Sunrise/Sunset Calculator
Calculate sunrise, sunset, solar noon, civil dawn/dusk, day length, and golden hour times for any date and coordinates using the NOAA solar algorithm.
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What is Sunrise/Sunset Calculator?
The Sunrise/Sunset Calculator is a free online tool that computes sunrise, sunset, solar noon, civil dawn and dusk, day length, and golden hour estimates for any date and any location on Earth. It runs the NOAA solar position algorithm entirely in your browser, so it works offline and your coordinates never leave your device.
Key Benefits
- Plan photography around golden hour and blue hour windows.
- Check daylight hours for travel, outdoor work, or event planning.
- Works offline with no API calls or location tracking.
- Handles any past or future date, not just today.
Common Use Cases
- •Scheduling an outdoor photo shoot for warm side lighting.
- •Checking sunrise time for a morning run or hike while traveling.
- •Comparing day length between seasons for solar panel planning.
- •Finding sunset times for outdoor events and weddings.
How to Use the Sunrise/Sunset Calculator
- Pick a date: Choose the date you want sun times for - today is filled in by default, and any past or future date works.
- Enter coordinates: Type your latitude and longitude, or click a quick city preset like Bangkok, Tokyo, or New York.
- Set the timezone: Enter the UTC offset in minutes, or click "Use my timezone" to apply your device timezone automatically.
- Read the results: Press Calculate to see dawn, sunrise, golden hours, solar noon, sunset, dusk, and total day length, then copy any value you need.
Key Features
- Sunrise, sunset, and solar noon computed from latitude and longitude
- Civil dawn and dusk (twilight) times plus morning and evening golden hour estimates
- Works for any date and any UTC offset, with quick city presets
- Day length totals and polar day / polar night detection
- One-click copy of individual times or the full results summary
- Runs entirely in-browser with no API calls or location tracking
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate are the calculated sun times?
The calculator uses the NOAA solar position algorithm, which is accurate to within about 1-2 minutes for most locations. Refraction near the horizon, elevation, and local terrain can shift actual observed times slightly.
What are golden hour and blue hour?
Golden hour is the period shortly after sunrise and before sunset when sunlight is warm and soft - roughly the first and last hour of daylight. Blue hour is the twilight window just before sunrise and after sunset when the sky turns deep blue. This tool estimates the golden hour windows around sunrise and sunset.
Why do I need to enter a UTC offset?
The solar math computes times in UTC. The UTC offset converts them to your local clock time. Click "Use my timezone" to apply your device timezone automatically, or use a city preset which fills the offset for you.
What happens for polar locations?
Above the Arctic Circle and below the Antarctic Circle the sun may never rise or never set on a given date. The calculator detects this and reports a polar day / polar night result instead of sunrise and sunset times.