Sunrise and Sunset Times
Find sunrise, sunset, golden hour and moon times for any US location. See the sun's direction on the map.
Enter a ZIP code, use your location, or click the map to find sunrise and sunset times, golden hour windows for photography, day length, compass bearings showing the sun's direction, and moon phase data. All calculations are done in your browser using your chosen date and location — no data is sent to any server. The sun's direction is drawn on the map so you can see exactly where it rises and sets relative to buildings and landscape.
How to Find Sunrise and Sunset Times for Your Location
Our sunrise and sunset calculator makes it easy to find accurate sun times for any location in the United States. Simply enter a ZIP code, use your current location, or click anywhere on the map. The tool instantly calculates sunrise, sunset, dawn, dusk, golden hour windows, day length, and solar noon for your chosen date.
What makes this tool different from simple text-based calculators is the interactive map. It shows the exact compass direction of sunrise and sunset as lines on the map, so you can see at a glance which direction the sun rises and sets relative to buildings, hills, and landmarks. Use the date picker to see how the sun's position changes throughout the year.
Understanding Golden Hour for Photography
Golden hour is the short window of time just after sunrise and just before sunset when the sun sits low on the horizon. The light travels through more atmosphere, scattering blue wavelengths and producing warm, golden tones with soft shadows. This creates the most flattering natural light for photography, film, and outdoor portraits.
The duration of golden hour varies by location and time of year. During summer in the northern United States, golden hour can last over an hour because the sun rises and sets at a shallow angle. In winter, the sun moves more steeply and golden hour is shorter. Our calculator shows the exact golden hour window for both morning and evening, so you can plan your shoots with confidence.
For landscape photographers, the compass bearing shown on the map is invaluable. Knowing exactly where the sun will rise or set lets you scout locations in advance and position yourself for the perfect shot. Change the date to plan ahead for important shoots.
Why Sunrise and Sunset Direction Matters
Knowing the direction of sunrise and sunset has practical applications beyond photography. Homebuyers can check which rooms get morning or afternoon sun. Gardeners can plan plantings based on how much direct sunlight an area receives. Solar panel installers use sun path data to optimize panel placement and estimate energy production.
Check which rooms get morning or afternoon sun before touring a property.
Know how much direct sunlight your garden gets for planting and landscaping.
Assess the sun's path across your roof to estimate solar panel potential.
Plan outdoor shoots by knowing exactly where and when the best light will be.
Daylight Hours Across the United States
The length of a day varies dramatically across the United States depending on latitude and time of year. On the summer solstice (around June 21), Miami gets about 13 hours and 45 minutes of daylight, while Seattle gets over 16 hours. On the winter solstice (around December 21), Miami still enjoys about 10 hours and 32 minutes, while Seattle drops to just 8 hours and 25 minutes. Alaska sees the most extreme variation, with nearly 24 hours of daylight in midsummer and very short days in winter.
The equinoxes in March and September mark the points where day and night are roughly equal in length (about 12 hours each). Our day length calculator shows the exact hours and minutes of daylight for any date and location, helping you plan outdoor activities, understand seasonal lighting changes, or compare daylight hours between cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is sunrise and sunset today?
Sunrise and sunset times depend on where you are and the time of year. Across the continental US, sunrise typically ranges from about 5:00 AM in midsummer to around 7:30 AM in midwinter. Sunset ranges from about 4:30 PM in winter to 8:30 PM or later in summer. Enter your ZIP code above for the exact times for your location today.
What is golden hour and when does it start?
Golden hour is the period shortly after sunrise and before sunset when the sun is low in the sky, producing warm, soft light. Morning golden hour runs from sunrise until roughly an hour after. Evening golden hour starts roughly an hour before sunset. The exact times depend on your location and date.
Why do sunrise and sunset times change throughout the year?
The Earth's axis is tilted at about 23.5 degrees. During summer, the Northern Hemisphere tilts towards the Sun, giving longer days. In winter, it tilts away, giving shorter days. This effect is more pronounced further north, which is why Alaska sees much bigger seasonal differences than states closer to the equator like Florida or Hawaii.
What is civil twilight?
Civil twilight is the period when the sun is between 0° and 6° below the horizon. Dawn occurs before sunrise and dusk occurs after sunset. During civil twilight there is enough natural light for most outdoor activities without artificial lighting.
How accurate are these sunrise and sunset calculations?
The calculations use the SunCalc library, which implements standard astronomical algorithms. Times are typically accurate to within 1-2 minutes. However, local terrain (mountains, buildings) can affect when you actually see the sun appear or disappear at the horizon. All times are displayed in the correct local timezone for the selected location.
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