Zodiac Sign Calculator
Select your birth month and enter your birth day. Your zodiac sign, element, ruling planet, and key traits are shown instantly.
Capricorn
Dec 22 – Jan 19
Ambitious, disciplined, patient, practical
What Is a Zodiac Sign?
Western astrology divides the year into 12 equal segments called zodiac signs, each associated with a range of birth dates, a classical element (Fire, Earth, Air, Water), and a ruling planet. The system originates from ancient Babylonian astronomy and was codified by Greek scholars around the 4th century BCE. Today the signs remain a popular lens for exploring personality, relationships, and life tendencies.
How Zodiac Signs Are Determined
Your sign is set entirely by your birth date — specifically the position of the Sun relative to the ecliptic on the day you were born. The zodiac year begins at the vernal equinox around 20–21 March (Aries). Each sign spans approximately 30°, or about 30 days.
| Sign | Symbol | Dates | Element | Ruling Planet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aries | ♈ | Mar 21 – Apr 19 | Fire | Mars |
| Taurus | ♉ | Apr 20 – May 20 | Earth | Venus |
| Gemini | ♊ | May 21 – Jun 20 | Air | Mercury |
| Cancer | ♋ | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Water | Moon |
| Leo | ♌ | Jul 23 – Aug 22 | Fire | Sun |
| Virgo | ♍ | Aug 23 – Sep 22 | Earth | Mercury |
| Libra | ♎ | Sep 23 – Oct 22 | Air | Venus |
| Scorpio | ♏ | Oct 23 – Nov 21 | Water | Pluto |
| Sagittarius | ♐ | Nov 22 – Dec 21 | Fire | Jupiter |
| Capricorn | ♑ | Dec 22 – Jan 19 | Earth | Saturn |
| Aquarius | ♒ | Jan 20 – Feb 18 | Air | Uranus |
| Pisces | ♓ | Feb 19 – Mar 20 | Water | Neptune |
The Four Elements
Each sign belongs to one of four classical elements, grouping signs with shared temperaments:
- Fire (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius): Energetic, enthusiastic, and action-oriented.
- Earth (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn): Practical, grounded, and reliable.
- Air (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius): Intellectual, social, and communicative.
- Water (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces): Intuitive, emotional, and empathetic.
What Are Cusp Dates?
The cusp is the boundary between two signs, typically spanning two to three days around the transition date (e.g., around April 19–20 for Aries–Taurus). The exact moment the Sun enters a new sign varies slightly by year because the calendar does not perfectly align with the Earth's orbit. If your birthday falls on a cusp, look up the precise Sun-entry time for your birth year to confirm your sign.
Personality Traits at a Glance
| Sign | Key Strengths | Known Challenges |
|---|---|---|
| ♈ Aries | Courageous, confident, enthusiastic | Impulsive, impatient |
| ♉ Taurus | Reliable, patient, devoted | Stubborn, possessive |
| ♊ Gemini | Adaptable, witty, curious | Inconsistent, indecisive |
| ♋ Cancer | Loyal, empathetic, intuitive | Moody, clingy |
| ♌ Leo | Creative, generous, warm-hearted | Arrogant, inflexible |
| ♍ Virgo | Analytical, hardworking, meticulous | Overcritical, anxious |
| ♎ Libra | Diplomatic, fair-minded, social | Indecisive, avoids conflict |
| ♏ Scorpio | Brave, resourceful, passionate | Secretive, jealous |
| ♐ Sagittarius | Optimistic, adventurous, honest | Impatient, tactless |
| ♑ Capricorn | Ambitious, disciplined, practical | Pessimistic, unforgiving |
| ♒ Aquarius | Innovative, independent, humanitarian | Aloof, inflexible |
| ♓ Pisces | Compassionate, artistic, intuitive | Escapist, overly trusting |
Sun Sign vs. Rising Sign vs. Moon Sign
Your Sun sign (what this calculator shows) is the most widely known placement, but a full natal chart includes two other major personal signs:
- Moon sign: Determined by the Moon's position at birth. Reflects emotional nature and inner world.
- Rising sign (Ascendant): The zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon at the exact birth time and location. Reflects outward personality and first impressions.
For a complete astrological profile, you need your exact birth time and location to calculate the Moon sign (which changes every ~2.5 days) and the Rising sign (which changes every ~2 hours).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find my zodiac sign?
Simply enter your birth month and day in the calculator above. Your Western zodiac sign is determined solely by the position of the Sun on your birthday.
What if I was born on a cusp?
Cusp dates (the 1–3 days when the Sun transitions between signs) vary slightly by year. If you were born near a transition date, check a precise ephemeris for your birth year to confirm which sign the Sun was in on your exact birthday.
What is the difference between Western and Chinese zodiac signs?
Western astrology assigns a sign based on birth date within a solar year. Chinese astrology uses a 12-year cycle with signs assigned by birth year (Rat, Ox, Tiger, etc.) and a lunisolar calendar.
Are Fire signs and Water signs compatible?
Traditional astrology often pairs opposite elements with creative tension: Fire (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) and Air signs tend to be compatible; Water (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) and Earth signs often pair well. However, full compatibility assessments look at complete natal charts, not just Sun signs.
Which zodiac sign is the rarest?
Ophiuchus is sometimes cited as a '13th sign' in sidereal astrology, but it is not used in Western (tropical) astrology. Among the standard 12 signs, Capricorn and Aquarius are statistically among the least common birth periods in the Northern Hemisphere due to fewer births in late December and January.