Korean Age Calculator
Calculate Korean age, international age, and year age
Enter Birth Date
Select your date of birth
Your date of birth (YYYY-MM-DD)
Birth Information
Age Systems Explained
International Age
Western age system (most common)
Korean Age (λ§ λμ΄)
Traditional Korean age system
Year Age (Counting Age)
Age based on birth year only
Age Comparison
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About Korean Age Calculator
Korean Age System
The Korean age system is a traditional way of calculating age that differs from the international system. In Korea, everyone is considered 1 year old at birth (accounting for time in the womb), and everyone ages together on January 1st, regardless of their actual birthday. This means Koreans can be 1-2 years "older" than their international age.
Three Age Systems
- International Age: The most common system worldwide. You are 0 at birth and age on your birthday.
- Korean Age: You are 1 at birth and everyone ages on January 1st.
- Year Age: Simply current year minus birth year, used in some contexts.
2023 Law Change in South Korea
In June 2023, South Korea officially adopted the international age system for legal and administrative purposes, ending the traditional Korean age system in official documents. However, the Korean age system is still used in social and cultural contexts.
When to Use Each System
- International Age: Official documents, legal matters, international communication
- Korean Age: Social situations, casual conversations in Korea
- Year Age: School enrollment, some traditional contexts in East Asia
Cultural Context
Age is very important in Korean culture as it determines social hierarchy, language use (formal vs. informal), and social relationships. The Korean age system reflects the collectivist nature of Korean society, where everyone born in the same year is considered the same age and part of the same cohort.
Similar Systems
Similar age counting systems have been used historically in other East Asian countries including China, Japan, and Vietnam, though most have now adopted the international system for official purposes.
Fun Facts
- A baby born on December 31st would be 2 years old the next day (January 1st) in Korean age
- The Korean age system means everyone born in the same year is the same age
- The term "λ§ λμ΄" (man nai) specifically refers to international age in Korean
- Before 2023, South Korea used three different age systems simultaneously