How long is Lent?

Lent is a season of reflection, prayer, and fasting observed by many Christian traditions in preparation for Easter. But Lent how long is it? And why does its start and end date change each year? Let’s break it down in simple terms.

Lent lasts for 40 days, not counting Sundays. It begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday. The number 40 is significant in the Bible, representing a time of testing and spiritual renewal—such as Jesus' 40 days of fasting in the wilderness.

Unlike fixed holidays like Christmas, the date of Lent shifts because it is based on the date of Easter, which is a movable feast. Easter Sunday is determined by the lunar calendar and falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the spring equinox (March 21). Since Easter changes, the start of Lent—counting backward 40 days (excluding Sundays) from Easter—also changes each year.

If you’re wondering Lent how long it lasts in specific years, here are the start and end dates for the upcoming Lenten seasons:

Sundays during Lent are considered “mini-Easters” and are not included in the count of 40 days. They are days of worship and celebration rather than fasting and penance, which is why they are set apart from the rest of Lent.

Lent is a time for deepening faith through prayer, fasting, and acts of service. Whether through giving up a habit, dedicating more time to prayer, or helping those in need, Lent is a meaningful season to grow closer to God.

Understanding how long Lent lasts and how its dates are set helps us appreciate its place in the Christian calendar. No matter when it falls each year, Lent remains a sacred time for reflection, renewal, and preparation for the joy of Easter.

Explore Cool Lenten Ideas for Sunday School →

How long is Lent?
Lent lasts 40 days, not counting Sundays. It begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday.

How many days is Lent, including Sundays?
From Ash Wednesday through Holy Saturday is 46 calendar days. Subtracting the six Sundays, which are not counted as fasting days, leaves the traditional 40 days of Lent.

Why is Lent 40 days?
The 40 days mirror the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness. The number 40 appears throughout Scripture as a period of testing, preparation, and spiritual renewal.

Why don't Sundays count toward the 40 days of Lent?
Each Sunday is considered a mini-Easter, a weekly celebration of the resurrection. Sundays remain days of worship and joy rather than fasting, so they are set apart from the 40-day count.

When does Lent start in 2027?
In 2027, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 10, and ends on Holy Saturday, March 27. Easter Sunday is March 28, 2027.

When does Lent start in 2028?
In 2028, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 1, and ends on Holy Saturday, April 15. Easter Sunday is April 16, 2028.

Why do the dates of Lent change every year?
Lent is tied to Easter, a movable feast. Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after March 21, so it shifts each year between March 22 and April 25. Lent moves with it.