How Many Days Are in December?

December 2026 has 31 days. It starts in 77 days, on Tuesday, December 1, 2026.

If you need more precision, or just enjoy watching numbers tick down in real-time, check out the live countdown to the start of December below!

76 Days

15 Hours

53 Minutes

48 Seconds

It's currently Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
Time is 08:06:11 in your local timezone (EDT).

Days in December Recap

December is the twelfth and final month of the Gregorian calendar and has 31 days. The name 'December' comes from the Latin word 'decem,' meaning 'ten,' as it was originally the tenth month in the ancient Roman calendar before January and February were added. Despite becoming the twelfth month, it retained its original name.

In the Northern Hemisphere, December is the start of winter, with cold temperatures, shorter days, and often snow, while in the Southern Hemisphere, it marks the beginning of summer, with warm, sunny days.

December is known for several significant holidays and observances:

Hanukkah - an eight-day Jewish festival, usually occurring in December, celebrating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.
Christmas (December 25) - a Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, widely celebrated with festive decorations, gatherings, and gift-giving.
Kwanzaa (December 26 - January 1) - an African American and pan-African holiday celebrating community, family, and culture.
New Year's Eve (December 31) - a global celebration marking the end of the year, often celebrated with parties, fireworks, and countdowns to midnight.

December's holiday season is a time of joy, reflection, and celebration for many cultures around the world, making it one of the most festive months of the year.

Days in December Recap

December is known for several significant holidays and observances:

Hanukkah - an eight-day Jewish festival, usually occurring in December, celebrating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.
Christmas (December 25) - a Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, widely celebrated with festive decorations, gatherings, and gift-giving.
Kwanzaa (December 26 - January 1) - an African American and pan-African holiday celebrating community, family, and culture.
New Year's Eve (December 31) - a global celebration marking the end of the year, often celebrated with parties, fireworks, and countdowns to midnight.

December's holiday season is a time of joy, reflection, and celebration for many cultures around the world, making it one of the most festive months of the year.

The Knuckle Method for
Remembering Days in Each Month

Want an easy way to remember how many days are in each month? Try the knuckle method!

Make a fist with either hand
Starting with your first knuckle as January, count the knuckles and valleys between them
Knuckles = 31 days
Valleys between knuckles = 30 days (except February)
When you reach the last knuckle (July), start over at the first knuckle (August)

Following the knuckles:

January (knuckle) = 31 days
February (valley) = 28/29 days
March (knuckle) = 31 days
April (valley) = 30 days
May (knuckle) = 31 days
June (valley) = 30 days
July (knuckle) = 31 days
August (back to first knuckle) = 31 days
September (valley) = 30 days
October (knuckle) = 31 days
November (valley) = 30 days
December (knuckle) = 31 days

Knuckle Method for Remembering Days in Each Month

This simple method has been used for generations to remember the number of days in each month. The only month you need to remember separately is February, which has 28 days (29 in leap years).