How to use
- Check the current and next solar term at the top of the calculator.
- Enter a year from 1901 to 2099.
- Read the 24 terms grouped into spring, summer, autumn and winter.
Options explained
- Solar term
- Each term begins when the sun reaches another 15 degrees of apparent celestial longitude, dividing the tropical year into 24 parts.
- Transition time
- The listed time is when the term begins, shown in Beijing time (UTC+8), rather than a whole-day observance.
- Seasons
- The traditional sequence starts spring with Start of Spring, summer with Start of Summer, autumn with Start of Autumn and winter with Start of Winter.
The traditional sequence
| Season | Six solar terms |
|---|---|
| Spring | Start of Spring, Rain Water, Awakening of Insects, Spring Equinox, Pure Brightness, Grain Rain |
| Summer | Start of Summer, Grain Buds, Grain in Ear, Summer Solstice, Minor Heat, Major Heat |
| Autumn | Start of Autumn, End of Heat, White Dew, Autumn Equinox, Cold Dew, Frost’s Descent |
| Winter | Start of Winter, Minor Snow, Major Snow, Winter Solstice, Minor Cold, Major Cold |
Frequently asked questions
Why does a solar term fall on a slightly different date in some years?
A tropical year is not a whole number of days, and leap years shift calendar dates. The astronomical transition usually moves by a few hours each year.
Are the 24 solar terms based on the lunar calendar?
No. They follow the sun's apparent position, so their Gregorian dates stay within a narrow range even though they are used alongside the Chinese lunisolar calendar.
Why is the time shown in Beijing time?
The terms are central to the traditional Chinese calendar, and Beijing time gives one consistent reference. In another time zone the local date can occasionally differ.
Privacy
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