# Bikram Sambat Explained: How the Nepali Calendar Works

By Lariyo Editorial Team · 2026-10-20 · Nepali language and dates

> Why Nepal's year is 56 years ahead, why months have 29 to 32 days, and how to convert dates between BS and AD without mistakes.

Nepal's official calendar is Bikram Sambat (BS). Schools, offices, exam notices and fee due dates use it, while phones and most software use the Gregorian calendar (AD). Knowing how BS works saves a lot of confusion.

## Why BS is about 56 years ahead

The BS year count started about 56 years and 8 months before the AD count. So a date in 2026 AD falls in 2082 or 2083 BS, depending on the month. The BS year begins on 1 Baisakh, which falls on 13 or 14 April.

## The twelve months

Baisakh, Jestha, Asar, Shrawan, Bhadra, Asoj, Kartik, Mangsir, Poush, Magh, Falgun and Chaitra.

## Why months have 29 to 32 days

BS months follow the sun's movement through the twelve signs of the zodiac. The sun moves faster at some times of year than others, so months near the middle of the year (like Asar) can have 32 days, while winter months (like Poush and Magh) often have 29 or 30. The lengths also change from year to year.

## Why you cannot convert with a formula

Because month lengths change each year, there is no simple formula to convert dates. Every reliable converter uses a table of month lengths for each year. That is how our free [Nepali date converter](https://lariyo.com/tools/nepali-date-converter) works, from BS 1971 to 2100.

## Seeing a whole year

To plan a school year or a batch schedule, it helps to see every month at once with both dates. Our [Nepali calendar](https://lariyo.com/tools/nepali-calendar) shows each month of any BS year with the English date under every day.

## Tips for institutes

- Publish test and class schedules in BS for students in Nepal, and keep AD in brackets for anyone abroad.
- When a form says "age as on a date in BS", calculate in BS. The [age calculator](https://lariyo.com/tools/age-calculator) does both.
- Keep fee due dates on the same BS day each month so families remember them.

Lariyo's student apps can show dates in Bikram Sambat, so schedules and due dates read naturally to students in Nepal.

## Frequently asked questions

### How many years ahead is Bikram Sambat?

About 56 years and 8 months. Between mid-April and December, add 57 to the AD year; from January to mid-April, add 56.

### When does the Nepali new year start?

On 1 Baisakh, which falls on 13 or 14 April in the English calendar.

Tags: bikram-sambat, nepali-calendar, dates
Source: https://lariyo.com/blog/bikram-sambat-calendar-explained