April 9
9	Ginbot	ግንቦት	May 9
10	Sene	ሰኔ	June 8
11	Hamle	ሐምሌ	July 8
12	Nehase	ነሐሴ	August 7
13	Pagume	ጳጉሜ	September 6

Frequently asked questions

What year is it in the Ethiopian calendar?

It is currently 2019 E.C. (Ethiopian Calendar). The Ethiopian year 2019 began on Meskerem 1, which was September 11, 2026 in the Gregorian calendar.

Why is the Ethiopian calendar 7–8 years behind?

The Ethiopian calendar counts years from a different calculation of the Annunciation than the Gregorian calendar. From Meskerem 1 (around September 11) to December 31 it is 7 years behind; from January 1 to the Ethiopian New Year it is 8 years behind.

How many months are in the Ethiopian calendar?

Thirteen. Twelve months have exactly 30 days, and the thirteenth month, Pagume, has 5 days — or 6 days in an Ethiopian leap year.

When is the Ethiopian New Year (Enkutatash)?

Meskerem 1, which falls on September 11 in the Gregorian calendar — or September 12 in the year before a Gregorian leap year.

Do USCIS translations need the Gregorian date?

USCIS requires a complete and accurate English translation. Translating the date exactly as written and noting the Gregorian equivalent helps reviewers and prevents mismatches with passports and other records. Our certified translations do both.

Is Ethiopian time different too?

Yes. Ethiopian clock time traditionally counts hours from sunrise (about 6:00 a.m.), so 1 o’clock in Ethiopian time is about 7:00 a.m. Our interpreters clarify appointment times to avoid confusion.

Need an Ethiopian document translated?

Certified Amharic, Afaan Oromo and Tigrinya translations with Ethiopian-calendar date conversion.