Are the times shown in local time or UTC?

All times are displayed in your browser's local time zone. The underlying calculation uses UTC and then converts to your local time.

How accurate are the results?

The NOAA algorithm used here is accurate to within a minute for most locations. Atmospheric refraction and elevation are not accounted for, which can shift times by a minute or two at sea level.

Is my location sent to a server?

No. If you use the geolocation button, the coordinates come from your browser's GPS/network API and are only used locally in JavaScript. Nothing is sent to any server.

Golden hour is the period shortly after sunrise and before sunset when the Sun is low in the sky, producing warm, soft and diffused light. It is the most sought-after time for photography and filmmaking.

What is the difference between civil, nautical and astronomical twilight?

Civil twilight (Sun at −6°) is bright enough for outdoor work without artificial light. Nautical twilight (−12°) allows horizon visibility at sea. Astronomical twilight (−18°) is when the sky is dark enough for most astronomical observations.

Why does sunrise come before civil dawn?

Civil dawn is the moment the Sun reaches −6° below the horizon — before it actually rises. Usable daylight begins at civil dawn. Sunrise is when the upper edge of the Sun appears at the horizon, which is later than civil dawn.

🌅

Sunrise & Sunset Calculator

Get accurate sunrise, sunset, solar noon and day length for any location and date. Uses browser geolocation or enter coordinates manually. Free, no uploads.

🕐 Time & Date Tools Free Browser-based

Tool

Date

Latitude

Longitude

🌅

Sunrise

—

☀️

Solar Noon

—

🌇

Sunset

—

Day Length

—

Golden Hour (Morning)

—

Civil Dawn

—

Civil Dusk

—

Golden Hour (Evening)

—

Coordinates

—

How Sunrise & Sunset Times Are Calculated

This tool uses the NOAA solar position algorithm (based on astronomical equations) to compute the Sun's position for any latitude, longitude and date. It calculates when the Sun's upper limb reaches −0.833° (sunrise/sunset standard refraction), −6° (civil twilight), and ±1° above the horizon (golden hour).

Solar Events Reference

Event	Sun Angle	Description
Astronomical Dawn/Dusk	−18°	First/last hint of light
Nautical Dawn/Dusk	−12°	Horizon visible at sea
Civil Dawn/Dusk	−6°	Enough light for outdoor work
Sunrise/Sunset	−0.833°	Upper limb of Sun at horizon
Golden Hour	0° – 6°	Warm, soft photography light
Solar Noon	Max altitude	Sun at highest point

Polar Regions

At high latitudes, the Sun may not rise at all (polar night) or may not set (midnight sun). In these cases the tool will display a message rather than times.

Practical Uses for Sunrise & Sunset Times

Photography and filmmaking — plan outdoor shoots around golden hour and blue hour for the best natural light. Golden hour begins at sunrise and ends roughly 1 hour after; blue hour occurs when the Sun is 4–8° below the horizon.
Gardening and agriculture — calculate daily sunlight hours for planting decisions, especially for crops or plants with minimum light requirements.
Religious observance — many faiths tie prayers, fasting periods (e.g. Ramadan) and ceremonies to precise sunrise and sunset times.
Solar energy planning — estimate peak generation hours for solar panel output calculations.
Outdoor activities — plan hikes, trail runs or cycling routes to avoid being out after dark.
Wildlife observation — many animals are most active at dawn and dusk; knowing exact times helps plan observation sessions.

Why Sunrise Times Change Throughout the Year

The Earth's axial tilt (23.5°) means the Sun rises at a different azimuth (compass direction) and at a different time each day of the year. In the Northern Hemisphere, days are shortest around the winter solstice (December 21) and longest around the summer solstice (June 21). At the equator, day length is close to 12 hours year-round. The further from the equator you are, the more dramatic the seasonal variation in sunrise and sunset times.