Sunrise Sunset Times Calculator

Calculate sunrise, sunset, day length, and solar noon for any location and date. Plan outdoor activities with accurate solar times.

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate are the results?
The Sunrise Sunset Times applies a standard formula to your inputs — accuracy depends on how precisely you measure those inputs. For planning and estimation, results are reliable. For high-stakes or professional decisions, cross-check the output with a domain expert or primary source.
Can I use this on mobile?
Yes — the calculator is designed to work on any device. For complex multi-input calculations on small screens, landscape orientation gives more room to see all fields and results simultaneously.
What time is sunrise today?
Sunrise time depends on your latitude, longitude, and the current date. Enter your coordinates and today's date into the calculator above to get the exact local sunrise time. As a general guide, mid-latitude US cities see sunrise between roughly 5:30 AM in summer and 7:30 AM in winter. The further north you are, the greater the swing between seasons.
Why do days get longer in summer?
Earth's rotational axis is tilted about 23.5 degrees relative to its orbital plane. During summer in your hemisphere, your location is tilted toward the sun — the sun rises earlier, climbs higher in the sky, and sets later. The effect grows with latitude: tropical regions see only a modest difference of an hour or two between summer and winter, while locations near the Arctic Circle experience near-continuous daylight around the summer solstice.
What is the golden hour in photography?
The golden hour is the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset. At these times, sunlight travels through a much thicker slice of atmosphere, scattering shorter (blue) wavelengths and leaving warm, orange-amber tones. The light is softer, shadows are longer, and subjects are lit from the side rather than overhead — qualities that are far more flattering for portraits, landscapes, and architectural photography than harsh midday sun. Use the calculator to find exact golden-hour windows for any location and date.
Which city has the longest days in summer?
The longest summer days belong to the highest latitudes. In the United States, Fairbanks, Alaska (64.8°N) leads with nearly 22 hours of daylight on the summer solstice (around June 21). Above the Arctic Circle (66.5°N) — which runs through northern Alaska, Canada, Scandinavia, and Russia — the sun does not set at all for days or weeks around the solstice, a phenomenon called the midnight sun. In the contiguous US, Seattle and Minneapolis have noticeably longer summer days than cities like Miami or Los Angeles.

Sunrise Sunset Times Calculator: Plan Your Day with Solar Precision

Understanding sunrise and sunset times is essential for planning outdoor activities, photography, agriculture, and understanding seasonal changes. The position of the sun affects everything from our daily routines to natural ecosystems.

The Sunrise Sunset Times Calculator helps you determine the exact times when the sun will rise and set at any location on Earth. This tool uses astronomical algorithms to calculate solar times based on latitude, longitude, date, and timezone.

This guide will walk you through:

  • Understanding how sunrise and sunset times are calculated
  • Factors that affect solar times throughout the year
  • How to use the calculator for different locations
  • Understanding day length variations
  • Practical applications for outdoor planning

By the end, you'll understand how to accurately predict solar times and use this information for better planning.

Understanding Sunrise and Sunset: The Basics

Sunrise and sunset times are determined by the Earth's rotation and its position relative to the sun. Key concepts include:

  • Solar Noon - When the sun reaches its highest point
  • Day Length - Total time between sunrise and sunset
  • Civil Twilight - Period of sufficient light for outdoor activities
  • Astronomical Twilight - Period when the sun is below the horizon

Why Times Vary

Sunrise and sunset times vary due to:

  • Latitude - Distance from the equator affects day length
  • Season - Earth's tilt causes seasonal variations
  • Date - Position in Earth's orbit around the sun
  • Location - Local terrain and atmospheric conditions

Breaking Down the Solar Time Calculation

The formula used by the Sunrise Sunset Times Calculator involves several astronomical calculations:

Sunrise/Sunset = Solar Noon +/- (Day Length / 2) Where: Solar Noon = 12:00 + Equation of Time + Longitude Correction Day Length = 2 x arccos(-tan(lat) x tan(d)) / 15 d = Solar Declination

Let's break this down with a real-world example.

Example: New York City on Summer Solstice

Calculate sunrise and sunset for New York City (40.7128N, 74.0060W) on June 21:

  • Latitude: 40.7128N
  • Longitude: 74.0060W
  • Date: June 21 (Summer Solstice)
  • Timezone: UTC-5 (Eastern Time)
  • Result: Sunrise ~5:30 AM, Sunset ~8:30 PM

Factors Affecting Solar Times

Several factors influence sunrise and sunset calculations:

  1. Latitude Effects - Higher latitudes have more extreme day length variations
  2. Seasonal Changes - Earth's axial tilt causes seasonal differences
  3. Equation of Time - Difference between apparent and mean solar time
  4. Atmospheric Refraction - Light bending affects apparent sunrise/sunset

Key Astronomical Concepts

  • Solar Declination - Sun's angular distance from the celestial equator
  • Hour Angle - Angular distance from solar noon
  • Zenith Distance - Angular distance from the zenith
  • Parallax - Apparent shift due to Earth's position

