Nepali Age Calculator

What is the Bikram Sambat (BS) Calendar?

The Bikram Sambat calendar, also known as Vikram Samvat, is the official calendar system of Nepal and has been used for over 2,000 years. Unlike the Gregorian (AD) calendar used internationally, the BS calendar is approximately 56-57 years ahead, making 2026 AD equivalent to 2082/2083 BS.

The BS calendar year begins on Baisakh 1, which typically falls on April 13 or 14 in the Gregorian calendar. This unique calendar system is deeply embedded in Nepali culture, government documentation, and official records, making it essential for anyone living in or dealing with Nepal.

Understanding how age is calculated in Nepal is crucial for filling out official forms, educational applications, and citizenship documents.

How Nepali Age Calculation Works

Unlike Chinese or Korean age systems that add years at specific new year dates, Nepali age follows the same logic as international age you’re born at age 0 and gain a year on your birthday. However, the critical difference lies in the calendar system used for calculation.

When you calculate age using the Bikram Sambat calendar, your birth date and current date are both referenced in BS format. This means if you were born on Magh 15, 2050 BS, and today is Magh 20, 2082 BS, your age would be 32 years (the birthday has already passed this year).

Example Calculation:

• Birth Date (BS): 2050 Baisakh 10
• Current Date (BS): 2082 Magh 25
• Age: 2082 – 2050 = 32 years old (since Baisakh 10 hasn’t arrived yet in 2082, still 31)

For a complete step-by-step guide on how to calculate age from Nepali date of birth explore our detailed tutorial with examples.

BS to AD Conversion: Understanding the Complexity

One of the biggest challenges when working with Nepali dates is converting between BS and AD calendars. The conversion isn’t straightforward because:

1. Variable Month Lengths: Unlike the Gregorian calendar where months have fixed days (except February), BS months vary. Baisakh might have 30 or 31 days depending on the year, Jestha can have 31 or 32 days, and so on.
2. Year Offset Changes: The difference between BS and AD isn’t exactly 57 years—it fluctuates between 56 and 57 years depending on whether the Nepali New Year (Baisakh 1) has passed.
3. New Year Timing: Since BS New Year falls in mid-April (AD), dates from January to mid-April have a different year offset than dates from mid-April to December.

Conversion Formula (Approximate):

• AD to BS: BS Year ≈ AD Year + 57 (if after April 13-14) or + 56 (if before April 13-14)
• BS to AD: AD Year ≈ BS Year – 57 (if after Baisakh 1) or – 56 (if before Baisakh 1)

The calculator above handles these complexities automatically, providing accurate conversions for both calendar systems.

Nepali Age vs International Age

A common question is whether Nepali age differs from international age. The answer is: the age value itself is the same, but the calendar used for calculation differs.

Comparison:

If someone is 25 years old in international age, they’re also 25 years old in Nepali age—but the birth date and current date are expressed in different calendar systems.

For precise international age calculations with exact days and months, use our age calculator.

Understanding the 12 Months of Bikram Sambat

The BS calendar consists of 12 months, each with cultural and agricultural significance in Nepal:

1. Baisakh (बैशाख) – April/May – New Year month, marks spring harvest
2. Jestha (जेठ) – May/June – Hottest month in Nepal
3. Ashadh (असार) – June/July – Beginning of monsoon season
4. Shrawan (श्रावण) – July/August – Peak monsoon, sacred month
5. Bhadra (भाद्र) – August/September – Festival preparations begin
6. Ashwin (असोज) – September/October – Major festivals (Dashain)
7. Kartik (कार्तिक) – October/November – Tihar festival month
8. Mangsir (मंसिर) – November/December – Harvest season
9. Poush (पौष) – December/January – Winter begins
10. Magh (माघ) – January/February – Coldest month
11. Falgun (फाल्गुन) – February/March – Holi festival
12. Chaitra (चैत्र) – March/April – Last month before new year

Unlike the Gregorian calendar where January always has 31 days and February has 28/29, BS months have variable lengths that change year to year. This variability is based on astronomical calculations and lunar cycles.

