You want to know the dates of your next period, ovulation or due date? You came to the right place. If you’re in a hurry you can go straight to our menstrual cycle calculator (click here) or Infographic with key information about calculating your period (click here).
Check the full table of content below.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Period & Ovulation Calculator
- How Do Menstrual Cycle Calculators Work?
- Using a Period Calculator
- How To Calculate Your Next Period & Ovulation Infographic
- Understanding the Menstrual Cycle Properly
- Understanding Your Next Menstrual Cycle and Fertilization.
- Some Important Information Regarding the Calculator
- Learn more
- Frequently Asked Questions
Introduction
If you want to stand the best chance of getting pregnant, then you need to know when you are ovulating. This is the time of the month when women are in their most fertile period. Ovulation usually happens around day 14 of the cycle [1]), while there is a greater chance of a sperm reaching the egg and fertilizing it.
However, one of the biggest problems and question that people have is knowing how to calculate their next ovulation date and when is the best time to aim for intercourse. This is where technology can come in handy. You can use an ovulation calculator, like the one below, to get a rough estimate of when you are going to ovulate next.
Ovulation & Period Calculator
Use this period calculator to calculate your next period (menstruation), fertile period, ovulation, and due date. To give you an estimate as to when those time frames are, please provide the requested information and press the Calculate button (results will be shown below, together with a fertility calendar):
When did your last period start?
How many days did it last?
How long is your cycle?
Below are the results based on the information you provided:
Your next menstrual period is expected to start on
Your next most fertile period is from to
If you conceive within this timeframe, your estimated due date will be
- Pre-Period
- Period Days
- Post-Period
- Peak Ovulation
Please note that this is only an estimation of your menstrual cycle
A period calculator is not the same as talking to a healthcare professional, so this is just to aid you in coming up with the most accurate calculation possible, on your own.
Also, keep in mind that these calculators will be useful to women with a fairly regular menstrual cycle. For women with irregular menstrual cycle tracking other ovulation symptoms or using an ovulation predictor kit might give more accurate results, all of which we’ll cover later one.
How Do Menstrual Cycle Calculators Work?
Menstrual Cycle Calculators vary in complexity. Some will ask you for information such as your average body temperature, as well as various other bits and pieces about what your body is currently going through.
While there are women who measure their basal body temperature, it’s not something that the everyday woman uses.
However, it is a rather accurate way (when done 100% correctly) to determine when a woman is ovulating.
Some feel that these types of cycle calculators are “overkill”, but for those who are using the basal body temperature to prevent and plan a pregnancy, they have this information handy.
If you aren’t into this type of strict monitoring, a simple calculator like the one provided here can give you really good results and help you plan.
Using a Period Calculator
The first thing that the period calculator will ask you is the date of your last period. With so many apps available now, this should be information that is readily available.
And just remember, when calculating your period, you use the first day of your last period. This was the beginning of your cycle.
If you don’t know the exact first day, calculate back from the last day however long it lasted, and start tracking now. Especially if you are trying to get pregnant.
Some will use a menstruation calculator to figure out when to expect their periods and when to expect PMS. PMS is due to the change in hormones that cause periods and pregnancy.
When you are pregnant or during your period, these emotional and physical symptoms subside [2]. Some women can then plan to change their diet a few days before they expect PMS and help to alleviate some of the symptoms.
The next piece of information that you will be asked for is the average length of time between your periods. This is the length of the menstrual cycle. Of course, the human body does vary wildly here, and whilst some months there could be 30 days between your period, others it could be as low as 25.
However, you are only after an average here. Being as accurate as possible is important as this will affect the results that you are given which can have a profound effect on when the calculator tells you is the ideal time to try for a child.
Finally, you will be given your results. Based on the information you provided, it will calculate when your next period is anticipated and also your fertile period which is when you stand the best chance to get pregnant.
How To Calculate Your Next Period & Ovulation Infographic
Understanding the Menstrual Cycle Properly
While you may already have a fair understanding of your own menstrual cycle, there are women who have cycle lengths that vary. Sometimes, your own cycle can be as short as 23 days on cycle and 28 or 30 days the next.
When a variation in menstrual cycle length occurs, it usually happens before you ovulate. This is referred to as the follicular phase which encompasses menstruation as well and ends when you ovulate [3]. A woman generally ovulates between days 12-16 of their cycle which is the start of the luteal phase [4].
There is a multitude of reasons as to why your period could be altered, be it stress or medications, even weight gain/loss or travel. Unless you think you are pregnant, it could be a myriad of reasons that have your period coming irregularly.
