Mars Sign Calculator
Enter your birthday to find your Mars sign, down to the degree, and your next Mars return.
Your Mars sign is the zodiac sign the planet Mars was in when you were born. Astrologers read it as your drive: how you go after what you want, how you compete, and how you show anger and desire. Unlike Mercury and Venus, Mars can be in any sign whatever your Sun sign is. To find it, you only need your date of birth.
How the calculator works
The calculator finds where Mars appeared from Earth, against the zodiac, at the moment you were born. It reports the sign and degree, the dates Mars entered and left that sign, whether it was retrograde, and when it next comes back to the same degree.
Our Mars positions were compared with values from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory at 9 dates between 1950 and 2030. The largest gap was 2.2 arcseconds, a distance Mars covers in about 1 minute at its fastest. The numbers are on the method page.
How long Mars stays in a sign
Mars circles the Sun in 687 days, a little under two years. A typical stay in one sign is 46 days. Every couple of years, though, it turns retrograde and lingers: the longest stay between 1930 and 2040 was 235 days in Virgo, from November 11, 2011 to July 3, 2012. People born in a stretch like that share a Mars sign with everyone born for months around them.
Mars retrograde
About every 26 months, Earth catches up with Mars and passes it. For 60 to 81 days, Mars appears to move backward. That covers 9.5% of all days, so about one person in 11 is born with Mars retrograde.
There is a simple check. Mars is only ever retrograde when it is on the far side of the sky from the Sun: across every retrograde from 1930 to 2040, it was never closer than 129 degrees to the Sun. So if you were born with Mars retrograde, Mars was up for most of the night, and your Mars sign is at least four signs away from your Sun sign.
Astrologers read a natal Mars retrograde as drive turned inward: slower to anger, more strategic than impulsive, and inclined to compete with oneself.
A worked example
Take someone born on June 15, 1995. Mars was at 10°06′ Virgo that day, moving forward. It was in Virgo from May 25, 1995 to July 21, 1995, a stay of 57 days. The Sun was in Gemini, 3 signs behind Mars.
Mars first came back to that degree on November 18, 1996, when that person was 1. That was the first Mars return. The next three fell on October 24, 1998; October 3, 2000; September 14, 2002.
Mars sign dates, 2026 to 2028
These are the dates Mars moves from sign to sign, in Universal Time.
| Mars in | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| Capricorn | Dec 15, 2025 | Jan 23, 2026 |
| Aquarius | Jan 23, 2026 | Mar 2, 2026 |
| Pisces | Mar 2, 2026 | Apr 9, 2026 |
| Aries | Apr 9, 2026 | May 18, 2026 |
| Taurus | May 18, 2026 | Jun 28, 2026 |
| Gemini | Jun 28, 2026 | Aug 11, 2026 |
| Cancer | Aug 11, 2026 | Sep 28, 2026 |
| Leo | Sep 28, 2026 | Nov 25, 2026 |
| Virgo | Nov 25, 2026 | Feb 21, 2027 |
| LeoEntered moving backward | Feb 21, 2027 | May 14, 2027 |
| Virgo | May 14, 2027 | Jul 15, 2027 |
| Libra | Jul 15, 2027 | Sep 2, 2027 |
| Scorpio | Sep 2, 2027 | Oct 15, 2027 |
| Sagittarius | Oct 15, 2027 | Nov 25, 2027 |
| Capricorn | Nov 25, 2027 | Jan 3, 2028 |
| Aquarius | Jan 3, 2028 | Feb 10, 2028 |
| Pisces | Feb 10, 2028 | Mar 19, 2028 |
| Aries | Mar 19, 2028 | Apr 27, 2028 |
| Taurus | Apr 27, 2028 | Jun 7, 2028 |
| Gemini | Jun 7, 2028 | Jul 20, 2028 |
| Cancer | Jul 20, 2028 | Sep 4, 2028 |
| Leo | Sep 4, 2028 | Oct 24, 2028 |
| Virgo | Oct 24, 2028 | Dec 21, 2028 |
| Libra | Dec 21, 2028 | Apr 7, 2029 |
Mars retrograde dates, 1930 to 2040
Each row runs from the day Mars turned retrograde to the day it turned direct again, with the stretch of the zodiac it backed through. Dates are in Universal Time.