Applications of Sunrise Sunset Calculations

Knowing sunrise and sunset times has numerous practical applications:

  1. Outdoor Activities - Planning hiking, photography, sports
  2. Agriculture - Crop planning and irrigation scheduling
  3. Energy - Solar panel efficiency and renewable energy planning
  4. Transportation - Road safety and lighting requirements
  5. Wildlife - Understanding animal behavior patterns

Real-World Examples

  • Photography - Golden hour timing for optimal lighting
  • Farming - Determining optimal planting and harvesting times
  • Construction - Planning work hours and safety considerations
  • Tourism - Planning sightseeing and outdoor activities
  • Health - Understanding seasonal affective disorder patterns

Using the Sunrise Sunset Calculator Effectively

To get the most from the Sunrise Sunset Times Calculator:

  1. Enter Accurate Coordinates - Use precise latitude and longitude
  2. Consider Timezone - Account for daylight saving time changes
  3. Plan Ahead - Calculate times for future dates
  4. Compare Locations - See how times vary across different places

Tips for Accurate Results

For the most accurate calculations:

  • Use decimal degrees for coordinates
  • Account for daylight saving time
  • Consider local terrain effects
  • Understand the difference between civil and astronomical twilight

Understanding Day Length Variations

Day length varies significantly throughout the year:

  • Equinoxes - Equal day and night (12 hours each)
  • Solstices - Maximum and minimum day lengths
  • Polar Regions - Extreme variations with polar day/night
  • Tropical Regions - Minimal seasonal variation

Seasonal Patterns

Understanding seasonal patterns helps with planning:

  • Winter - Shorter days, earlier sunsets
  • Spring - Increasing day length
  • Summer - Longest days, latest sunsets
  • Autumn - Decreasing day length

Special Cases and Considerations

Some locations have unique solar time characteristics:

  • Polar Regions - 24-hour daylight or darkness
  • High Altitude - Earlier sunrise due to elevation
  • Coastal Areas - Refraction effects from water
  • Urban Areas - Buildings may block early/late sun

Final Thoughts

Understanding sunrise and sunset times helps us connect with natural rhythms and plan our activities more effectively. Whether you're a photographer seeking perfect lighting, a farmer planning crop cycles, or simply someone who enjoys outdoor activities, knowing solar times enhances your planning.

The Sunrise Sunset Times Calculator provides accurate predictions based on astronomical calculations, helping you make informed decisions about your daily activities and long-term planning.

Give the calculator a try and discover how solar times can improve your planning!

Daylight Hours by Season and Latitude

Day length at the solstices varies dramatically with latitude. The further from the equator you are, the more extreme the difference between summer and winter daylight hours. Use the table below as a quick reference, then plug your own coordinates into the calculator for a precise result.

City Latitude Summer Solstice Daylight Winter Solstice Daylight
Fairbanks, AK 64.8°N 21h 49m 3h 42m
Seattle, WA 47.6°N 15h 59m 8h 34m
New York, NY 40.7°N 15h 5m 9h 15m
Los Angeles, CA 34.0°N 14h 26m 9h 54m
Miami, FL 25.8°N 13h 45m 10h 31m
Honolulu, HI 21.3°N 13h 26m 10h 50m
Equator (0°) 0°N 12h 0m 12h 0m
Sydney, Australia 33.9°S 10h 3m 14h 25m (reversed seasons)

Twilight Types Reference

Between full daylight and true night there are three distinct twilight phases, each defined by how far the sun sits below the horizon. Understanding them helps with photography, outdoor work, astronomy, and navigation planning.

Type Description Sun Angle
Astronomical twilight Sky is dark; faintest stars visible Sun 12–18° below horizon
Nautical twilight Horizon barely visible at sea Sun 6–12° below horizon
Civil twilight Outdoor activities possible without artificial lights Sun 0–6° below horizon
Sunrise / Sunset Center of sun at the horizon 0°
Solar noon Sun at its highest point of the day 90° − latitude + declination

Golden Hour and Blue Hour

Two short windows of soft, atmospheric light flank every sunrise and sunset, and both are valued heavily in photography and videography.

  • Golden hour — The first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset. The sun's low angle means light passes through a thicker slice of atmosphere, scattering blue wavelengths and leaving warm, orange-amber tones with long, soft shadows. Subjects are lit from the side rather than overhead, adding dimension and texture. Golden-hour light is typically softer than midday sun and far more flattering for portraits, landscapes, and architectural shots.
  • Blue hour — The 20–30 minute window just after sunset (or just before sunrise) when the sun sits roughly 4–8° below the horizon. The sky turns a deep, even blue — ambient light is dim but balanced, making it ideal for cityscapes, seascapes, and any scene where you want natural sky color to complement artificial lights. Exposure times are longer than during the golden hour, so a tripod is usually required.

Use the sunrise and sunset times from the calculator above to pinpoint both windows for your location, then adjust for clouds and local terrain that may cut the light earlier than predicted.