Understanding Your Next Menstrual Cycle and Fertilization
If you are trying to get pregnant you need to understand how the menstrual cycle works. The process starts when the thick lining of your womb starts to break up due to the decrease in estrogen and progesterone levels.
Without a sufficient amount of these hormones, your body will shed the lining and it will start to prepare for your next menstrual cycle.
However, if a sperm does make contact with and fertilizes the egg, it will close all pores to prevent more sperms from getting in there. The fertilized egg will stay in the fallopian tube for 3-4 days and then move to the uterus and attach to its wall, staying there for the long haul of pregnancy.
Your body will produce human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG) or pregnancy hormone right away (which can be seen within 6-8 days by a blood test and can take about 2 weeks if not longer to be seen in urine tests) [5].
The body will continue to produce the required estrogen and progesterone hormones so that the womb lining will not be shed and the placenta can grow mature enough that it can support the pregnancy.
Some Important Information Regarding the Calculator
The period calculator above also comes with a fertility calendar. You can navigate through different months by clicking on the NEXT 2 MONTHS and PREVIOUS 2 MONTHS links. This allows you to plan and prepare for your fertile and menstrual periods in the upcoming months.
What you do need to remember though is that the information isn’t 100% accurate as it is impossible to predict the human body.
Your fertile period gives you a good range in when to have intercourse to potentially get pregnant. You can learn more about the likelihood of conception in this article.
That being said, the menstrual calculator is still an extremely useful tool. It provides a simple way of knowing when to anticipate your next period and when is the best time to try for getting pregnant.
This could be a huge help for those with busy schedules to plan their days to start their family.
Learn more
Want to learn more about your menstrual cycle? Find out how does the Fertility Calculator work or how to to calculate your period manually.
Want to know if you’re pregnant? Take this online pregnancy test, read more about the most common reasons why your period might be late or find out when it’s the best time to take a home pregnancy test.
FAQs
How do I calculate the length of my cycle?
Can I have sex during my period?
What is the average length for periods?
My period is really heavy; what can I do to change that?
Can I get pregnant if my periods are irregular?
How do I know if I need to see a doctor because my heavy periods?
Can I prevent PMS?
Do you have any other question about your period, ovulation, pregnancy or other related topics? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions page.
References
- Your Fertility. Women’s Guide to Getting the Timing Right [link]
- Mayo Clinic. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). [link]
- Better Health Channel. Menstrual Cycle. [link]
- see above #3
- WebMD. Pregnancy and Conception. [link]
- Eleanor Jones via Cosmopolitan. 10 Questions Period All Guys Want Answered [link]
- Playtex. Period 101. [link]
- The University of Iowa. Birth Control Pill Fact Sheet. [link]
- WebMD. Slideshow: Answers to Your Top period Questions. [link]
- see above #9
Is it normal for a period which start on 30 of March to extend to April??
Hi Gudness, Considering there are 31 days in March and that would only be a 2 day cycle, yes it’s completely normal for it to extend into the next month. Just because the calendar date changes doesn’t mean your period will adhere to it.
Hello, I started my periods on the 29/3/2019 and finished on the 1/4/2019 the same on the 1/4/2019, I had unprotected sex, on the 28/4/2019 I was having a pain at the right side of my tummy to the down of my tummy and my back too today on the 30/4/2019 am seeing someone light bleeding.
Hi Evelyn, it could be your period honestly. With having sex on the last day of your period with what appears to be 29 day cycle, you would not have been ovulating at that time. The pain you felt could have been PMS. I would recommend waiting a few days and taking a pregnancy test if you don’t experience what you consider to be a normal period.
Hi
I got my period on the 27 March and ended the 30 March. I’m supposed to get my period the 24 of April its the 29 of April. Should I get tested?
Hi Rechel, Sorry for the late response. If you haven’t gotten your period at this point than yes I would recommend a pregnancy test.
I saw my period on 3rd of April.. But had sex on 21st of April.. Now is 27th april.. Haven’t seen my period yet.. Please am I safe?
Hi Bless, Based on a 28 day cycle you would be looking at your period the 1st of May. So unless you have a shorter cycle you haven’t reached the day yet. If you haven’t gotten your period yet I would take a pregnancy test. However your ovulation period is the 13th to the 17th. SO you most likely should still be anticipating (or have had at this point) your period. If as of this date you haven’t gotten it, take a test.
My period was on 3 march, and that much late and now April 27. What happened? I tested again and the result was negative. Please answer what should I do?
Hi Dina, so are you saying you haven’t had a period since March 3rd? Consider any major changes that have happened in your life. That could be the cause, however if you still haven’t gotten your period (and if you aren’t of menopausal age, or even if you are), make an appointment with your doctor as they can run blood work and see what is going on.