| Start | End | Backed from |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 8, 1986 | Aug 12, 1986 | 23° Capricorn to 11° Capricorn |
| Aug 26, 1988 | Oct 28, 1988 | 11° Aries to 29° Pisces |
| Oct 20, 1990 | Jan 1, 1991 | 14° Gemini to 27° Taurus |
| Nov 28, 1992 | Feb 15, 1993 | 27° Cancer to 8° Cancer |
| Jan 2, 1995 | Mar 24, 1995 | 2° Virgo to 13° Leo |
| Feb 6, 1997 | Apr 27, 1997 | 5° Libra to 16° Virgo |
| Mar 18, 1999 | Jun 4, 1999 | 12° Scorpio to 24° Libra |
| May 11, 2001 | Jul 19, 2001 | 29° Sagittarius to 15° Sagittarius |
| Jul 29, 2003 | Sep 27, 2003 | 10° Pisces to 0° Pisces |
| Oct 1, 2005 | Dec 10, 2005 | 23° Taurus to 8° Taurus |
| Nov 15, 2007 | Jan 30, 2008 | 12° Cancer to 24° Gemini |
| Dec 20, 2009 | Mar 10, 2010 | 19° Leo to 0° Leo |
| Jan 24, 2012 | Apr 14, 2012 | 23° Virgo to 3° Virgo |
| Mar 1, 2014 | May 20, 2014 | 27° Libra to 9° Libra |
| Apr 17, 2016 | Jun 29, 2016 | 8° Sagittarius to 23° Scorpio |
| Jun 26, 2018 | Aug 27, 2018 | 9° Aquarius to 28° Capricorn |
| Sep 9, 2020 | Nov 14, 2020 | 28° Aries to 15° Aries |
| Oct 30, 2022 | Jan 12, 2023 | 25° Gemini to 8° Gemini |
| Dec 6, 2024 | Feb 24, 2025 | 6° Leo to 17° Cancer |
| Jan 10, 2027 | Apr 1, 2027 | 10° Virgo to 20° Leo |
| Feb 14, 2029 | May 5, 2029 | 13° Libra to 24° Virgo |
| Mar 29, 2031 | Jun 13, 2031 | 21° Scorpio to 4° Scorpio |
| May 26, 2033 | Aug 1, 2033 | 12° Capricorn to 29° Sagittarius |
| Aug 15, 2035 | Oct 15, 2035 | 28° Pisces to 17° Pisces |
| Oct 12, 2037 | Dec 23, 2037 | 6° Gemini to 20° Taurus |
| Nov 23, 2039 | Feb 9, 2040 | 21° Cancer to 3° Cancer |
Show 1930 to 1985
| Start | End | Backed from |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 18, 1930 | Mar 8, 1931 | 16° Leo to 27° Cancer |
| Jan 21, 1933 | Apr 12, 1933 | 20° Virgo to 0° Virgo |
| Feb 27, 1935 | May 17, 1935 | 24° Libra to 6° Libra |
| Apr 14, 1937 | Jun 27, 1937 | 5° Sagittarius to 19° Scorpio |
| Jun 22, 1939 | Aug 23, 1939 | 4° Aquarius to 23° Capricorn |
| Sep 6, 1941 | Nov 10, 1941 | 23° Aries to 11° Aries |
| Oct 28, 1943 | Jan 10, 1944 | 22° Gemini to 4° Gemini |
| Dec 4, 1945 | Feb 21, 1946 | 3° Leo to 14° Cancer |
| Jan 8, 1948 | Mar 29, 1948 | 7° Virgo to 18° Leo |
| Feb 12, 1950 | May 3, 1950 | 11° Libra to 22° Virgo |
| Mar 25, 1952 | Jun 10, 1952 | 18° Scorpio to 1° Scorpio |
| May 23, 1954 | Jul 29, 1954 | 8° Capricorn to 25° Sagittarius |
| Aug 10, 1956 | Oct 10, 1956 | 23° Pisces to 13° Pisces |
| Oct 10, 1958 | Dec 20, 1958 | 2° Gemini to 16° Taurus |
| Nov 20, 1960 | Feb 6, 1961 | 18° Cancer to 29° Gemini |
| Dec 26, 1962 | Mar 16, 1963 | 24° Leo to 5° Leo |
| Jan 28, 1965 | Apr 19, 1965 | 28° Virgo to 8° Virgo |
| Mar 8, 1967 | May 26, 1967 | 3° Scorpio to 14° Libra |
| Apr 27, 1969 | Jul 8, 1969 | 16° Sagittarius to 1° Sagittarius |
| Jul 11, 1971 | Sep 9, 1971 | 21° Aquarius to 11° Aquarius |
| Sep 19, 1973 | Nov 26, 1973 | 9° Taurus to 25° Aries |
| Nov 6, 1975 | Jan 20, 1976 | 2° Cancer to 14° Gemini |
| Dec 12, 1977 | Mar 2, 1978 | 11° Leo to 22° Cancer |
| Jan 16, 1980 | Apr 6, 1980 | 15° Virgo to 25° Leo |
| Feb 20, 1982 | May 11, 1982 | 19° Libra to 0° Libra |
| Apr 5, 1984 | Jun 19, 1984 | 28° Scorpio to 11° Scorpio |
What each Mars sign means
These are the traditional readings of Mars by sign.
