☀️ Sun Position, Sunrise & Sunset Times, Sun Direction

About This Sun Path Calculator

This tool calculates sunrise, sunset, solar noon, day length and sun direction for any location on Earth, using precise astronomical formulas (SunCalc). It's useful for anyone who wants to know what time the sun rises or sets tonight, as well as photographers chasing golden hour and campers planning tent orientation.

• Know exactly what time the sun rises and sets, and which direction to look
• Plan golden hour and blue hour photography sessions
• Choose a campsite orientation that avoids harsh afternoon sun or maximizes warmth
• Plan awning/tent shade coverage throughout the day

How accurate is it?

Sunrise/sunset times are typically accurate to within 2 minutes; azimuth (direction) is accurate to one decimal degree. This calculator uses the SunCalc.js library based on standard astronomical formulas, accounting for latitude/longitude, date and time, Earth's rotation and orbit, and atmospheric refraction.

Calculation method & accuracy, in more detail

Every sunrise/sunset time, azimuth and elevation figure on this page is computed live by SunCalc.js, an open-source astronomy library built on standard solar-position formulas — not a simplified in-house approximation.

Displayed times switch time zone automatically depending on how you set your location: GPS uses your device's time zone, while picking a city uses that city's time zone. That keeps the times correct for the place you're checking, even if you're browsing from somewhere else.

As noted above, error is typically under 2 minutes, though the sunrise or sunset you actually see can shift slightly due to terrain, cloud cover and atmospheric refraction. For an independent check, you can cross-reference results against NOAA's Solar Calculator, which uses closely related astronomical formulas — the two should line up closely.

Golden hour vs blue hour — what's the difference?

Golden hour is the roughly 50 minutes after sunrise and before sunset when the sun sits low in the sky, casting warm, soft light — ideal for portraits and landscapes. Blue hour is the shorter window (about 20–40 minutes) right before sunrise and after sunset, when the sky glows a deep blue — favored for skylines and cityscapes.

How to use this calculator

1. Set location: Tap "Use my location" for GPS, or pick a city, or enter coordinates manually
2. Choose a date: Pick today, tomorrow, or any date you're planning for
3. Read the results: Sunrise, sunset, solar noon, day length, and sun direction update instantly
4. Camping/photography reference: Check seasonal comparison, shade simulation, or the full photography timeline
5. Share or export: Copy a summary to share, or export a PDF report

Camping site orientation tips

• Summer: Choose a northeast or north-facing site to avoid harsh afternoon sun (hottest 2–5 PM)
• Winter: Choose a south-facing site to maximize sunlight and warmth
• Spring/Autumn: A southeast-facing site balances sun and shade
• Photography: Use the sunrise/sunset direction to plan your shooting position in advance

FAQ

Q: My GPS location seems inaccurate — what should I do?

A: You can enter coordinates manually, or pick from the popular cities list. You can also find precise coordinates on Google Maps by long-pressing a location.

Q: Are the results accurate?

A: This calculator uses standard astronomical formulas; sunrise/sunset time error is typically under 2 minutes. Actual visible sunrise/sunset may vary due to weather or terrain.

Q: Why does altitude matter?

A: Higher altitude means an earlier sunrise and a later sunset, though the effect is small for most everyday elevations.

Q: Are the times shown in my local time zone?

Yes — for GPS location, times use your device's time zone; for a picked city, times use that city's time zone, so they're correct even if you're browsing from somewhere else.

Q: Does the sun always rise due east?

A: No — the sun rises exactly due east (and sets due west) only around the March and September equinoxes. In the days around the summer solstice, sunrise shifts toward the northeast; around the winter solstice, it shifts toward the southeast. That shift grows with latitude, so higher-latitude locations see a much bigger swing than places near the equator.

Q: Why do sunrise and sunset times change every day?

A: Two things are at work: Earth's axial tilt of about 23.44°, which drives the seasons and the changing length of day and night, and the fact that Earth's orbit isn't a perfect circle, which makes the sun's apparent speed across the sky vary slightly through the year. Together, these effects (known as the "equation of time") can push solar noon more than 15 minutes away from clock noon, and keep nudging sunrise/sunset times day by day.

Q: How long does golden hour actually last?

A: There's no fixed length — it depends on latitude and season. Near the equator, the sun rises and sets at a steep angle, so golden hour tends to be shorter. At higher latitudes, the sun moves across the sky at a much shallower angle, stretching golden hour out — near the Arctic or Antarctic Circle in summer it can last for hours, since the sun barely climbs above the horizon. The most accurate answer for any given day is the window shown on this page.

