How Many Weeks in Summer?

Curious about summer's length? It’s typically 13 weeks. Explore more about how many weeks are in summer, the duration of summer break is, and why it varies.
Updated: May 15, 2025
4 minutes read
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Summer, filled with warm weather, vacations, and outdoor fun, is a season that many people eagerly anticipate. Have you ever wondered exactly how many weeks in summer? Understanding the length of summer can help with planning your summer break, vacations, and even academic schedules. Now, let’s explore the length of summer from meteorological and astronomical perspectives, how to calculate the number of summer weeks, etc.

How Many Weeks in Summer: Astronomical Summer vs. Meteorological Summer

First things first, the duration of summer and its start and end dates vary depending on how it is defined. There are two main ways to mark the start and end of summer: astronomical and meteorological.

Astronomical Summer

Astronomical summer, or “regular” summer, is defined by the position of the Earth relative to the sun.

In the Northern Hemisphere, it officially starts on the summer solstice, or June solstice, and ends on the autumnal equinox. This typically places the start of summer around June 20 or 21 and its end around September 22 or 23.

In the Southern Hemisphere, the astronomical summer starts and ends on the December solstice and March equinox, respectively. 

Duration: Astronomical summer lasts about 13 weeks, or approximately 91 days, although it can vary slightly due to the Earth's orbital patterns. 

Meteorological Summer

Meteorological summer is based on the calendar. It divides the year into 4 equal seasons, each lasting 3 months, with summer beginning and ending on June 1 and August 31, respectively, in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, summer lasts from December 1st to February 28 or 29.

Duration: Meteorological summer lasts exactly 92 days or 13 weeks in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, it spans 90 or 91 days, depending on whether it's a leap year.

Calculate How Many Weeks in Summer Using Time Calculators

There are various online time calculators available at timecalculators.io that can help you determine how many weeks are in summer, such as the Weeks Calculator and the “How Many Days Until Summer” countdown tool. Here’s how:

Step 1. Determine the first and last day of the summer in your region.

Step 2. Go to the “Weeks Calculator,” then input the summer’s first day and last day in the “Start date” and “End date” fields, respectively.

Step 3. Press the Calculate button and view the results.

That’s it! Not only does this tool help you calculate the number of weeks in the summer, but it also shows you the total number of days, hours, minutes, and seconds in the whole summer.

How Long is Summer Break? Summer Break in Different Countries

Summer break is often a cherished time for students in schools and universities, as it offers a pause from the usual routines of classes, homework, and exams. However, though summer lasts about 13 weeks, the length of summer break for students can vary depending on different factors, such as country, local educational policies, educational system, and specific school schedules.

For example, many countries in Europe and North America have summer breaks for primary and secondary schools typically lasting around two to three months (from early July or late June to early September or late August).

Here’s a look at the length of summer break in the U.S. and some other countries:

  • United States: About 10-12 weeks off during summer, from late May or early June until late August or early September.
  • Australia: Approximately 6-7 weeks, from mid-December until late January or early February next year. (Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere.)
  • India: Around 6-8 weeks, beginning in April or May and then ending in June or July.
  • Brazil: Approximately 2-3 months, from late December or early January next year to late February or early March. (Brazil is also located in the Southern Hemisphere.)
  • China: Around 6-8 weeks, typically starting in early July and then ending in late August.
  • South Africa: Typically 4-6 weeks, between early or mid-December and mid-January or early February of the next year. (South Africa is a country in the Southern Hemisphere.)

Note: The above summer break durations are approximate, as the exact length of summer breaks depends on a wide variety of factors.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Many Days Until Summer?

The number of days until summer depends on the current date and the specific summer's start date in your region. For example, if today is April 1st and you are in the Northern Hemisphere, there are about 80 days until the start of astronomical summer on June 21st.

To find out the exact number of days left until summertime, our “how many days until summer” countdown tool can help. Simply visit the tool, and you'll instantly see the total remaining days, hours, minutes, and even seconds. Additionally, the first day of astronomical summer is displayed below the countdown clock.

Does Summer Always Last the Same Number of Weeks Every Year?

While the length of summer is generally consistent, slight variations can occur due to the Earth's orbit and leap years. Astronomical summer can vary by a day or two, while meteorological summer remains 92 days in the Northern Hemisphere.

Why Do Summers Have Different Start and End Dates in Different Countries?

The start and end dates of summer vary due to several factors, such as hemispheric differences, leap or non-leap years, astronomical vs. meteorological summer, and the timing of solstices and equinoxes. For instance, summer in the Northern Hemisphere occurs in June-August, while in the Southern Hemisphere, it spans December-February.

To sum up, summer typically lasts around 13 weeks, yet the start and end dates can vary from year to year. Understanding the length of summer can help with planning vacations, aligning schedules, and making the most of this vibrant season. With online time calculators, determining the start dates, the days remaining until summer, and the number of weeks in summertime has never been easier.