Pi Day 2026: What to Know About the Annual Math Celebration

March 14, 2026 marks the national Pi Day holiday, with events and deals planned across the country.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 5:34pm

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Saturday, March 14, 2026 is Pi Day, an annual celebration of the mathematical constant pi (π). Schools, museums, and local businesses often plan special events and offer pie-related deals to mark the occasion. While the origins of pi are not definitively known, it has fascinated mathematicians for centuries, with key discoveries by figures like Archimedes. Some myths about pi, like the idea that personal identities can be found within its infinite digits, have also circulated online in recent years.

Why it matters

Pi Day provides an opportunity to engage the public, especially students, with the wonder of mathematics and the history of scientific discovery. The holiday highlights how mathematical concepts like pi have practical applications, from construction to astronomy, and have captivated human curiosity for millennia.

The details

Pi Day commemorates the mathematical constant pi, which represents the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter, approximately equal to 3.14159. While the exact origins of pi are unclear, the ancient Egyptians and Greek mathematician Archimedes made key early discoveries about the number. Modern myths have also circulated about pi containing hidden personal information within its infinite digits, though experts say these claims are unfounded. To celebrate Pi Day, schools, museums, and local businesses often host events like pie-eating contests, math trivia, and pie discounts.

  • Pi Day is celebrated annually on March 14 (3.14).
  • The next Pi Day will be on Saturday, March 14, 2026.

The players

Archimedes

A Greek mathematician, physicist, engineer, inventor, and astronomer who made significant early discoveries about the mathematical constant pi.

Steven Strogatz

An applied mathematics professor at Cornell University who has commented on myths and misconceptions surrounding pi.

Edward J. Goodwin

A physician who in 1897 unsuccessfully tried to convince Indiana state legislators to legally define pi as 3.2, rather than its actual continuous value.

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What they’re saying

“Even if it is true (which is not yet known), the digits in pi would tell us nothing about a person's life or identity, because, along with correct Social Security numbers and birthdays, there will also be wrong Social Security numbers and birthdays.”

— Steven Strogatz, Applied Mathematics Professor, Cornell University (nbcboston.com)

“There's a wonderful way to find pi for yourself. You find a floor with parallel lines; you find matches, pins, and pens, exactly the same length. If you drop a hundred of them at random on the floor, the points touching a line will equal pi.”

— Johnny Ball, Author, 'Why Pi? (Big Questions)' (nbcboston.com)

What’s next

Schools, museums, and local businesses across the country are expected to announce their Pi Day 2026 events and promotions in the weeks leading up to March 14.

The takeaway

Pi Day provides a fun and accessible way to engage the public, especially students, with the wonder of mathematics. The holiday highlights how mathematical concepts like pi have captivated human curiosity for centuries and have practical applications in fields from construction to astronomy.