Shabbat Times
for Any City
Shabbat candle lighting and Havdalah times calculated for every city on Earth. Shabbat begins each Friday at sunset (candles are lit 18 minutes prior) and ends Saturday night when three stars appear. Times vary by geographic location because sunset depends on latitude, longitude, and time of year. This free tool from baba provides real-time countdowns, covers 12 major Jewish communities by default, and lets you search any city or use GPS for your exact location. All calculations use precise astronomical data. The weekly Torah portion (parsha) is also displayed so you know this week's Shabbat reading at a glance.
These times come from baba, a Hebrew translation app for the blessings, the parsha, and the Hebrew around your table.
Get baba FreeLast updated: September 9, 2026
What time does Shabbat start?
Shabbat starts Friday at sunset, and candles are lit 18 minutes before sunset (40 minutes in Jerusalem). The exact clock time depends on your city and the week, so check the candle-lighting time for your location in the cards below.
What time is Havdalah?
Havdalah ends Shabbat on Saturday night when three medium stars are visible, calculated as roughly 42 to 72 minutes after sunset depending on community custom. Each city card shows the precise Havdalah time for your location.
Find Your Shabbat Times
What Time Does Shabbat Start in Major Cities?
Jerusalem
Tel Aviv
New York
Los Angeles
Miami
London
Paris
Sydney
Toronto
Buenos Aires
Moscow
Mumbai
Key Facts About Shabbat Times
Shabbat candle lighting occurs 18 minutes before sunset every Friday (40 minutes in Jerusalem).
Havdalah marks the end of Shabbat, typically 42 minutes after sunset on Saturday night.
Times shift weekly because the Earth's axial tilt changes the sunset position throughout the year.
At extreme latitudes (e.g., Scandinavia, Alaska), Shabbat can last over 24 hours in summer or be very short in winter.
The Hebrew date changes at sunset, not midnight -- so Shabbat (the 7th day) begins Friday evening.
How Are Shabbat Times Calculated?
Shabbat times are based on precise astronomical calculations for your specific location. Here is how the process works in three steps.
Enter Your Location
Type any city name or tap "Use My Location" for GPS coordinates. We resolve your exact latitude, longitude, and time zone.
Astronomical Calculation
Using your coordinates, we calculate the precise sunset time and apply the traditional 18-minute offset for candle lighting and community-standard Havdalah time.
Live Countdown
See real-time countdowns to candle lighting or Havdalah, the weekly Torah portion, and times for 12 major cities -- all updated every second.
What Is Shabbat and Why Do Times Matter?
Shabbat is the Jewish day of rest, observed every week from Friday evening to Saturday night. It is one of the most important observances in Judaism, rooted in the Torah's account of creation where God rested on the seventh day. Observant Jews refrain from work, light candles to welcome Shabbat, and gather for festive meals with family and community.
Knowing the exact candle lighting time is not optional -- it is a halachic (Jewish legal) requirement. Candles must be lit before sunset, and the universally accepted practice is 18 minutes before sunset (except in Jerusalem, where 40 minutes is customary). If you light candles even one minute after sunset, you have technically violated Shabbat.
Havdalah, the ceremony that ends Shabbat, requires waiting until nightfall -- defined as when three medium-sized stars become visible. In practice, this is calculated as a specific number of minutes after sunset (typically 42 minutes for Rabbeinu Tam or a shorter time depending on your community's custom).
Because the Earth tilts on its axis, sunset times change throughout the year and vary dramatically by latitude. A community in Stockholm experiences vastly different Shabbat lengths than one in Buenos Aires. This is why accurate, location-specific times are essential for proper observance.
Did you know?
In Barrow, Alaska (latitude 71 N), the sun does not set for 84 consecutive days in summer, creating unique halachic challenges for Shabbat observance. Rabbinical authorities have developed specific guidelines for communities at extreme latitudes.
Frequently asked questions
What time does Shabbat start this week?
Shabbat begins at sunset on Friday evening, typically 18 minutes before sunset when candles are lit. The exact time varies by location and week because it follows the solar calendar. Use the tool above to find precise candle lighting times for your city.
What is Shabbat and why are the times important?
Shabbat (the Jewish Sabbath) is a weekly day of rest observed from Friday evening to Saturday night. Knowing the exact candle lighting time is essential because Jewish law requires lighting Shabbat candles before sunset on Friday. Havdalah marks the end of Shabbat on Saturday night.
How are Shabbat candle lighting times calculated?
Candle lighting times are calculated based on the astronomical sunset for your specific geographic coordinates. Most communities light candles 18 minutes before sunset, though some (like Jerusalem) use 40 minutes. Times change weekly as sunset shifts throughout the year.
Why do Shabbat times differ between cities?
Shabbat times differ because sunset occurs at different moments depending on your latitude, longitude, and time zone. A city further north will have earlier sunsets in winter and later sunsets in summer compared to a southern city. Elevation also plays a minor role.
What is Havdalah and when does it happen?
Havdalah is the ceremony marking the end of Shabbat on Saturday night. It typically occurs when three medium-sized stars are visible in the sky, which is calculated as a specific number of minutes after sunset (usually 42 or 72 minutes depending on community custom).
What is the weekly Torah portion (Parsha)?
The Torah is divided into 54 weekly portions read in synagogue on Shabbat mornings. Each week has a designated parsha that Jewish communities worldwide read simultaneously, completing the entire Torah in one year. The parsha name appears above with this week's reading.
Can I get Shabbat times for any location in the world?
Yes. Enter any city name in the search box or use the "Use My Location" button for GPS-based results. Our tool covers every location on Earth using precise astronomical calculations for your exact coordinates and time zone.
Do Shabbat times change with daylight saving time?
Shabbat times automatically adjust for daylight saving time (DST) changes. Since they are based on actual sunset at your location, the clock time shifts when DST begins or ends, but the astronomical event remains the same. All times shown here reflect your local clock.
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