Q: What is solar noon, and why isn't it 12:00 on the clock?

A: Solar noon is the moment the sun reaches its highest point for the day, crossing your local meridian — that's when a vertical object casts its shortest shadow, pointing due north or south. It almost never lines up with 12:00 on the clock, because of where you sit within your time zone (locations further east in the same zone reach solar noon earlier), daylight saving time, and the equation of time described above.

Q: How does the sun's path differ between summer and winter?

A: In summer the sun arcs higher across the sky and days are longer; in winter the arc is lower and days are shorter, with the sun sometimes barely climbing above the horizon at midday. This matters for camping, photography and solar panels alike — a northeast or north-facing campsite avoids harsh afternoon summer sun, while a south-facing site captures more warmth in winter.

Q: Can I use this to plan solar panel orientation or check how much sun my house gets?

A: It's a solid starting point. The azimuth and elevation data on this page show the sun's path for a specific date and location; in the Northern Hemisphere, solar panels generally face south to capture the most daylight. For a final decision, pair this with a proper solar-access study or an on-site check for shading from trees and buildings. Planning time outdoors too? Check the sunscreen duration calculator.

Curious about time from a different angle? Our Life in Weeks calculator visualizes your whole life one week at a time.

📸 Complete Guide to Photography Golden Light Times

This calculator provides a professional photography schedule to help you capture the most beautiful light. Here are detailed explanations of each time period:

🌌 Astronomical Twilight

Time Characteristics: The sun is between 12-18 degrees below the horizon, marking the end of the darkest period of night.

Best for Shooting: Milky Way, star trails, starry skies, deep sky objects. This is the last golden period for photographing the Milky Way - the sky is still dark enough, but faint morning light is about to appear.

Shooting Tips: Use fast aperture lenses (f/1.4-f/2.8), high ISO (1600-6400), long exposure (15-30 seconds), tripod and shutter release required. Recommended to pack up astrophotography gear before this period ends.

🌊 Nautical Twilight

Time Characteristics: The sun is between 6-12 degrees below the horizon, as the sky transitions from deep black to deep blue.

Best for Shooting: The beginning of "Blue Hour" - the sky shows deep blue tones, and the horizon becomes visible. Perfect timing for capturing blue skies with foreground buildings and mountain silhouettes.

Shooting Tips: Use medium ISO (400-1600), appropriate exposure time (1-10 seconds) to capture the contrast between the deep blue sky and faint ground light.

💙 Blue Hour

Time Characteristics: From nautical twilight to civil twilight (morning) and from civil twilight end to nautical twilight end (evening), the sky presents a dreamy deep blue-purple color.

Best for Shooting: Cityscapes, buildings, lake reflections, campsite panoramas. The blue sky perfectly contrasts with ground artificial lights (streetlights, campfires) - one of the most popular photography periods.

Shooting Tips: Use tripod, medium-small aperture (f/8-f/11), ISO 400-800, exposure time 2-15 seconds. Can use bracketing for better dynamic range. Blue Hour lasts about 30-40 minutes both morning and evening.

🌄 Civil Twilight

Time Characteristics: The sun is between 0-6 degrees below the horizon, the sky is quite bright and surroundings are clearly visible.

Best for Shooting: Silhouette photography - people, trees, tents. This is the best time for clear silhouettes because the background sky is bright enough but the sun hasn't risen yet.

Shooting Tips: Meter for the sky to underexpose foreground creating silhouettes. Use small aperture (f/11-f/16) for sharper outlines and greater depth of field.

✨ Golden Hour

Time Characteristics: Within about 50 minutes after sunrise (morning) and before sunset (evening), sun altitude below 6 degrees, sunlight presents warm golden color.

Best for Shooting: Portrait photography, landscape photography, campsite scenes, natural light photography. Photographers' favorite period - soft, warm light, shadows aren't too harsh, photos have cinematic quality.

Shooting Tips: Can use lower ISO (100-400), normal exposure. For portraits, position subject with back to sun for "rim light" effect, or use reflector for fill light. Golden Hour is easiest time to take great photos, even beginners can get good results.

🌅 Sunrise/Sunset

Time Characteristics: The moment when the sun is exactly at the horizon.

Best for Shooting: Iconic sunrise/sunset photos, the sun itself, clouds. While this is the most iconic moment, it's actually not when light is most beautiful.

