Cancer & Leo Compatibility
This pairing can work with effort, requiring understanding, communication, and a shared commitment to each other's needs.
✦Reviewed by the CosmyDay Astrology Team
Overall Compatibility
55%
Love
60%
Friendship
60%
Work
Cancer & Leo: Astrological Fast Facts
- Cancer
- Jun 21 – Jul 22 · Water · Cardinal · ruled by Moon
- Leo
- Jul 23 – Aug 22 · Fire · Fixed · ruled by Sun
- Zodiacal aspect
- Semi-sextile (30°)
- Elements
- Water + Fire — contrasting elements with different core needs; harmony comes through effort.
- Modalities
- Cardinal + Fixed — different rhythms that can balance each other well.
- Polarity
- Opposite polarity (one Yang, one Yin) — the classic active/receptive attraction.
- Rank for each sign
- #7 of 12 for Cancer · #8 of 12 for Leo
In astrology, Cancer and Leo sit in a semi-sextile to each other — neighbouring signs — quite different wiring, with little natural friction but also little in common.
Are you sure you are Cancer and Leo?
Sun-sign dates shift by a day or two from year to year, so the ranges printed on most sites — including the conventional Jun 21 – Jul 22 in the summary above — are a rounded average, not the real boundary. Cancer season has begun on 3 different calendar days since 1930, and the Sun last actually entered Cancer on the conventional date in 2026. If either birthday falls near a boundary, check the exact year below — and if it is the boundary day itself, the free birth chart settles it to the minute.
| Year | Cancer season | Leo season |
|---|---|---|
| 2030 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| 2029 | Jun 20 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| 2028 | Jun 20 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| 2027 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 23 |
| 2026 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| 2025 | Jun 20 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| 2024 | Jun 20 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| 2023 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 23 |
| 2022 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| 2021 | Jun 20 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| 2020 | Jun 20 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| 2019 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 23 |
| 2018 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 23 |
| 2017 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| 2016 | Jun 20 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| 2015 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 23 |
| 2014 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 23 |
| 2013 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| 2012 | Jun 20 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| 2011 | Jun 21 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 2010 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 23 |
| 2009 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| 2008 | Jun 20 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| 2007 | Jun 21 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 2006 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 23 |
| 2005 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| 2004 | Jun 20 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| 2003 | Jun 21 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 2002 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 23 |
| 2001 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| 2000 | Jun 20 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| 1999 | Jun 21 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 1998 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 23 |
| 1997 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| 1996 | Jun 20 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| 1995 | Jun 21 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 1994 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 23 |
| 1993 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| 1992 | Jun 20 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| 1991 | Jun 21 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 1990 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 23 |
| 1989 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| 1988 | Jun 20 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| 1987 | Jun 21 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 1986 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 23 |
| 1985 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 23 |
| 1984 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| 1983 | Jun 21 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 1982 | Jun 21 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 1981 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 23 |
| 1980 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| 1979 | Jun 21 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 1978 | Jun 21 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 1977 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 23 |
| 1976 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| 1975 | Jun 21 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 1974 | Jun 21 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 1973 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 23 |
| 1972 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| 1971 | Jun 21 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 1970 | Jun 21 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 1969 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 23 |
| 1968 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| 1967 | Jun 21 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 1966 | Jun 21 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 1965 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 23 |
| 1964 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| 1963 | Jun 21 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 1962 | Jun 21 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 1961 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 23 |
| 1960 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| 1959 | Jun 21 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 1958 | Jun 21 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 1957 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 23 |
| 1956 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 23 |
| 1955 | Jun 22 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 1954 | Jun 21 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 1953 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 23 |
| 1952 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 23 |
| 1951 | Jun 22 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 1950 | Jun 21 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 1949 | Jun 21 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 1948 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 23 |
| 1947 | Jun 22 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 1946 | Jun 21 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 1945 | Jun 21 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 1944 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 23 |
| 1943 | Jun 22 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 1942 | Jun 21 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 1941 | Jun 21 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 1940 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 23 |
| 1939 | Jun 22 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 1938 | Jun 21 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 1937 | Jun 21 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 1936 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 23 |
| 1935 | Jun 22 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 1934 | Jun 21 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 1933 | Jun 21 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 1932 | Jun 21 – Jul 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 23 |
| 1931 | Jun 22 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| 1930 | Jun 21 – Jul 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
Computed with the Swiss Ephemeris, bisected to the minute and shown in US Eastern time. A season ends the moment the next one begins. Every upcoming sign change is in the zodiac seasons calendar.
Overview
Cancer and Leo are a mixed bag, needing effort to thrive. The sensitive Cancer can be drawn to Leo's confidence, while Leo appreciates Cancer's nurturing side. However, their core needs and communication styles differ, requiring understanding and compromise for a lasting connection.
Love & Romance
Romantically, Leo's bold gestures can initially charm Cancer, who offers a safe haven. However, Leo's need for constant attention might overwhelm Cancer's need for quiet intimacy. Cancer's moodiness can frustrate Leo's sunny disposition. Finding a balance between grand romance and cozy nights in is key.
Friendship
As friends, they can enjoy fun times. Leo brings the energy, and Cancer provides loyalty and support. Conflicts arise when Leo's need to be the center of attention clashes with Cancer's desire for emotional depth. Open communication and mutual respect are essential.
Work & Collaboration
In a work setting, Leo's leadership skills can complement Cancer's organizational abilities. Leo's enthusiasm motivates, while Cancer's attention to detail ensures projects are completed. However, Leo's directness might hurt Cancer's feelings, and Cancer's cautious approach can frustrate Leo.
Tips for This Pairing
- ✓Cancer, be direct about your needs.
- ✓Leo, be mindful of Cancer's sensitive nature.
- ✓Schedule quality time for meaningful conversations.
- ✓Appreciate each other's unique strengths.
- ✓Compromise on social activities and downtime.
Want a deeper compatibility reading?
This page shows general Cancer–Leo compatibility based on Sun signs. For a personalized analysis using your exact birth dates, times, and locations — including Moon, Venus, and Mars placements — try our free calculator.
Check Your Personal CompatibilityGender-Specific Compatibility
Frequently Asked Questions
Cancer and Leo score 58% overall — 55% in love, 60% in friendship and 60% at work. The two signs sit 30° apart on the zodiac wheel, a semi-sextile: neighbouring signs — quite different wiring, with little natural friction but also little in common. Of the twelve signs Cancer can pair with, Leo ranks #7.
Cancer scores highest with Scorpio (85%), Pisces (83%), Taurus (82%). The most challenging pairing is Sagittarius (47%). Leo sits at #7 of 12.
Leo scores highest with Sagittarius (88%), Aries (85%), Gemini (80%). The most challenging pairing is Pisces (52%). Cancer sits at #8 of 12.
Cancer is Cardinal and Leo is Fixed, so they start, sustain and change direction on different timetables. On the elements: Water + Fire — contrasting elements with different core needs; harmony comes through effort. Cancer is ruled by the Moon and Leo by the Sun, which is where their instincts about safety and risk diverge. Their lowest score is 55%, so that is the area to work on deliberately.
Their friendship score (60%) is at or above their love score (55%), which usually means the bond outlasts the initial spark — these two tend to do better as it settles. Opposite polarity (one Yang, one Yin) — the classic active/receptive attraction. Sun signs describe roughly a twelfth of a chart, though — Moon, Venus and Mars placements decide far more of how a real relationship runs.
That was the sky. This is your sky.
Everything above is true for everyone. These three are true only for you — and all free.