Deadlines · Four batches a year
The YC application deadline for every 2026 batch.
Y Combinator now runs four batches per year, which means four deadlines, four interview windows and four decision dates. Here they all are, plus what actually happens if you miss one.
Deadline calendar
| Batch | Deadline | Interviews | Batch runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 (X26) | Early January 2026 | February 2026 | March–May 2026 |
| Summer 2026 (S26) | Early April 2026 | May 2026 | June–August 2026 |
| Fall 2026 (F26) | Early August 2026 | August–September 2026 | September–November 2026 |
| Winter 2027 (W27) | Autumn 2026 | October–November 2026 | January–March 2027 |
Dates are directional — always confirm at ycombinator.com/apply.
What to do at each point
- 90 days out: draft the form, film the founder video, sharpen the traction story.
- 30 days out: submit. Early submissions get more partner read time.
- Deadline week: keep the update field alive with launches, users and revenue.
- Interview week: 10 minutes, fast answers, no pitching. Prep with the interview questions.
FAQ
When is the YC application deadline?
YC runs four batches a year, so there are four deadlines: roughly early January (Spring/X26), early April (Summer/S26), early August (Fall/F26) and mid-autumn (Winter/W27). Each closes about three months before its batch starts.
What is the YC S26 application deadline?
Summer 2026 applications close in early April 2026, with interviews in May and the batch running June–August 2026. Confirm the exact date at ycombinator.com/apply.
What is the YC F26 deadline?
Fall 2026 applications close in early August 2026. Interviews run August–September and the batch runs September–November 2026.
Can I still apply after the YC deadline?
Yes. YC reviews late applications on a rolling basis and has funded companies that applied after the cut-off. But interview slots fill in deadline order, so late submissions get less partner attention.
How early should I submit?
Thirty days out is the sweet spot. Early applicants get more read time, and you can keep updating the form with new traction right up to the decision date.
How long after the deadline do I hear back?
Interview invitations go out 3–4 weeks after the deadline. Interviews are 10 minutes and decisions come the same day or within 24 hours.
Does applying to an earlier deadline improve my odds?
Applying early within a cycle helps marginally. Applying to an earlier batch does not — YC assesses each cycle independently, and reapplying with progress is a well-worn path in.
Keep reading
Pillar
The Y Combinator Application →
The complete pillar guide: questions, deadlines, video, interview, odds.
Questions
YC Application Questions →
Every question on the YC application, what reviewers want, and good vs bad answers.
Timeline
YC Application Deadlines 2026 →
W26, S26, F26 dates, timelines, and what to submit when.
Batch
YC S26 Batch →
Summer 2026 dates, deadline, and your application timeline.
Batch
YC W26 Batch →
Winter 2026 dates, Demo Day, batch size and the $500K deal.
Data
YC Acceptance Rate →
1–2% overall, ~20% after interview — the real numbers batch by batch.