Moon Phase Calculator

The Eight Moon Phases

1. 🌑 New Moon: Moon is between Earth and Sun (0% illuminated)
2. 🌒 Waxing Crescent: Small sliver visible, growing (1-49%)
3. 🌓 First Quarter: Half of moon visible (50%)
4. 🌔 Waxing Gibbous: More than half visible, still growing (51-99%)
5. 🌕 Full Moon: Entire face visible (100%)
6. 🌖 Waning Gibbous: More than half visible, shrinking (51-99%)
7. 🌗 Last Quarter: Half visible, opposite side from first quarter (50%)
8. 🌘 Waning Crescent: Small sliver visible, shrinking (1-49%)

Lunar Cycle

A complete lunar cycle (from new moon to new moon) takes approximately 29.53 days. This is called a synodic month or lunar month.

Waxing vs Waning

• Waxing: Moon is growing (from new moon to full moon)
• Waning: Moon is shrinking (from full moon to new moon)

Cultural Significance

Moon phases have been used throughout history for calendars, agriculture, and cultural events. Many calendars, including Islamic and Hebrew calendars, are based on lunar cycles.