Shooting Tips: Use small aperture (f/16-f/22) for "starburst" effect, use graduated ND filter to balance sky and ground exposure. Recommend main shooting during Golden Hour before/after sunrise/sunset.

⏰ Complete Photography Timeline (Example: Sunrise at 06:15)

• 04:38 - Astronomical Twilight: Last chance for Milky Way, prepare to pack astrophotography gear
• 05:10 - Nautical Twilight: Sky starts turning blue, Blue Hour about to begin
• 05:15～05:55 - Blue Hour (Morning): Deep blue-purple sky, shoot campsite panoramas
• 05:42 - Civil Twilight: Best time for silhouette photography
• 05:58～06:48 - Golden Hour (Morning): Warm soft light, shoot camp life and portraits
• 06:15 - Sunrise: The sun rises
• 17:15～18:05 - Golden Hour (Evening): Evening magic light, best shooting time
• 17:42 - Sunset: The sun sets
• 18:08～18:45 - Blue Hour (Evening): Dreamy blue-purple sky

📅 Google Calendar Integration Feature

This calculator provides unique Google Calendar integration. You can:

• Selective Adding: Choose the photography moments you need, add one event at a time
• Precise Times: Each event includes correct start time and duration
• Auto Reminders: Set reminders after adding to calendar, never miss any shooting opportunity
• GPS Coordinates: Each event includes shooting location GPS coordinates for easy navigation

💡 Tip: Beginners can choose "Golden Hour" or "Blue Hour" - these periods are easiest for taking great photos. Advanced photographers can select as needed to master the complete light changes from starry sky to sunrise.

⛱️ Awning Shadow Simulation & 3D Preview

This calculator offers industry-first awning shadow simulation with real-time 3D preview, allowing you to plan your awning setup precisely before departure:

🎬 Real-time 3D Awning Preview

Built with Three.js technology, interactive 3D scene that allows you to:

• 360° Rotation: Drag with mouse to rotate, inspect awning and shadows from any angle
• Zoom Function: Use scroll wheel to zoom in/out, examine details
• Multi-time Shadow Visualization: Display shadows for 5 time periods (8:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00) simultaneously, marked with different colors
• Sun Path Markers: 3D scene shows sun positions and time labels for 8:00, 12:00, 16:00, clearly understanding light source
• Fullscreen Mode: Click fullscreen button for larger viewing area of 3D scene

🏗️ Independent Pole Height Control (A-frame Awning)

Supports the most common A-frame awning structure, set left, center, and right pole heights separately:

• Left Pole Height: 120cm - 300cm (30cm intervals)
• Center Pole Height: 210cm - 300cm (30cm intervals)
• Right Pole Height: 120cm - 300cm (30cm intervals)
• Asymmetric Setup: Set one side high and one side low, e.g., left 150cm, center 240cm, right 180cm, creating sloped shading effect
• Real-time 3D Updates: Adjust any pole height, 3D preview updates immediately, visualizing awning shape and shadow changes

🤖 AI Auto-Recommendation Features

This calculator has built-in intelligent algorithms for automatic best setup analysis:

Auto-Recommend Best Height

AI algorithm tests 196 pole height combinations (4 center × 7 left × 7 right poles), automatically finding best combination based on all-day coverage (8:00-17:00). Noon period (11:00-14:00) weighted 2x as it's when shade is most needed.

Auto-Recommend Best Orientation

Algorithm tests 24 orientations (every 15°, 0°-345°), calculates all-day average coverage for each orientation, automatically recommends orientation with best shading effect. One-click apply suggestion, no manual trial needed.

📊 Precise Shadow Analysis

Calculation results include complete shading data:

• Time-period Coverage: Shows coverage percentage for each period from 8:00-17:00
• Average Coverage: Calculates all-day average shading effectiveness
• Maximum Shadow Length: Shows how far shadow extends, helping plan activity space
• Usable Space Calculation: Calculates available shaded area directly under awning (square meters)
• Suggestions & Optimization: Intelligently compares current setup with best setup, provides improvement suggestions

💡 Practical Application Scenarios

• Summer Camping: Set awning orientation to avoid afternoon western sun (recommend northeast or north facing)
• Family Camping: Optimize pole heights to ensure dining and rest areas have sufficient shade
• Photography Shoots: Understand shadow positions at different times, plan equipment placement and subject positioning
• Group Activities: Calculate available shaded area, confirm how many people can be accommodated
• Awning Shopping: Input different sizes (3×4m, 4×5m, etc.), compare shading effectiveness, choose most suitable awning size