How long do I wait between eating meat and dairy?

Here's what you need to know

The waiting time between eating meat and dairy varies by custom, but the most common practice is to wait six hours.

The specific rule is

Wait six hours between eating meat and dairy. Some communities wait only three or one hour, but six hours is the most widely observed practice.

Background

The waiting period is based on the Talmudic discussion about separating meat and dairy meals. The six-hour wait is derived from the time it takes for meat to be digested and for its taste to leave the mouth. Some communities, like those from Germany or the Netherlands, have shorter waiting times based on their traditions. The six-hour practice is based on the Shulchan Arukh, which is widely followed.

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