How to Count the Omer
Complete Sefirat HaOmer Guide - Blessing, Formula & Practice
49 days from Passover to Shavuot
Practice Counting the Omer - Interactive Tool
Not sure you'll get the formula right? Our free practice mode lets you rehearse the blessing and counting for any of the 49 days -- before the Omer period even begins.
Includes word-by-word Hebrew, transliteration, English translation, and a quiz to test yourself.
Sefirat HaOmer ("Counting of the Omer") is a mitzvah from the Torah to count 49 days between Passover (Pesach) and Shavuot. The counting begins on the second night of Passover and continues each night until the eve of Shavuot, which celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.
The Torah commands: "You shall count for yourselves from the day after the day of rest, from the day you bring the Omer offering; seven complete weeks shall there be" (Leviticus 23:15).
2026 Omer dates: Counting begins the evening of Thursday, April 2, 2026 (second night of Passover) and continues through Thursday evening, May 21, 2026. Shavuot begins Friday evening, May 22, 2026.
The Omer Blessing
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ עַל סְפִירַת הָעֹמֶר
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha'olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu al sefirat ha'omer.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us regarding the counting of the Omer.
Important: Recite this blessing while standing, after nightfall. Then immediately state the day's count (see formula below). The blessing is the same every night -- only the count changes.
The Counting Formula
After the blessing, state the count. The formula changes depending on the day:
Days 1-6 (before the first full week):
"Today is [number] day(s) of the Omer."
"Hayom [number] yom/yamim la'omer."
Day 7 and beyond (full weeks):
"Today is [number] days, which is [X] week(s) and [Y] day(s) of the Omer."
"Hayom [number] yom, sheheim [X] shavuot v'[Y] yamim la'omer."
Exact week boundaries (days 7, 14, 21, etc.):
"Today is [number] days, which is [X] week(s) of the Omer."
"Hayom [number] yom, sheheim [X] shavuot la'omer."
Step-by-Step: How to Count Each Night
- 1
Wait for nightfall
The Omer is counted after nightfall (tzeit hakochavim -- when three stars are visible). Check your local zmanim times for the exact time.
- 2
Stand up
It is customary (and according to some authorities, required) to stand while counting the Omer.
- 3
Recite the blessing
Say the blessing above in full: "Baruch Atah Adonai... al sefirat ha'omer."
- 4
State the day's count
Immediately after the blessing, state the count for that day using the formula above. For example: "Today is twelve days, which is one week and five days of the Omer."
- 5
Reflect on the sefirah (optional)
Each of the 49 days corresponds to a unique combination of Kabbalistic attributes (sefirot). Many have the custom to meditate on the spiritual quality of that day.
Best time: Right after nightfall (tzeit hakochavim), typically after Maariv (the evening prayer).
Still valid: You can count anytime during the night until dawn (alot hashachar).
Forgot at night: If you forgot, you can count during the following day without a blessing, and then resume counting with a blessing the next evening.
Critical rule: If you miss an entire day (both night and following day), you continue counting for the remaining days but without saying the blessing. This is why many people set reminders or use a daily Omer counter.
If you forgot to count at night but remembered during the following day, count during the day without a blessing, then resume with a blessing the next night.
If you completely missed a day (didn't count at night or the next day), you should still continue counting for the rest of the Omer period, but without reciting the blessing. The counting itself still has value.
If you are unsure whether you counted, you may continue counting with the blessing, since the doubt works in your favor (safek d'rabbanan l'kula).
Example Counts
Day 1:
הַיּוֹם יוֹם אֶחָד לָעֹמֶר
Today is one day of the Omer.
Day 5:
הַיּוֹם חֲמִשָּׁה יָמִים לָעֹמֶר
Today is five days of the Omer.
Day 7:
הַיּוֹם שִׁבְעָה יָמִים שֶׁהֵם שָׁבוּעַ אֶחָד לָעֹמֶר
Today is seven days, which is one week of the Omer.
Day 12:
הַיּוֹם שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר יוֹם שֶׁהֵם שָׁבוּעַ אֶחָד וַחֲמִשָּׁה יָמִים לָעֹמֶר
Today is twelve days, which is one week and five days of the Omer.
Day 33:
הַיּוֹם שְׁלֹשָׁה וּשְׁלֹשִׁים יוֹם שֶׁהֵם אַרְבָּעָה שָׁבוּעוֹת וַחֲמִשָּׁה יָמִים לָעֹמֶר
Today is thirty-three days, which is four weeks and five days of the Omer. (Lag B'Omer!)
Day 49:
הַיּוֹם תִּשְׁעָה וְאַרְבָּעִים יוֹם שֶׁהֵם שִׁבְעָה שָׁבוּעוֹת לָעֹמֶר
Today is forty-nine days, which is seven weeks of the Omer.
In the Kabbalistic tradition, each of the 49 days corresponds to a unique combination of two of the seven lower sefirot (Divine attributes). The first week focuses on Chesed (Lovingkindness), the second on Gevurah (Strength/Discipline), and so on:
Chesed
Lovingkindness
Gevurah
Strength / Discipline
Tiferet
Beauty / Harmony
Netzach
Victory / Endurance
Hod
Splendor / Gratitude
Yesod
Foundation / Connection
Malchut
Sovereignty / Leadership
Each day combines the week's sefirah with a daily sefirah. For example, Day 1 is "Chesed within Chesed" (lovingkindness within lovingkindness), Day 2 is "Gevurah within Chesed" (discipline within lovingkindness), and so on through all 49 combinations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most authorities agree you fulfill the mitzvah by counting in any language you understand. However, it is preferable to count in Hebrew. Our practice mode helps you learn the Hebrew counting so you can do it properly.
If someone tells you "tonight is day 15 of the Omer" and you respond affirmatively (e.g., "yes, it is"), some authorities hold that you may have fulfilled the mitzvah and can no longer say the blessing. To be safe, avoid answering with the count if you haven't yet counted yourself.
Counting the Omer is a time-bound positive mitzvah, from which women are traditionally exempt. However, many women have accepted this mitzvah upon themselves and count with a blessing. Sephardic authorities generally hold women should count without a blessing.
Absolutely! In fact, we built our interactive practice tool exactly for this purpose. You can practice the blessing and counting formula for any of the 49 days, learn word-by-word Hebrew, and test yourself -- all before the Omer period begins.
Lag B'Omer is the 33rd day of the Omer count (the Hebrew letters Lamed-Gimel = 33). It is a minor holiday marking the end of a plague among Rabbi Akiva's students and the yahrzeit of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. The mourning customs of the Omer period are suspended on this day. Learn more on our Lag B'Omer holiday page.