Mars in Aries
Mars rules Aries, so it acts at full strength here. Energy comes in bursts: fast to start, eager to compete and impatient with delay. Astrologers describe courage and directness, and a temper that flares and is gone.
Mars in Taurus
Tradition places Mars in detriment in Taurus, where its speed is slowed. Drive is steady and hard to stop once moving. This placement is read as patient, persistent and slow to anger, and formidable when finally pushed.
Mars in Gemini
Mars in Gemini fights with words. Energy is restless and scattered across several projects, and the mind is the weapon of choice. Astrologers note quick reactions, a love of debate, and trouble finishing what is started.
Mars in Cancer
Cancer is the sign of the fall of Mars. Action follows mood, and anger tends to go underground instead of out. The reading is a fierce protector of home and family who finds direct confrontation hard.
Mars in Leo
Mars in Leo acts with flair. It wants to lead, to be seen doing it, and to do it wholeheartedly. Astrologers describe strong will, pride and loyalty, and a dislike of being told what to do.
Mars in Virgo
Mars in Virgo puts its energy into work. It is precise, efficient and happiest with a problem to solve. The traditional reading is skill and stamina in detailed tasks, with irritation showing up as criticism.
Mars in Libra
Mars is in detriment in Libra, where the urge to act meets the wish to keep the peace. This placement weighs before it moves and fights best for fairness or on behalf of someone else. Indecision and indirect anger are the usual cautions.
Mars in Scorpio
Scorpio is the second sign Mars rules in traditional astrology. Drive is intense, controlled and aimed at one target. Astrologers read great stamina and strategic patience here, and a long memory for wrongs.
Mars in Sagittarius
Mars in Sagittarius acts on belief. It needs a cause, a horizon or a challenge, and it moves fast and optimistically. The reading is adventurous and outspoken, with energy spread across more plans than it can finish.
Mars in Capricorn
Mars is exalted in Capricorn, the sign where tradition honours it most. Energy is disciplined and aimed at long-term goals. Astrologers describe ambition, endurance and self-control, and work as the main outlet.
Mars in Aquarius
Mars in Aquarius acts on principle. It is independent, inventive and at its best working for a group or an idea. The placement is read as stubborn once decided, and cool in the heat of an argument.
Mars in Pisces
Mars in Pisces moves like water. Drive comes and goes with inspiration, and this placement fights hardest for others or for an ideal. Astrologers note sensitivity and creative energy, and a tendency to avoid direct conflict.
Where Mars is strong and weak
Traditional astrology grades each planet by sign. This is the grading for Mars.
| Sign | Element | Standing of Mars |
|---|---|---|
| Aries | Fire | At home (rules the sign) |
| Taurus | Earth | In detriment |
| Gemini | Air | Neutral |
| Cancer | Water | In fall |
| Leo | Fire | Neutral |
| Virgo | Earth | Neutral |
| Libra | Air | In detriment |
| Scorpio | Water | At home (traditional ruler) |
| Sagittarius | Fire | Neutral |
| Capricorn | Earth | Exalted |
| Aquarius | Air | Neutral |
| Pisces | Water | Neutral |
Questions people ask
How do I find my Mars sign?
Enter your date of birth in the calculator on this page. Your Sun sign gives no clue to it, because Mars moves on its own two-year cycle. Two people born a week apart nearly always share a Mars sign; two born a year apart rarely do.
What sign is Mars in now?
On October 11, 2026, Mars was at 7°41′ Leo. It stays in Leo until November 25, 2026.
What is a Mars return?
It is the moment Mars comes back to the exact degree it held when you were born, which happens every 1.88 years on average: at about 1.9, 3.8, 5.6, 7.5 years old, and so on. Astrologers treat it as the start of a new two-year cycle of effort and ambition. When a return falls near a retrograde, Mars crosses the degree three times within a few months. For someone born on June 15, 1995, that happens at 3 of the 43 returns in their first 80 years.
When is the next Mars retrograde?
The next one runs from January 10, 2027 to April 1, 2027, as Mars backs from 10° Virgo to 20° Leo. The table above lists every one from 1930 to 2040.
Is my Mars sign more important than my Venus sign?
Neither outranks the other. Astrologers read them as a pair: Venus for what you are drawn to, Mars for how you pursue it. You can find the other half with the Venus sign calculator.
Do I need my birth time?
Almost never. Mars changes sign only about 8 times a year. If you were born on one of those days, the calculator gives both signs and asks for your birth time.