OB Wheel

Chinese gender chart (just for fun)

The famous Chinese gender chart — sometimes called the Chinese gender calendar or predictor — with an instant look-up and the full chart. It’s a folk tradition, not science: enjoy it as a game.

For entertainment only. A baby’s sex is set at conception and no chart can predict it. Studies find this chart is right about half the time — the same as tossing a coin.

Roughly your age at conception + 1.

Lunar month 1 starts at the lunar new year (late Jan–Feb).

The full Chinese gender chart

Rows are the mother’s lunar age (18–45); columns are the lunar month of conception (1–12).

Age123456789101112
18BoyGirlBoyGirlGirlBoyBoyGirlGirlGirlGirlGirl
19GirlBoyGirlBoyBoyBoyGirlGirlGirlGirlBoyBoy
20BoyGirlBoyGirlGirlBoyBoyGirlGirlGirlGirlBoy
21BoyGirlGirlBoyBoyBoyBoyBoyBoyBoyBoyBoy
22GirlBoyBoyGirlBoyGirlGirlBoyGirlGirlGirlGirl
23BoyGirlBoyBoyGirlBoyBoyGirlBoyGirlGirlBoy
24BoyGirlGirlBoyGirlBoyGirlBoyGirlGirlGirlGirl
25GirlBoyGirlGirlBoyGirlBoyGirlBoyGirlGirlBoy
26BoyGirlBoyGirlGirlBoyGirlBoyGirlGirlGirlGirl
27GirlBoyGirlBoyGirlGirlBoyBoyGirlBoyGirlBoy
28BoyGirlBoyGirlBoyGirlGirlBoyGirlBoyGirlGirl
29GirlBoyBoyGirlBoyGirlBoyGirlBoyGirlBoyGirl
30BoyBoyBoyBoyBoyBoyBoyBoyBoyBoyBoyBoy
31BoyGirlBoyBoyBoyBoyBoyGirlBoyBoyBoyGirl
32BoyBoyGirlBoyBoyBoyBoyGirlBoyBoyBoyBoy
33GirlBoyGirlBoyBoyBoyGirlBoyGirlBoyGirlBoy
34BoyGirlBoyGirlBoyBoyBoyGirlBoyBoyBoyGirl
35BoyBoyGirlBoyGirlBoyBoyGirlBoyGirlBoyGirl
36GirlBoyBoyGirlBoyGirlBoyGirlBoyGirlBoyGirl
37BoyGirlBoyBoyGirlBoyGirlBoyGirlBoyGirlBoy
38GirlBoyGirlBoyGirlGirlGirlBoyGirlBoyGirlBoy
39BoyGirlGirlBoyGirlBoyBoyGirlBoyGirlGirlGirl
40GirlBoyGirlBoyGirlBoyGirlBoyGirlBoyGirlBoy
41BoyGirlBoyGirlBoyGirlBoyGirlBoyGirlBoyBoy
42GirlBoyGirlBoyGirlBoyGirlBoyGirlBoyGirlBoy
43BoyBoyGirlBoyGirlBoyGirlBoyGirlBoyGirlBoy
44BoyGirlGirlGirlBoyGirlBoyGirlBoyGirlBoyGirl
45GirlBoyGirlBoyGirlBoyGirlBoyGirlBoyGirlBoy

Does it work?

No. When researchers tested the chart against real births in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, its positive predictive value was 50% — exactly what you’d expect from guessing. The chart’s legend says it was found in an ancient royal tomb, but there’s no evidence for that either. It’s best enjoyed as a bit of fun while you wait. For more playful predictions, try the old wives’ tales quiz or the baby predictions page; for real dates, the OB wheel.

Frequently asked questions

How does the Chinese gender chart work?

You find the mother’s lunar age at conception down the side and the lunar month of conception across the top; the square where they meet says boy or girl. Lunar age is usually your age plus one year.

Is the Chinese gender chart accurate?

No more than a coin toss. In a small study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (1999), the chart’s predictions were right about 50% of the time, the same as guessing.

How do I work out my lunar age?

A simple approximation is your age at conception plus one year (in the traditional system you are 1 at birth). Some versions also adjust for the lunar new year, which falls in late January or February.

How can I really find out the baby’s sex?

Blood tests that screen the baby’s DNA in the mother’s blood (NIPT) can show the sex from about 10 weeks where offered, and the mid-pregnancy scan at around 18–21 weeks can often show it.

Sources

  1. Ostler S, Sun A. Fetal sex determination: the predictive value of 3 common myths. CMAJ 1999;161(12):1525–6