Sunrise Sunset Calculator

About Sunrise Sunset Calculator

This free online sunrise sunset calculator helps you find exact sun times for any location and date. Get sunrise, sunset, solar noon times, day length, and twilight times. All calculations use accurate astronomical algorithms.

How accurate is this sunrise sunset calculator?

This calculator uses astronomical algorithms to provide highly accurate results. Calculations account for: Earth's elliptical orbit, Solar declination and position, Atmospheric refraction effects, Your exact coordinates and date. Accuracy is typically within 1-2 minutes of actual observed times.

What do I need to calculate sunrise and sunset?

You need three pieces of information: Date - Which day you want to know. Latitude - Your north/south position (-90 to 90). Longitude - Your east/west position (-180 to 180). Timezone - Automatically detected or manual selection. You can use the 'Use Current Location' button to automatically fill coordinates if you allow browser location access.

What is solar noon?

Solar noon (also called midday) is when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky for that day at your location. This is NOT necessarily 12:00 PM clock time because: Time zones cover wide areas, Daylight saving time shifts the clock, The sun's movement is not perfectly regular. Solar noon is the exact middle point between sunrise and sunset.

What are the different twilight times?

There are three types of twilight: Civil Twilight - Sun is 0° to 6° below horizon. Sufficient light for outdoor activities without artificial lighting. Good time for photography (golden hour). Nautical Twilight - Sun is 6° to 12° below horizon. Horizon barely visible at sea. Astronomical Twilight - Sun is 12° to 18° below horizon. Sky dark enough for astronomical observations. Beyond 18° below horizon is true night.

Why does day length change throughout the year?

Day length varies due to Earth's axial tilt (23.5 degrees): Summer (your hemisphere) - Longer days, sun higher in sky. Winter (your hemisphere) - Shorter days, sun lower in sky. Spring/Fall Equinoxes - Day and night approximately equal (12 hours each). Summer/Winter Solstices - Longest/shortest days of the year. The equator has fairly consistent 12-hour days year-round. Polar regions experience extreme variations including midnight sun and polar night.

How do I find my latitude and longitude?

Several ways to find coordinates: Click 'Use Current Location' button (requires permission). Search your city on Google Maps, right-click location, select coordinates. Use GPS on your smartphone. Major cities (examples): New York: 40.7128° N, -74.0060° W. London: 51.5074° N, -0.1278° W. Tokyo: 35.6762° N, 139.6503° E. Sydney: -33.8688° S, 151.2093° E.

What affects sunrise and sunset times?

Several factors influence sun times: Latitude - Higher latitudes have more variation. Season - Summer/winter cause dramatic differences. Altitude - Higher elevations see sun earlier/later. Atmospheric Conditions - Humidity and temperature affect refraction. Horizon Obstructions - Mountains can block the view. This calculator accounts for standard atmospheric refraction but assumes a clear horizon view.

Why are sunrise/sunset times different from weather apps?

Small differences (1-2 minutes) are normal due to: Different calculation methods, Rounding differences, Timezone interpretation, Local elevation not accounted for, Weather apps often round to nearest minute. Our calculator uses standard astronomical algorithms. For practical purposes, differences under 2 minutes are negligible.

Can the sun never rise or set?

Yes, at extreme latitudes: Polar Day (Midnight Sun) - In summer near poles, sun doesn't set for days/weeks/months. The sun circles the sky 24 hours. Polar Night - In winter near poles, sun doesn't rise for days/weeks/months. Continuous twilight or darkness. Arctic Circle (66.5°N) and Antarctic Circle (66.5°S) mark where this starts. The calculator will show '--:--' for sunrise/sunset when this occurs.

What is the best time for photography?

Golden Hour - Just after sunrise and just before sunset. Warm, soft light, long shadows. Blue Hour - Civil twilight period. Cool blue tones, great for cityscapes. Solar Noon - Harsh overhead light, usually avoided. Twilight - Atmospheric photos with color gradients. Use the twilight times in this calculator to plan photography sessions.

How do timezones affect sun times?

Timezones convert solar time to local clock time: The sun rises/sets at the same solar time regardless of timezone. Time zones shift clock time by whole hours (usually). Daylight Saving Time further shifts the clock. Example: NYC (UTC-5) and LA (UTC-8) see sunrise at same solar moment but 3 hours different on clock. Use 'Auto Detect' for automatic timezone based on your system.

Is this calculator useful for solar panel installation?

Yes! This calculator helps with solar planning: Day length shows daily sun exposure potential. Solar noon indicates peak sun position. Seasonal variations help predict winter/summer output. Combine this data with: Local weather patterns, Roof angle and orientation, Shading analysis. For detailed solar analysis, consider professional solar calculators.

What exact clock windows does the golden hour and blue hour give?

This tool outputs both morning and evening windows directly from the sun's altitude angle. Golden Hour (Morning) runs from sunrise (sun at -0.833°, the standard refraction zenith) up to when the sun reaches +6° above the horizon; Golden Hour (Evening) runs from +6° back down to sunset. Blue Hour falls inside civil twilight: morning is sun -6° to -4° (before sunrise), evening is sun -4° to -6° (after sunset). Golden hour gives warm, low-angle light for portraits, real estate and drone work; blue hour gives cool, even tones ideal for cityscapes and architecture. At high latitudes near a solstice these windows can be very long or show '--:--' when the required angle is never reached.

What is the -0.833° refraction zenith and how accurate is the algorithm?

Sunrise and sunset are defined as the moment the sun's upper limb touches the horizon. The -0.833° value combines the sun's average angular radius (about 0.267°) with standard atmospheric refraction (about 0.567°) at sea level, the same convention used by the USNO and NOAA. This tool implements the NOAA sunrise-equation (solar mean anomaly, equation of center, declination and hour angle), accurate to within roughly 1-2 minutes for a flat, unobstructed horizon at sea level. Higher elevation makes sunrise earlier and sunset later (about 1 minute per 1.5 km of clear view to the horizon), and mountains or buildings on the horizon shift the observed times further.