When Is Cyber Monday? 2025 Date & Black Friday Guide

Anyone who’s tried to plan holiday shopping knows the question isn’t just what to buy, but when. Cyber Monday has grown from a clever marketing term into the biggest online shopping day in the U.S., and nailing the date can make a real difference to your wallet. In 2025, that date lands on December 1 — but the story behind it and how it compares to Black Friday is worth understanding before you click “add to cart.”

Cyber Monday 2025 date: December 1 · Year Cyber Monday started: 2005 · Biggest online shopping day in the US: Cyber Monday · Cyber Monday 2026 date: November 30

The date of Cyber Monday follows a simple rule, but the implications for shoppers are anything but simple. Here are the key facts at a glance.

The pattern: the dates are predictable but vary from year to year, so checking the exact calendar each season matters.

When is Cyber Monday?

When is Cyber Monday 2026?

Cyber Monday 2026 falls on Monday, November 30, 2026. That date is based on the rule — the Monday after Thanksgiving, which is always the fourth Thursday of November. Several sources confirm this date, including Fnac (French retailer) and Wikipedia. One source, Combak (retail blog), lists it as December 1, 2026, but the majority of evidence points to November 30.

When does Cyber Monday end?

Cyber Monday traditionally lasts 24 hours, ending at midnight on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. According to TPE ACTU (shopping guide), Cyber Monday 2025 ends at midnight. However, many retailers extend deals for the full week, blurring the line between Cyber Monday and Cyber Week.

When did Cyber Monday start?

The term “Cyber Monday” was coined in 2005 by Shop.org, the online retail division of the National Retail Federation, to describe the Monday after Thanksgiving when online sales spike. Wikipedia (user-contributed encyclopedia) traces its origin to a press release that noted people returning to work after the holiday weekend would shop online using their work computers.

The implication: Cyber Monday’s date is fixed to a U.S. holiday, so international shoppers must adjust their calendars accordingly. The pattern is predictable, but the end time is not universal — always check the fine print on each retailer’s site.

What is the difference between Cyber Monday and Black Friday?

What is Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday is an online-focused shopping event that takes place the Monday after Thanksgiving. Wikipedia describes it as a marketing term that has become synonymous with deep online discounts. Unlike Black Friday, which started as an in-store phenomenon, Cyber Monday was born purely for e-commerce.

What is Black Friday?

Black Friday occurs the Friday after Thanksgiving — in 2025, that’s November 28, according to blackfridayfrance.fr. Historically, it marks the start of holiday shopping with early-morning doorbusters at physical stores.

Key differences in shopping experience

• Cyber Monday is entirely online; Black Friday now spans both online and in-store.
• Black Friday 2025 is three days before Cyber Monday, per blackfridayfrance.fr.
• Retailers adjust discounts between the two events based on stock and weekend sales performance.

The trade-off: Black Friday offers broader doorbusters but requires physical presence; Cyber Monday demands patience but rewards those who wait for online exclusives. The best strategy depends on whether you value convenience over the thrill of a limited in-store deal.

Is it cheaper on Black Friday or Cyber Monday?

Which has bigger discounts?

It depends on the category. The Running Collective (retail blog) notes that Cyber Monday tends to offer better discounts on electronics and small appliances, while Black Friday often has steeper cuts on clothing, home goods, and televisions. blackfridayfrance.fr adds that Cyber Monday discounts are sometimes adjusted based on how Black Friday weekend performed, meaning the best deals on electronics may only appear after the first wave.

Is it better to shop Amazon Black Friday or Cyber Monday?

Amazon’s Black Friday event runs for days, sometimes weeks, while Cyber Monday is a concentrated 24-hour push. According to historical data from Wikipedia, Amazon often offers its best Lightning Deals on Cyber Monday for electronics and smart-home devices. However, if you see a price below known lows on Black Friday, it’s usually safe to buy — waiting until Cyber Monday risks stockouts.

Two categories, one pattern: electronics lean Cyber Monday, home goods lean Black Friday. The catch: Amazon’s “Black Friday” deals now often last a week, so the line blurs.

Is it worth waiting until Cyber Monday?

Pros of shopping on Cyber Monday

What if you miss Black Friday deals?

TPE ACTU calls Cyber Monday “the last big online promotion wave before the holidays.” If you miss Black Friday, Cyber Monday is essentially a second chance — but with a narrower focus on online-only deals. The Running Collective describes it as the ultimate chance to snag deals you regret skipping.

The trade-off: waiting adds risk of stockouts and delivery delays, but for patient shoppers, the reward is often a lower total spend on electronics and small appliances.

What is the biggest sale day of the year?

Is Cyber Monday the biggest?

In the United States, Cyber Monday is the biggest online shopping day of the year by online sales volume, according to Wikipedia. However, Wikipedia’s Black Friday entry notes that Black Friday still generates more total combined online and in-store sales. Globally, China’s Singles’ Day (November 11) dwarfs both, generating over $100 billion in a single day.

How does Black Friday compare?

Black Friday 2023 saw an estimated $9.8 billion in online sales, while Cyber Monday exceeded $12 billion, per National Retail Federation (trade association). The difference: Black Friday’s in-store foot traffic still drives higher overall revenue, but Cyber Monday’s pure online focus gives it a higher digital share.

One number tells the story: Cyber Monday 2023 hit $12.2 billion in U.S. online sales, confirming its status as the biggest digital shopping day.

“Cyber Monday is the ultimate chance to get the best deals if you missed Black Friday.”

— The Running Collective (retail blog)

“Cyber Monday is a marketing term for the Monday after Thanksgiving in the United States.”

— Wikipedia (user-contributed encyclopedia)

For U.S. holiday shoppers, the choice between Black Friday and Cyber Monday is not binary — it’s about timing and category. Those who wait until Cyber Monday for electronics typically save 10-20% more, but risk stockouts. For clothing and home goods, Black Friday remains the stronger play.

If you are also curious about the counterpart event, check out the guide for Black Friday in the UK to compare dates and deals.

Frequently asked questions