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UK moon calendar
Moon phases in March 2026
March 2026 has 4 principal moon phases, with the new moon on 19 March 2026 and the full Worm Moon on 3 March 2026. Below are exact UK times, a day-by-day table and the best nights for dark skies.
Moon phases in March 2026 (UK times)
Times are calculated with astronomy-engine and shown in UK clock time (GMT or BST). They are accurate to about a minute.
| Phase | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Full moon | 3 March 2026 | 11:38 GMT |
| Last quarter | 11 March 2026 | 09:39 GMT |
| New moon | 19 March 2026 | 01:24 GMT |
| First quarter | 25 March 2026 | 19:18 GMT |
The full moon in March 2026
The Worm Moon is full on 3 March 2026 at 11:38 GMT, rising over London at about 18:00.
Read the story behind the name on our full moon names pages.
Best nights for dark skies
The darkest skies this month fall around the new moon, roughly 16 March to 22 March. That is the time for meteor watching, the Milky Way and faint galaxies. In folk practice the new moon is also the traditional time to set intentions.
Day-by-day moon calendar for March 2026
Phase and illumination at midday; moonrise and moonset for London (other UK places differ by up to about an hour; see your town in our local guides).
| Date | Phase | Lit | Moonrise | Moonset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Sun | Waxing gibbous | 95% | 15:15 | 06:10 |
| 2 Mon | Waxing gibbous | 99% | 16:39 | 06:27 |
| 3 Tue | Full moon | 100% | 18:00 | 06:40 |
| 4 Wed | Waning gibbous | 99% | 19:17 | 06:52 |
| 5 Thu | Waning gibbous | 96% | 20:33 | 07:03 |
| 6 Fri | Waning gibbous | 91% | 21:49 | 07:14 |
| 7 Sat | Waning gibbous | 84% | 23:04 | 07:27 |
| 8 Sun | Waning gibbous | 76% | – | 07:43 |
| 9 Mon | Waning gibbous | 68% | 00:19 | 08:03 |
| 10 Tue | Waning gibbous | 59% | 01:31 | 08:31 |
| 11 Wed | Last quarter | 49% | 02:37 | 09:10 |
| 12 Thu | Waning crescent | 40% | 03:31 | 10:02 |
| 13 Fri | Waning crescent | 31% | 04:14 | 11:07 |
| 14 Sat | Waning crescent | 22% | 04:45 | 12:21 |
| 15 Sun | Waning crescent | 14% | 05:08 | 13:40 |
| 16 Mon | Waning crescent | 8% | 05:25 | 15:01 |
| 17 Tue | Waning crescent | 3% | 05:39 | 16:22 |
| 18 Wed | Waning crescent | 0% | 05:51 | 17:44 |
| 19 Thu | New moon | 0% | 06:03 | 19:08 |
| 20 Fri | Waxing crescent | 3% | 06:16 | 20:35 |
| 21 Sat | Waxing crescent | 8% | 06:31 | 22:05 |
| 22 Sun | Waxing crescent | 15% | 06:51 | 23:36 |
| 23 Mon | Waxing crescent | 25% | 07:18 | – |
| 24 Tue | Waxing crescent | 35% | 07:58 | 01:03 |
| 25 Wed | First quarter | 47% | 08:55 | 02:17 |
| 26 Thu | Waxing gibbous | 58% | 10:09 | 03:12 |
| 27 Fri | Waxing gibbous | 69% | 11:32 | 03:50 |
| 28 Sat | Waxing gibbous | 78% | 12:58 | 04:16 |
| 29 Sun | Waxing gibbous | 87% | 15:22 | 05:34 |
| 30 Mon | Waxing gibbous | 93% | 16:42 | 05:48 |
| 31 Tue | Waxing gibbous | 97% | 17:59 | 06:00 |
Closest and farthest moon
- Apogee (farthest): 10 March 2026, 404,374 km
- Perigee (closest): 22 March 2026, 366,846 km
Eclipses
- Total lunar eclipse on 3 March 2026, greatest at 11:33 GMT. Whether it is visible depends on the moon being above the UK horizon at that time.
Festivals on the Wheel of the Year
See our Wheel of the Year guide for traditions and ideas.
- Ostara, the spring equinox: 20 March 2026, 14:45 GMT
Using the moon this month
Moon gardeners traditionally sow leafy crops as the moon waxes and root crops as it wanes. It is folklore rather than science, but it gives the month a pleasant rhythm. See our moon gardening guide.
Moon pieces from the shop
Questions answered
When is the full moon in March 2026?
3 March 2026 at 11:38 GMT UK time. It is traditionally called the Worm Moon.
When is the new moon in March 2026?
19 March 2026 at 01:24 GMT UK time.
What is the best night for stargazing in March 2026?
Around the new moon on 19 March, when the sky is darkest. Pick a clear night and get away from streetlights.
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