What Is a Leap Year and How Often Does It Occur?

Discover how often leap years occur and the rules governing them to maintain our calendar alignment with Earth's orbit.

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Leap years occur every 4 years. A year is a leap year if it is divisible by 4, but not if it is divisible by 100, unless it is also divisible by 400. This keeps our calendar in alignment with the Earth's revolutions around the Sun.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What makes a year a leap year? A year is a leap year if it is divisible by 4, but not if it’s divisible by 100 unless it’s also divisible by 400.
  2. Why do we have leap years? Leap years are used to keep our calendar in sync with the Earth's revolutions around the Sun.
  3. When was the last leap year? The most recent leap year was 2020, and the next one will be in 2024.
  4. How can I calculate if a year is a leap year? To determine if a year is a leap year, check if it is divisible by 4, and follow the exceptions for 100 and 400.

Watch More

If you're fascinated by calendars and how they work, check out our other videos on timekeeping systems and celestial events to expand your knowledge.

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