Shabbat begins at sunset on Friday and ends when three stars appear on Saturday night (approximately 42-72 minutes after sunset, depending on your location and custom).
Candle lighting is typically 18 minutes before sunset in most communities (some light 20, 30, or 40 minutes early).
How Shabbat Times Are Calculated
Shabbat times vary based on your geographic location and the time of year. Here's what determines when Shabbat starts and ends:
Sunset Friday: The halachic start of Shabbat
Candle Lighting: 18 minutes before sunset (most communities)
Jerusalem: 40 minutes before sunset
Three Stars: When 3 medium stars are visible
Havdalah: The ceremony ending Shabbat
Typical: 42-72 minutes after sunset
Why Shabbat Times Change Each Week
Shabbat times change throughout the year because they're based on astronomical events. In summer, Shabbat starts later (sometimes after 8 PM in northern locations) and in winter it starts earlier (sometimes before 4 PM). This is why it's essential to check the times each week.
Popular City Shabbat Times
Click any city to see this week's exact times:
Frequently Asked Questions
You can light candles until sunset. After sunset, Shabbat has begun and you should not light candles. The 18-minute window is a safety margin to ensure you light before Shabbat.
While most communities light 18 minutes before sunset, some have different customs: Jerusalem lights 40 minutes early, some Chassidic communities light 20 or 30 minutes early. Follow your community's custom.
Shabbat ends when three medium-sized stars are visible in the sky. In practice, this is calculated as a specific number of minutes after sunset (typically 42-72 minutes depending on location and custom). Our calculator shows the exact time for your area.