Mayan Calendar Converter
Quick Date Conversions
Select from these significant dates in history to see their Mayan calendar equivalents:
Mayan Calendar System Explained
The Long Count Calendar
The Mayan Long Count calendar is a hierarchical time-tracking system that uniquely identifies every day within a cycle of approximately 5,125 years. Starting from the mythical creation date of August 11, 3114 BCE (expressed as 0.0.0.0.0), the calendar counts days using five different time periods:
| Period Name | Duration in Days | Equivalent Years | Calculation |
|---|---|---|---|
| K’in | 1 | 1 day | Base unit |
| Uinal | 20 | ~20 days | 20 k’in |
| Tun | 360 | ~1 year | 18 uinal |
| K’atun | 7,200 | ~20 years | 20 tun |
| B’ak’tun | 144,000 | ~394 years | 20 k’atun |
The Tzolk’in Sacred Calendar
The Tzolk’in is a 260-day sacred calendar combining 13 numbers with 20 day names, creating unique combinations. This calendar remains culturally significant for many Maya communities today, influencing naming ceremonies and important life events.
| Day Number | Tzolk’in Name | Day Number | Tzolk’in Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Imix | 11 | Chuwen |
| 2 | Ik | 12 | Eb |
| 3 | Akbal | 13 | Ben |
| 4 | Kan | 14 | Ix |
| 5 | Chikchan | 15 | Men |
| 6 | Kimi | 16 | Kib |
| 7 | Manik | 17 | Kaban |
| 8 | Lamat | 18 | Etznab |
| 9 | Muluk | 19 | Kawak |
| 10 | Ok | 20 | Ajaw |
The Haab Civil Calendar
The Haab is a 365-day solar calendar consisting of 18 months with 20 days each, plus a short 5-day month called Wayeb’. The Wayeb’ period was considered unlucky by the ancient Maya.
| Month Number | Haab Month Name | Month Number | Haab Month Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pop | 10 | Yax |
| 2 | Wo | 11 | Sak |
| 3 | Sip | 12 | Keh |
| 4 | Sotz | 13 | Mak |
| 5 | Sek | 14 | Kankin |
| 6 | Xul | 15 | Muwan |
| 7 | Yaxkin | 16 | Pax |
| 8 | Mol | 17 | Kayab |
| 9 | Chen | 18 | Kumku |
| 19 | Wayeb’ (5 days) | ||
Lords of the Night
The Lords of the Night (G1-G9) represent nine underworld deities cycling in a repeating pattern. Each date in the Mayan calendar is associated with one of these nine lords, starting from G9 on the creation day.
Conversion Process Explained
Converting Gregorian to Mayan Long Count
The conversion follows these mathematical steps:
- Calculate Julian Day Number (JDN): Convert the Gregorian date to a Julian Day Number, which counts days from January 1, 4713 BCE.
- Find Days Since Creation: Subtract the JDN of the Mayan creation date (584,283) from the current JDN to get the total days elapsed.
- Calculate B’ak’tun: Divide the days elapsed by 144,000 (days in a b’ak’tun). The integer result is the b’ak’tun value.
- Calculate K’atun: Take the remainder and divide by 7,200 (days in a k’atun) to get the k’atun value.
- Calculate Tun: Take the remainder and divide by 360 (days in a tun) to get the tun value.
- Calculate Uinal: Take the remainder and divide by 20 (days in a uinal) to get the uinal value.
- Calculate K’in: The final remainder is the k’in value.
- Determine Tzolk’in: Using the days elapsed, calculate the position within the 260-day Tzolk’in cycle to find both the day number (1-13) and day name (1-20).
- Determine Haab: Using the days elapsed, calculate the position within the 365-day Haab cycle to find the month and day.
- Determine Lord of the Night: Calculate (days elapsed + 1) mod 9 to find which of the nine lords governs the date.
Example Calculation
Converting July 20, 1969 (Moon Landing)
Step 1: JDN for July 20, 1969 = 2,440,423
Step 2: Days elapsed = 2,440,423 – 584,283 = 1,856,140 days
Step 3: B’ak’tun = 1,856,140 ÷ 144,000 = 12 (remainder: 128,140)
Step 4: K’atun = 128,140 ÷ 7,200 = 17 (remainder: 5,740)
Step 5: Tun = 5,740 ÷ 360 = 15 (remainder: 340)
Step 6: Uinal = 340 ÷ 20 = 17 (remainder: 0)
Step 7: K’in = 0
Result: Long Count = 12.17.15.17.0
Tzolk’in: 13 Ajaw
Haab: 18 Sek
Lord of the Night: G2
Historical Dates in Mayan Calendar
Creation Day
Gregorian: August 11, 3114 BCE
Long Count: 0.0.0.0.0
Tzolk’in: 4 Ajaw
Haab: 8 Kumku
13th B’ak’tun Start
Gregorian: December 21, 2012
Long Count: 13.0.0.0.0
Tzolk’in: 4 Ajaw
Haab: 3 Kankin
Year 2000 Millennium
Gregorian: January 1, 2000
Long Count: 12.19.6.15.2
Tzolk’in: 10 Kawak
Haab: 2 Kankin
Columbus Americas Voyage
Gregorian: October 12, 1492
Long Count: 12.6.5.3.8
Tzolk’in: 11 Lamat
Haab: 6 Zip
Calendar Correlations
GMT Correlation Constant
The GMT (Goodman-Martinez-Thompson) correlation is the most widely accepted method for aligning the Mayan Long Count with the Gregorian calendar. It establishes that the Mayan creation date 0.0.0.0.0 corresponds to September 6, 3114 BCE in the proleptic Julian calendar, or August 11, 3114 BCE in the proleptic Gregorian calendar. The GMT correlation constant is 584,283, representing the Julian Day Number of the creation date.
