Chinese Zodiac Calculator
Enter your birth year to see your Chinese zodiac sign and element year. Based on the 12-animal Chinese calendar and the five-element system.
The Chinese calendar follows the Moon; its new year falls on a different day between January and February each year. If you were born in January or February, the exact result depends on that year's Chinese New Year date. This tool uses only the birth year and gives an approximate result.
What Is the Chinese Zodiac System (Sheng Xiao)?
Sheng Xiao (生肖) is one of the oldest astrology systems in Chinese culture, with a history of about 2,000 years. It runs on a 12-year cycle, and each year is represented by an animal. The animal of your birth year is your sign, and it is associated with certain personality traits, strengths and life tendencies.
The 12-animal cycle combines with the five elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) to form a larger 60-year cycle. So two people born in different years of the same animal can have different elements.
The 12-Animal Chinese Calendar and Their Characteristics
🐭 Rat
1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
Intelligent, adaptable, energetic and opportunistic
🐂 Ox
1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
Hardworking, reliable, patient and determined
🐯 Tiger
1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
Brave, charismatic, competitive and a natural leader
🐰 Rabbit
1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
Gentle, artistic, cautious and lucky
🐉 Dragon
1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
Powerful, charismatic, ambitious and self-confident
🐍 Snake
1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
Intuitive, wise, mysterious and charming
🐴 Horse
1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
Free-spirited, energetic, independent and dynamic
🐑 Goat
1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
Creative, gentle, empathetic and artistic
🐒 Monkey
1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
Clever, witty, curious and versatile
🐓 Rooster
1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
Meticulous, honest, observant and hardworking
🐕 Dog
1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030
Loyal, protective, honest and selfless
🐷 Pig
1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031
Generous, honest, patient and optimistic
What Are the Five Elements (Wu Xing) in Chinese Astrology?
Wu Xing (五行), the five-element system, is one of the core ideas of Chinese philosophy. Each year is paired with an element as well as an animal. In Chinese astrology, this pairing adds detail to the traits the animal gives.
Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water Elements
Years ending in 4 and 5
Creative, growth-oriented, flexible and idealistic
Years ending in 6 and 7
Passionate, determined, dynamic and a natural leader
Years ending in 8 and 9
Reliable, patient, practical and stability-seeking
Years ending in 0 and 1
Disciplined, resolute, strong and ambitious
Years ending in 2 and 3
Intuitive, flexible, diplomatic and adaptable
How Is the Chinese Zodiac Sign Calculated from Birth Year?
Subtract 4 from the birth year and divide by 12. The remainder is a number from 0 to 11, and each remainder matches an animal (0 Rat, 1 Ox, … 11 Pig). Example: (1990 − 4) ÷ 12 = 165, remainder 6 → Horse.
If you were born in January or February, the result needs to be adjusted to that year's Chinese New Year date. This tool uses only the birth year, so it does not make that adjustment; if your birthday falls before the Chinese New Year, use the previous year's animal.