Is Lent 40 or 46 Days Long and When Does it End?

Lent begins Ash Wednesday and ends six weeks later before Easter Sunday. Lent is a period of time leading up to Easter marked by fasting and prayer to seek repentance. Many believe the time frame is based on the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness being tempted by satan. We don’t often realize just how long Lent lasts until we start a fast during it. When we begin to crave sugar or meat, we may wonder when does Lent end this year? And why does it last for 40 days?

But how long is lent and why does Lent last 40 days (give or take six)? And when does it end on the Easter calendar? We’ll explore some of Lent’s origins and the reasoning behind the dates of this holiday.

How Long is Lent?

Many people build “cheat days” into Lent, often indulging on Sundays. Technically, the season lasts 46 days from Ash Wednesday to Easter, not 40, which leaves six Sundays that are not counted as fasting days. Those Sundays may be used to eat restricted foods or resume habits like social media, even if one has given them up for Lent. The number 40, meanwhile, symbolizes the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert.

Originally, Lent was structured as a literal 40 days, following the Council of Nicaea. However, in the sixth century, Pope St. Gregory discouraged fasting on Sundays because of their celebratory nature, reducing fasting days to 34. To preserve the symbolic 40-day fast, the Church adjusted the calendar by starting Lent on Ash Wednesday, creating the 46-day span used today, a practice that has remained since the 800s.

Does Lent End on Easter or Good Friday?

When Does Lent End?

As described above, it really does depend on your denomination or convictions, and depending on how you count the 40 days of Lent. However, for this year, I can include the dates of some of the important Lenten days, so you can decide for yourself when you choose to end Lent.

If you want to follow a literal 40 days, and want to exclude Sundays from that, as per the Pope’s instructions from the 6^th century, then I also suggest getting out a calendar to make sure you use up all the literal 40 days.

Important Lenten Dates in 2026

• Ash Wednesday: February 18th, 2026
• Palm Sunday: March 29th, 2026
• Good Friday: April 3rd, 2026
• Holy Saturday: April 4th, 2026
• Easter Sunday: April 5th, 2026
  
  

What Are the Rules for Lent?

The rules of Lent may differ depending on the congregation or person. Some people do what I like to call “freestyle” where they pick and choose what they want to give up for Lent. For instance, someone may choose to social media fast. Perhaps they will not go on a social media platform for the entirety of Lent.

Other people may refrain from sweets, junk food, or in some cases, food altogether.

The reason why people do this is because Jesus went for 40 days without eating food in the desert. When people give up something, they remember about how he resisted the temptation of the devil, whilst being very hungry. Let’s take a look at that passage:

Matthew 4:1-11: “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.”

Essentially after Jesus does not eat for 40 days, the devil attempts to tempt him three times. Each time, Jesus combats him with the word of God.

Although people may pick and choose, traditionally, Lent follows these guidelines:

No Eating Meat on Fridays and Ash Wednesday: This includes Good Friday. You can eat fish, however. During medieval times, people would break the rules and say that a “beaver” was a fish, just to add a little variety to the diet. But generally, aside from fish, you can’t eat any animals on these days. This abstinence period also applies to dairy products. For more on the rules of fasting, check out this article here.

Two Obligatory Days of Fasting: These occur on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. The Catholic church usually has those from ages 18 to 59 participate. But if someone has a health condition that necessitates eating food every day, they do not have to participate.

Giving Up Something: It’s voluntary, in addition to the observances above. But typically people will give up something else in addition to the traditional rules of Lent.

The church may differ on some of the technicalities of Lent—and in the case of the Western and Eastern split, the holiday of Easter will fall on different dates—but no matter when we celebrate, Lent gives us a chance to reflect on Jesus’ time here on Earth. During this time of waiting and fasting, we cling to him and remember his good promises that he has fulfilled and will fulfill when he comes again.

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Coompia77

Hope Bolinger is an acquisitions editor at End Game Press, book editor for hire, and the author of almost 30 books. More than 1500 of her works have been featured in various publications. Check out her books at hopebolinger.com for clean books in most genres, great for adults and kids. Check out her editing profile at Reedsy.com to find out about hiring her for your next book project.