Important Note: While the GMT correlation is standard for archaeological and historical work, other correlations exist. Different Maya communities may use slightly different correlations based on their oral traditions and ceremonial calendars.
Calendar Round
When combining the Tzolk’in (260 days) and Haab (365 days), a date repeats every 18,980 days, approximately 52 years. This period is called the Calendar Round. The same combination of Tzolk’in and Haab dates occurs only once in this cycle.
Practical Applications
Archaeological Dating
Archaeologists and historians use Mayan calendar conversions to date ancient monuments, inscriptions, and artifacts. Many Maya stelae (stone monuments) include Long Count dates that can be precisely converted to Gregorian dates, helping establish timelines for major events, royal lineages, and cultural developments.
Cultural Continuity
Contemporary Maya communities continue to use the traditional calendar system, particularly the Tzolk’in, for ceremonial purposes, agricultural planning, and personal rituals. Day keepers (Ajq’ijab’) maintain these traditions, consulting the sacred calendar for auspicious dates and spiritual guidance.
Academic Research
Scholars studying Mesoamerican civilizations rely on accurate calendar conversions to synchronize events across different cultures (Maya, Aztec, Zapotec) and correlate them with European historical records from the colonial period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the Mayan calendar predict the end of the world in 2012?
No, the Mayan calendar did not predict the end of the world in 2012. December 21, 2012, marked the completion of the 13th b’ak’tun (13.0.0.0.0), similar to how we celebrate New Year’s Eve. The calendar continued into the 14th b’ak’tun without any apocalyptic significance. This was a natural cyclical transition in the Long Count system.
How accurate is the Mayan calendar compared to our modern calendar?
The Mayan calendar is remarkably accurate. The Haab calendar of 365 days closely approximates the solar year, while Maya astronomers calculated the solar year length at 365.2420 days—extremely close to the modern value of 365.2422 days. This precision was achieved without telescopes or modern instruments.
Can I calculate my birthday in the Mayan calendar?
Yes! Simply enter your birth date in the converter above. You’ll receive your Long Count date, Tzolk’in day sign, Haab date, and Lord of the Night. Many Maya communities believe your Tzolk’in day sign influences your personality and destiny.
Why is the Tzolk’in calendar 260 days long?
The 260-day cycle likely relates to multiple factors: human gestation period (~266 days), agricultural cycles (corn cultivation), and religious symbolism (13 levels of heaven × 20 sacred days). The exact origin remains debated among scholars, but the calendar’s importance in Maya culture is undeniable.
What happens when the Long Count completes a full cycle?
A complete Long Count cycle of 13.0.0.0.0 (approximately 5,125 years) represents a major calendar milestone. After 13.0.0.0.0, the count continues to 14.0.0.0.0 and beyond. Some interpretations suggest a grand cycle of 13 b’ak’tuns, but inscriptions show Maya scribes recorded dates far into the future, indicating the calendar continues indefinitely.
Are there different Mayan calendar correlations?
Yes, several correlation constants exist besides the GMT correlation (584,283). Alternative correlations include the Spinden correlation (489,384) and the Thompson correlation (584,285). However, the GMT correlation has the strongest archaeological, astronomical, and ethnohistorical support and is used by most scholars.
How did the Maya calculate such complex dates without computers?
The Maya developed sophisticated mathematics, including positional notation and the concept of zero. They maintained detailed astronomical observations over centuries, enabling precise calculations of celestial cycles. Specialized priests and scribes trained extensively in calendar calculations and astronomical knowledge.
Can the converter work with dates before 3114 BCE?
While the Mayan creation date is 0.0.0.0.0 (August 11, 3114 BCE), the mathematical system theoretically extends backward using negative Long Count values. However, such dates have no cultural significance to the Maya, as they considered this the beginning of the current world age.
The Vigesimal Number System
The Mayan calendar reflects the Maya’s vigesimal (base-20) number system, contrasting with our decimal (base-10) system. This preference for 20 appears throughout their mathematics and astronomy, possibly derived from counting fingers and toes. The one exception in the Long Count is the tun, which contains 18 uinals (360 days) rather than 20, approximating the solar year.
References
Aveni, Anthony F. (2009). The End of Time: The Maya Mystery of 2012. University Press of Colorado.
Coe, Michael D., & Van Stone, Mark. (2005). Reading the Maya Glyphs. Thames & Hudson.
Edmonson, Munro S. (1988). The Book of the Year: Middle American Calendrical Systems. University of Utah Press.
Thompson, J. Eric S. (1950). Maya Hieroglyphic Writing: An Introduction. Carnegie Institution of Washington.
Tedlock, Barbara. (1992). Time and the Highland Maya. University of New Mexico Press.