Julian Date Converter
Convert a calendar date to a Julian date — the day-of-year code used on food packaging, in manufacturing and by the military — or decode one back to a date.
How to use the Julian Date Converter
- Choose date → Julian or Julian → date.
- Enter the date, or a 5- or 7-digit Julian date.
- Read the result.
How it works
In everyday use, a “Julian date” is the year followed by the day of the year: 26277 means the 277th day of 2026 (4 October). It is printed on canned goods, eggs and military documents. Astronomers use the Julian Day Number, a continuous day count starting 1 January 4713 BC, to make date arithmetic simple. Neither is the old Julian calendar used before 1582.
Day of year at the start of each month (non-leap year)
| Month | Day of year | Month | Day of year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | 001 | Jul 1 | 182 |
| Feb 1 | 032 | Aug 1 | 213 |
| Mar 1 | 060 | Sep 1 | 244 |
| Apr 1 | 091 | Oct 1 | 274 |
| May 1 | 121 | Nov 1 | 305 |
| Jun 1 | 152 | Dec 1 | 335 |
Frequently asked questions
How do I read a Julian date on food?
The last three digits are the day of the year; the digit(s) before them are the year — 26045 is 14 February 2026.
What day of the year is today?
Enter today’s date in the converter.
Is the Julian date the same as the Julian calendar?
No — the day-of-year format is unrelated to the old Julian calendar.
How many days are in a leap year?
366, so days after 28 February shift by one.