When You Need BS Age Calculation

Understanding and calculating your age in the Bikram Sambat calendar becomes essential in several situations:

Educational Requirements:

• SEE (Secondary Education Examination) registration requires exact BS age
• +2 and bachelor’s admission forms need BS birth dates
• Scholarship applications demand BS age verification
• Educational certificates issued by Nepal show BS dates

Government Documentation:

• Citizenship applications must include BS birth date
• National ID cards display BS dates
• Voter registration requires BS age proof
• Government job applications need BS date of birth
• Passport applications for Nepali citizens

Legal and Official Use:

• Marriage registration in Nepal uses BS dates
• Property documents reference BS calendar
• Court documents and legal papers
• Birth and death certificates show BS dates

Cultural and Personal:

• Nepali astrology (Jyotish) uses BS dates for horoscopes
• Traditional ceremonies follow BS calendar
• Family records maintained in BS format
• Celebrating birthdays according to BS dates

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When calculating Nepali age or converting between calendars, people often make these errors:

Mistake 1: Assuming Fixed 57-Year Difference Many assume BS Year = AD Year + 57 always. This is incorrect. The offset changes depending on whether Baisakh 1 has passed. Someone born in January 2000 AD is in BS year 2056 (2000 + 56), not 2057.

Mistake 2: Using Direct Month Conversion January (month 1 in AD) is NOT the same as Baisakh (month 1 in BS). The months don’t align directly. January roughly corresponds to Poush/Magh (months 9/10 in BS).

Mistake 3: Ignoring Day-of-Month Variations Assuming all BS months have 30 days leads to incorrect date conversions. Some BS months have 29 days, others 32, and it varies by year.

Mistake 4: Wrong Calendar for Official Documents Using AD birth date on forms that require BS date (or vice versa) causes rejection. Always check which calendar format is required.

Why Nepal Uses Bikram Sambat

The Bikram Sambat calendar has deep historical and cultural roots in Nepal:

Historical Significance: Named after King Vikramaditya of ancient India, the calendar was officially adopted in Nepal and has been in continuous use for over two millennia. It represents Nepal’s unique cultural identity distinct from neighboring countries.

Cultural Continuity: The BS calendar aligns with traditional Hindu festivals, agricultural cycles, and astrological calculations. Most Nepali religious and cultural events are scheduled according to BS dates, not AD dates.

National Identity: Using BS calendar reinforces Nepal’s sovereignty and cultural independence. It’s a source of national pride and distinguishes Nepal from countries that exclusively use the Gregorian calendar.

Practical Challenges of Dual Calendar System

Living with two calendar systems creates both opportunities and challenges:

Advantages:

• Preserves cultural heritage and traditional knowledge
• Maintains connection to astronomical and lunar cycles
• Supports traditional festivals and ceremonies
• Strengthens national identity

Challenges:

• Confusion when dealing with international documents
• Need for constant conversion between BS and AD
• Difficulty in international business transactions
• Educational materials often mix both systems
• Digital systems primarily support AD calendar

Tips for Working with Both Calendars

If you’re regularly dealing with both BS and AD dates, these strategies help:

Keep Both Dates Handy: Always note your birth date in both BS and AD formats. For example: “Born on 2050 Magh 15 BS (January 28, 1994 AD)”. This prevents constant recalculation.

Use Reliable Conversion Tools: Bookmark accurate BS-AD converters and age calculators. Manual conversion is error-prone due to variable month lengths.

Verify Official Requirements: Before filling any form, confirm which calendar is required. Government of Nepal forms typically need BS, while international applications need AD.

Learn Common Conversions: Memorize that BS is roughly 56-57 years ahead of AD, and Baisakh 1 falls around April 13-14. This helps with quick mental checks.

Understanding Age in Legal Context

In Nepal, age requirements for legal purposes are always calculated using the Bikram Sambat calendar:

Citizenship:

• Minimum age 16 years (BS) for citizenship by descent
• Must provide exact BS birth date from birth certificate

Voting Rights:

• Must be 18 years old (BS) on the qualifying date
• Voter lists maintained in BS calendar

Marriage:

• Legal marriage age is 20 years (BS) with parental consent
• Age verification done through BS birth certificates

Employment:

• Government job applications use BS age
• Retirement age calculated in BS years
• Age limits for various positions referenced in BS