I have a question my period came on April 8th and came off April 14th or 15th had unprotected sex April 22nd an the next day I’m spotting pink in it’s only April 26 right now why am I spotting?? When should I take a test
Hi Quinisha, Spotting could be ovulation bleeding at this point. However, you should anticipate your period (or have gotten it already) somewhere around the 6th of May. If you haven’t at this point I would take a pregnancy test as the 22nd would have been the last day of your ovulation period.
Hi I got my period on 15th and finished on 18 th when I can get pregnant ? I want to know the dates.
Hi Jass, based on a 28 day cycle you would have been fertile from April 25th to the 29th. Since we have already passed that timeframe you should be anticipating your next period from roughly the 13th to the 16th of May and then your next ovulation period and most fertile time period would be from the 23rd to the 27th of May. Good luck!
I had my period on 24 of march that lasted for 3 days and on the 5th day I had unprotected sex. It flowed again and stopped. I made love for two weeks and I took postinor 2 and have not seen my Period.
Hi Zainab, if I understand you correctly you took emergency contraception. Because it’s a large surge of hormones it can affect your next period. For some it comes later and some earlier. However, if you didn’t take it within the recommended timeframe (at most 72 hours) after unprotected sex (and the longer you wait the less effective it can be) you could still have gotten pregnant. It also does not protect you for the rest of the month, just that session so to speak. Take a pregnancy test at this point if you have not gotten your period.
Hello I started my period on 26 of march
2019 with no sex and to it has start again what is the problem I don’t understand twice in month
Hi Stix, There isn’t enough information in here for anything to be said. Twice in a month is always possible, especially when you have your period early in the month then if you have a cycle less than 30 days you would inevitably see it twice that month. Hopefully that helps.
My period started on 25th March 2019 and lasted for 5 days. I had sex on 2nd April 2019 but we used protection. My cycle usually is of 28 days. So is there any chances that I might have conceived.
Hi Aliah, the 2nd of April would have been 2 days prior to your ovulation timeframe, however if you were protected there shouldn’t have been any worry (although failure of whatever protection you are using is always possible).
May last period starts last April 8, 2019. We had an unsafe sex with my husband today April 21, 2019. Is there a possibility that I will be pregnant? How many percent of chances? I have a normal cycle. I am worried because of my age. I am now 41.
Hi Ann, well the 21st would have been during your ovulation timeframe, so yes it’s quite possible that you got pregnant during that time period. If you haven’t seen your period at this point I would recommend a pregnancy test if you have’t done so already.
My wife had her period in march 3-6 and also had another period from march 30 to April first,is it possible for her to have another period in this same April?
Hi Cyrus, Sorry for the late response however yes it is possible. If her cycle isn’t 30 days and she has it at the beginning of the month yes having it a second time is completely normal.
My last period was march 17 and lasted 5 days ended on march 22 and my cycle last 30 days my nipples and boobs hurt and ive been eating syrup with my french toast i hate syrup with a passion could i possible be pregnant
Hi Erica, did you have unprotected sex during your ovulation window? If so then yes it’s quite possible. However food cravings can be for a lot of reasons. I would recommend a pregnancy test if you haven’t taken one and haven’t gotten your period. That being said, March 22nd would not have been anywhere near when you should have gotten your next period. Now if you have’t gotten as of when you posted this on April 19th, then yes take a test.
My last period was on 21st March and I had sex on 10th of April till now I have not seen my period what’s going on please.
Hi there, have you taken a pregnancy test? If not that should be your first route to go. Especially at the time of my response here.
I got my period in feb from 1st to 5th, we also had sex during my most fertile time that month. In March I did get my period from 10th to 13th. This month that’s April I still haven’t got my periods yet. I should have come on the 7th or the 8th and ended by the 11th of April maximum. I have no sign of period at all except for 2 days last week where I did see very lil brownish blood but just about 1% only when I use a tissue to wipe and check. Could someone tell me what’s happening!??? I am really tensed and confused. I’d be glad if I’m pregnant but if I’m not then what’s happening. This is quite irritating. Please help!
Hi Nisha, take a pregnancy test. That is the best advice I have for you at this point. Good Luck!
Please I am having serious cramps after I menstruated. Please what can the cause be? thanks
Hi Jane, That could just be how your body handles your period honestly. Cramping is something that a lot of women deal with especially with PMS. The fact that it is after your period could just be your bodies way of clearing itself out. If it doesn’t get relieved by general pain medications then I would recommend speaking with your doctor as they can run tests and see if there is something else going on that is causing the pain (there are plenty of conditions that can cause cramping and should be checked out). Good Luck!