Sunrise & Sunset Time Calculator
Calculate exact sunrise, sunset, and twilight times online for free with our sunrise & sunset time calculator. Highly accurate, private, and no signup required.
Pick a date and enter coordinates, or select a predefined global city to fetch sunrise, sunset, and twilight boundaries.
Twilight is the period of dusk or dawn when the sun is below the horizon but daylight is partially visible.
| Twilight Stage | Zenith Angle | Dusk / Morning Start | Dawn / Evening End | Activity / Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Twilight | 6.0° below horizon | 03:54:58 AM | 10:08:08 PM | Outdoor activities are fully visible without artificial light. |
| Nautical Twilight | 12.0° below horizon | 02:40:35 AM | 11:22:32 PM | Horizon lines and major stars are visible; navigation guide. |
| Astronomical Twilight | 18.0° below horizon | — | — | Sky is almost completely dark; astronomical stars fully visible. |
Why Use Our Sunrise & Sunset Time Calculator?
Precise NOAA Solar Calculations
Calculates exact times based on standard NOAA solar equations, adjusting automatically for solar declination, equations of time, and hour angles.
100% Private Client-Side Run
Calculations execute entirely in your local browser sandbox. None of your coordinates, calendar dates, or preset choices are sent to external servers.
Predefined Major Global Presets
Includes quick presets for major global hubs (London, New York, Tokyo, Sydney, Dubai, Paris, Singapore) to prefill coordinates instantly.
Detailed Twilight Boundaries
Provides calculations for civil (6°), nautical (12°), and astronomical (18°) twilights, as well as solar noon and daylight duration.
Common Use Cases for Sunrise & Sunset Calculator
Photography & Filmmaking
Plan outdoor photo shoots during the golden hour or blue hour. Know exactly when civil twilight begins and ends to capture perfect lighting.
Solar Energy Systems
Estimate daily solar collection windows. Use solar declination and day length statistics to analyze seasonal variations in sun exposure.
Maritime Navigation
Determine nautical twilight boundaries (when the horizon and stars are simultaneously visible) to support traditional stellar navigation.
Stargazing & Astronomy
Track when astronomical twilight ends to plan sky observations. Know when the sky will become completely dark for clear telescope views.
Outdoor Sports & Activities
Plan hiking trips, running routes, or golf matches. Ensure you complete outdoor activities before daylight fades at the end of civil twilight.
Aviation Flight Planning
Determine official civil twilight bounds for logging night flight hours and complying with civil aviation authority regulations.
Understanding Solar Calculations & Twilights
What is Sunrise & Sunset Calculation?
Sunrise & Sunset calculation is the process of using astronomical algorithms to determine the exact time when the sun rises above or sets below the horizon at a specific coordinate (latitude and longitude) on a given date. The calculations depend on the Earth's axial tilt (obliquity of the ecliptic) and orbital eccentricity around the sun. Standard sunrise and sunset are officially defined as the moment when the upper edge of the sun's disc is exactly aligned with the astronomical horizon (zenith angle of 90.833°). This handles atmospheric refraction, which bends light and makes the sun appear slightly higher than it physically is.
How Our Sunrise & Sunset Calculator Works
- 1. Input Coordinate Parameters: Enter your target location's latitude and longitude coordinates, or pick a predefined city preset to fill them automatically.
- 2. Choose Date & Timezone Offset: Specify your target date and timezone offset (e.g. UTC+01:00) to ensure the calculated times are displayed in your local standard time.
- 3. Analyze Twilights & Day Length: Get the output detailing exact morning and evening twilight phases (civil, nautical, astronomical), solar noon, and day length duration.
Understanding the Three Twilight Phases
- Civil Twilight (Zenith: 96°): Morning civil twilight begins when the geometric center of the sun is 6 degrees below the horizon and ends at sunrise. Evening civil twilight begins at sunset and ends when the sun reaches 6 degrees below the horizon. Outdoor activities can easily be done without artificial light.
- Nautical Twilight (Zenith: 102°): Occurs when the sun is between 6 and 12 degrees below the horizon. The horizon line is visible at sea, and bright stars can be seen, which historically allowed sailors to perform stellar navigation.
- Astronomical Twilight (Zenith: 108°): Occurs when the sun is between 12 and 18 degrees below the horizon. The sky is dark enough for most astronomical observations. When the sun goes beyond 18 degrees below the horizon, true astronomical night begins.
- Polar Day and Polar Night Edge Cases: In polar circles (latitudes above 66.5° North or South), there are periods when the sun never sets (Polar Day / Midnight Sun) or never rises (Polar Night). The calculator detects these states and displays appropriate status labels.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Sunrise & Sunset Calculator
What is a sunrise & sunset calculator?
A sunrise & sunset calculator is an online tool that uses astronomical algorithms to calculate the exact local times when the sun rises, sets, reaches solar noon, and passes through various twilight stages for any location on Earth.
What does the zenith angle mean in solar calculations?
The zenith angle is the angle between the sun and the vertical line directly overhead. Standard sunrise and sunset are calculated at a zenith of 90.833° to account for the sun's radius and atmospheric refraction.
What are the differences between civil, nautical, and astronomical twilights?
Civil twilight occurs when the sun is 0° to 6° below the horizon (good for outdoor tasks). Nautical twilight is 6° to 12° below the horizon (used for sea navigation). Astronomical twilight is 12° to 18° below the horizon (ideal for stargazing).
Does this calculator handle polar day and polar night?
Yes. For locations in polar circles, there are times when the sun stays above or below the horizon all day. The calculator identifies these cases and displays "Polar Day" or "Polar Night" instead of standard times.
Is my location coordinate data kept private?
Yes. All solar calculations are executed client-side in your web browser. No latitude, longitude, or date parameters are sent to external servers.
How do I choose the correct timezone offset?
Select the timezone offset that matches the local standard time of the target coordinates (e.g. UTC-5 for EST, UTC+1 for BST). This ensures the calculated times are displayed in local clock time.
Is this calculator completely free to use?
Yes, the calculator is 100% free with no usage limits, no signups, and no downloads required.