Countdown to Cyber Monday

Cyber Monday is the online counterpart to Black Friday, falling on the Monday after Thanksgiving, and the countdown above shows exactly how long is left until the deals go live. What began as a way for retailers to capture shoppers returning to fast office internet connections has become one of the largest online shopping days in the world.

Because Cyber Monday is an internet event rather than a doorbuster queue, the timing matters more than the location: discounts often start at midnight, run in timed waves through the day, and sell out in minutes. Watching the countdown lets you have carts loaded and payment details ready before the clock hits zero.

When is Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday is always the Monday after Thanksgiving, which places it on the Monday after Black Friday and four days after the fourth Thursday of November. The date moves every year, so the countdown above tracks the next one for you. You can line up the whole shopping weekend with our Thanksgiving countdown and Black Friday countdown, or measure any gap yourself with the time until calculator.

The history of Cyber Monday

The term was coined in 2005 by Shop.org, a division of the US National Retail Federation, after data showed a spike in online orders on the Monday following Thanksgiving. The original explanation was that shoppers browsed from work, where connections were faster than dial-up at home. Broadband and smartphones made that reasoning obsolete, but the date stuck and retailers worldwide now build dedicated campaigns around it.

Cyber Monday and Black Friday

The two days have steadily merged. Black Friday now runs large online promotions of its own, and Cyber Monday often extends into a Cyber Week. The practical difference is emphasis: Black Friday still leans toward televisions, appliances and in-store traffic, while Cyber Monday skews to smaller electronics, software, subscriptions and fashion, where shipping is easy.

Getting ready for the countdown

• Build wishlists in advance so you are not searching under time pressure.
• Check prices beforehand, since a discount from an inflated list price is not a saving.
• Confirm the seller's return window before ordering.
• Note the time zone a sale starts in, as many run on US Eastern time.
• Have payment and address details saved to survive a fast checkout.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday is always the Monday after Thanksgiving in the United States, which is the Monday following Black Friday. The date changes each year, and the countdown above tracks the next one.

Is Cyber Monday better than Black Friday?

Neither is reliably cheaper. Black Friday tends to favour large electronics and in-store doorbusters, while Cyber Monday favours online-only categories such as smaller gadgets, software and clothing.

What time do Cyber Monday deals start?

Many retailers begin at midnight, though the relevant time zone is usually US Eastern. Some start deals late on Sunday evening and release further waves through Monday.

Who invented Cyber Monday?

The name was coined in 2005 by Shop.org, part of the US National Retail Federation, after order data showed a clear spike on the Monday after Thanksgiving.

Is Cyber Monday only in the United States?

No. It started in the US but is now marketed by retailers in the UK, Canada, Australia, much of Europe and beyond, usually on the same Monday.