Leap Year in Different Calendars

There are several calendars in use today which apply different rules to determine how often a leap year occurs. Some even add a leap month instead of a leap day.

Illustration image — The Chinese Calendar adds a leap month
The Chinese Calendar adds a leap month, instead of a leap day.
©bigstockphoto.com/Eyematrix

The Gregorian calendar, used by most western countries, adds one extra day, leap day on February 29, nearly every four years.

When Is the Next Leap Year?

However, some cultures use calendars that do not apply the same leap year rules as the Gregorian calendar.

The Iranian calendar, for instance, doesn't observe February 29 as a leap day. Other calendars, such the Chinese calendar, add a leap month instead of a leap day.

Leap Years in Different Calendars

Topics: Leap Year, Calendar

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Alternative Leap Years

What Is a Leap Year?

A leap year has 366 days, as opposed to a common year, which has 365. Nearly every four years is a Leap Year, and we add a leap day, an extra day on February 29. more