How accurate are the sunrise and sunset times?

Our calculator uses the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) algorithm, which is accurate to within ±1 minute. The calculation accounts for atmospheric refraction, the Earth's orbit eccentricity, and your exact geographic coordinates.

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

Civil twilight occurs when the sun is 6° below the horizon (enough light for outdoor activities), nautical twilight at 12° below (navigational stars become visible), and astronomical twilight at 18° below (darkest sky for astronomy). Each stage marks different lighting conditions.

What is golden hour and why does it matter?

Golden hour occurs when the sun is between 0° and 6° above the horizon, providing warm, soft, flattering light ideal for photography and videography. Morning golden hour is right after sunrise, and evening golden hour is right before sunset.

Why do day lengths change throughout the year?

Day length changes due to Earth's 23.5° axial tilt. During summer in your hemisphere, your location tilts toward the sun (longer days), and in winter it tilts away (shorter days). The effect is more dramatic at higher latitudes.

Can I export the sunrise/sunset forecast?

Yes! You can export as PDF (using browser print), CSV file (opens in Excel/Sheets), or add golden hour photography reminders directly to your calendar (Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, Outlook). Choose your preferred format from the export buttons.

What happens in polar regions with midnight sun or polar night?

In polar regions during summer, the calculator shows 'No sunset' for midnight sun (24-hour daylight). During winter, it shows 'No sunrise' for polar night (24-hour darkness). Twilight calculations are also adjusted for these extreme conditions.

How do I use this for photography planning?

Click 'Add Photography Reminders' to add golden hour times to your calendar with 15-minute advance alerts. You can also view multi-day forecasts (7/15/30 days) to plan photo shoots in advance and export the schedule as CSV.

Does the calculator account for my timezone?

Yes! All times are automatically shown in the selected city's local timezone. The calculator uses the timezone database to ensure accurate local times, including DST (Daylight Saving Time) adjustments when applicable.

Can I see sunrise/sunset times for future dates?

Absolutely! Use the date picker to select any future (or past) date. You can also click 'Today' or 'Tomorrow' for quick access, or use the 7/15/30-day forecast buttons to see trends over time.

How do I share sunrise/sunset times with others?

Click 'Share this URL' to copy a direct link that includes your selected location and date. Anyone opening the link will see the exact same sunrise, sunset, and twilight data you're viewing.

Sunrise & Sunset Time

Calculate solar events, twilight times, and golden hour for any location worldwide. Get precise sunrise, sunset, and civil, nautical, and astronomical twilight data.

Location

Date

Current Time in

Live

New York, United States

--:--:--

EDT

Sunrise

05:42:48

Solar Noon

12:52:24

Sunset

20:02:01

Day Progress

14h 19m 0s

Sunrise71% completeSunset

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Use Our Sunrise/Sunset Calculator?

NOAA Accuracy

Same algorithms used by the U.S. Naval Observatory, accurate to ±1 minute.

Complete Data

Sunrise, sunset, twilight phases, golden hour, blue hour, and more.

Any Date

View times for any past or future date.

Global Coverage

Accurate times for any location on Earth with DST support.

How to Use the Sunrise & Sunset Calculator

Get accurate solar data for any location on Earth. Our calculator provides more than just basic rise and set times—it's a comprehensive tool for photographers, outdoor enthusiasts, and researchers.

1. Find Your Location

Search our global database of over 400 cities. For specific precision, the tool automatically uses exact coordinates to calculate times based on your local horizon.

2. Select Any Date

Plan for the future or look up historical data. Use the date picker to see how daylight hours change throughout the seasons at your chosen location.

3. Analyze Solar Noon

Discover when the sun is at its highest point in the sky. This is crucial for understanding the most intense period of daylight and for solar energy planning.

4. Track Day Progress

The real-time progress bar shows exactly how much daylight has passed and how much is remaining, helping you make the most of your day.

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Understanding Sunrise and Sunset Times

Sunrise and sunset times vary based on your location and the time of year. Our calculator uses the NOAA solar calculations algorithm to provide accurate predictions for any location on Earth.

Types of Twilight

Civil Twilight - Enough light for outdoor activities without artificial lighting.
Nautical Twilight - Horizon still visible for maritime navigation.
Astronomical Twilight - Sky dark enough for astronomical observations.

Practical Uses

Photographers use golden hour times for optimal lighting. Outdoor enthusiasts plan activities around daylight hours. Religious observers use precise sunset times for prayers and observances.

Photographer's Golden Hour Guide

Golden hour is a photographer's favorite window — the soft, warm light that occurs roughly an hour after sunrise and an hour before sunset. Use the calculator above to plan a shoot with precision.

Morning Golden Hour

Begins at sunrise and lasts roughly 60 minutes. The light is cool to warm with low contrast, ideal for portraits and dewy landscape detail. Plan to arrive 30 minutes before sunrise to scout the scene during blue hour.

Evening Golden Hour

Starts about 60 minutes before sunset and ends at sunset. The light shifts from warm yellow to deep orange as the sun drops, perfect for backlit silhouettes, cityscapes, and flattering portrait light.

Blue Hour Bonus

Just before morning golden hour and just after evening golden hour, the sky takes on a deep blue tone. The calculator marks blue hour times alongside golden hour so you can plan back-to-back shoots in a single outing.

Pro Tips

Check the weather the day before — clear skies amplify warm golden tones, while light cloud cover diffuses the light beautifully.
Arrive 15-20 minutes early to set up tripods, dial in exposure, and find the best composition before the light peaks.
For seasonal planning, the calendar view shows golden hour times for the next 30 days so you can pre-book locations that depend on direction (east-facing for sunrise, west-facing for sunset).

Sunrise & Sunset Times for Any Location

Find accurate sunrise and sunset times today for any city in the world. Our solar calculator uses precise astronomical algorithms to compute the exact moment the sun rises and sets at your location, along with solar noon, golden hour, civil twilight, nautical twilight, and total daylight duration.

Simply search for your city to see today's sunrise today and sunset today times, plus a full monthly calendar so you can plan ahead. The data updates daily and accounts for your city's exact latitude and longitude — no estimates, just accurate solar calculations. Times are shown in your local time zone with DST applied automatically.

Sunrise sunset time data is essential for photographers chasing the golden hour, outdoor planners, farmers, fishermen, hikers, and anyone whose schedule is driven by daylight. common.prayerTimes · World Clock

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