What Is My Chinese Zodiac Element?
Your Chinese zodiac element is determined by your birth year. Enter your details below to instantly discover your element, zodiac animal, and what they reveal about your personality.
What to Explore After Finding Your Element
How the Calculator Works
Your element comes from the last digit of your birth year:
For example, 1996 ends in 6 = Fire. The animal for 1996 is Rat. So you're a Fire Rat. Born in January or February? Your sign might belong to the previous year since the Chinese zodiac follows the Lunar New Year calendar.
Find Your Element by Birth Year
Here are some of the most commonly searched birth years. Click any year to see your full element + animal profile:
Want to understand what your element means for your personality, strengths, and compatibility? Explore the Five Elements in depth →
Frequently Asked Questions
What Chinese zodiac element am I?
Look at the last digit of your birth year. 0 or 1 = Metal, 2 or 3 = Water, 4 or 5 = Wood, 6 or 7 = Fire, 8 or 9 = Earth. Use the calculator at the top of this page for an instant answer that also shows your zodiac animal.
Can two people born in the same year have different elements?
Only if one was born before Lunar New Year (late January or early February) and the other after. The Chinese zodiac follows the lunar calendar, so someone born on January 15, 1996 might actually be a Wood Pig (1995) rather than a Fire Rat (1996). Learn more about January/February birthdays →
What element is the year 2026?
2026 is a Fire year — specifically the Year of the Fire Horse. Fire years bring passion, momentum, and bold energy. Read more about the Fire element →
Do I have more than one element?
In basic Chinese zodiac, you have one element based on your birth year. But in the deeper Four Pillars (BaZi) system, you actually have elements for your year, month, day, and hour of birth, creating a much more detailed chart. Your Day Master element is considered the most important in BaZi analysis.
Does my element affect compatibility?
Yes. Elements follow generative and controlling cycles that influence how well two people get along. For example, Water nourishes Wood (a supportive pairing), while Water extinguishes Fire (a challenging one). Our Family Harmony Calculator factors element compatibility into its scoring.