Ever stared at a calendar and wondered when we get that extra day again? If you’ve typed “when is the next leap year” into a search box, you’re in the right place. Leap years and February 29 have a neat logic behind them, and the next time the calendar gives us an extra day is February 29, 2028.
Why we have leap years and how to tell one
The Earth doesn’t orbit the Sun in exactly 365 days. It takes about 365.242 days, so the calendar would slowly drift without correction. That’s where leap years come in: they add one extra day to February to keep seasons and dates aligned.
The basic rule: a year is a leap year if it is divisible by 4.
Exception one: if a year is divisible by 100 it is not a leap year.
Exception two: if a year is divisible by 400 it is a leap year again.
So 2024 was a leap year, 2025 is not, and the next leap day will be February 29, 2028.
How often do leap years happen and why 2028
Leap years usually repeat every four years because the roughly 0.242 extra day accumulates to almost one whole day over four years. But century years like 1900 and 2100 break that pattern unless they’re divisible by 400. That correction prevents a slow long-term drift of the seasons.
2024 — leap year (last one).
2025–2027 — common years, no February 29.
2028 — the next leap year with February 29.
Sources that list and explain upcoming leap years show the same sequence and confirm 2028 as the next year with an extra day.
Interesting facts and history about leap years
The idea of adding days to the calendar goes back to the Roman calendar reform by Julius Caesar in 45 BCE, which established the Julian calendar and a simple every-four-year leap rule. That system drifted over centuries until the Gregorian reform in 1582 made the century-year exceptions we use today.
Leap days have inspired traditions. In Ireland and the UK, folklore allows women to propose marriage on February 29, a custom with medieval roots.
Some people born on February 29 call themselves “leaplings” or “leapers” and celebrate on February 28 or March 1 in non-leap years.
Adding the leap day keeps the calendar synced with the tropical year, the cycle tied to seasons and equinoxes, which is why the correction matters for agriculture and holidays tied to seasons.
Did You Know?
Did you know that without leap years the calendar would be off by about 24 days every 100 years, slowly shifting seasons and holiday dates? The Gregorian exceptions were designed to avoid that exact drift.
Common questions about leap years
Q: Does every year divisible by 4 become a leap year?
A: Almost, but not always. If the year is divisible by 100 it’s not a leap year unless it’s also divisible by 400.
Q: Is 2100 a leap year?
A: No. Because 2100 is divisible by 100 but not by 400, it will not be a leap year.
Q: Can leap years affect software or billing cycles?
A: Yes. Any system that assumes every year has 365 days can face small errors in scheduling, interest calculations, or date math. Developers often write date libraries to handle leap days explicitly.
When Is the Next Leap Year That I Need to Know About
If you’re planning events, birthdays, or travel calendars, mark February 29, 2028, as the next date with an extra day. That’s the next time the calendar shows 366 days in a year and gives us the familiar leap day.
Personal note
I always enjoy how a tiny technical fix—adding one single day—keeps the whole rhythm of seasons and holidays in harmony. Every leap year feels like a small reminder that our calendars are human-made tools tuned to nature. I’ve known one friend who schedules a “real” birthday party only on leap years and treats the day like an unofficial holiday.
Final thoughts
Leap years exist to align our calendar with Earth’s orbit, and the next leap day will be February 29, 2028. Will you use that extra day for something special, practical, or silly? Share your plans or leap day traditions in the comments.