How the Nakshatra calculator works
Enter your birth date, time and place. We work out where the Moon was in the sidereal zodiac (Lahiri ayanamsa, Swiss Ephemeris) and tell you your Janma Nakshatra, Pada, Moon sign (Rashi) and — when you give a birth time — your Ascendant. Nothing is stored; the calculation is anonymous.
Planning a baby's birth? Many families also look at the Nakshatra the Moon will be in on the day. See our month-by-month auspicious birth date guides.
The 27 Nakshatras and their ruling planets
Browse celebrities by Nakshatra, Moon sign or the A–Z directory.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Nakshatra?
A Nakshatra is one of the 27 lunar mansions of Vedic astrology, each spanning 13°20′ of the zodiac. Your birth Nakshatra (Janma Nakshatra) is the one the Moon was in when you were born, and it is used for naming, compatibility, timing and the Vimshottari Dasha system.
How is my Nakshatra calculated?
We compute the Moon’s exact sidereal longitude at your birth moment with Swiss Ephemeris and the Lahiri ayanamsa, then find which of the 27 equal 13°20′ divisions it falls in. Each Nakshatra is further split into four Padas (quarters).
Do I need my exact birth time?
It helps a lot. The Moon changes Nakshatra roughly once a day, so on many dates the answer depends on the time of birth. If you do not know it, this calculator checks the whole day and tells you when two Nakshatras are possible. Your birth time is also needed for the Ascendant (Lagna).
Why does my Nakshatra differ from other websites?
Usually the cause is the time zone, a missing birth time, or a different ayanamsa. This tool converts your birth time from your birth city’s local clock (with historic daylight saving) to UTC and uses the Lahiri ayanamsa, the standard in India.
Is this calculator free?
Yes — no sign-up needed. Creating a free AstroTwinz AI account adds your full Kundli, Dasha periods, celebrity Nakshatra match and a birth-predictions report.