Calculate approximate sunrise and sunset times based on your latitude and the day of the year. This uses a simplified solar position algorithm to estimate civil sunrise and sunset. Results are approximate and do not account for altitude, refraction corrections, or local terrain.
Sunrise and sunset times vary significantly throughout the year and across latitudes, governed by Earth's 23.44° axial tilt and orbital motion around the sun. The relationship is complex: at the equator, day length stays close to 12 hours year-round; at higher latitudes, day length varies dramatically — Stockholm experiences 18+ hour days in summer and 6-hour days in winter; Anchorage has 19+ hour summer days and 5-hour winter days; the Arctic Circle (66.5°N) and beyond experience 24-hour sunlight in summer and 24-hour darkness in winter.
Understanding sunrise/sunset times matters for many activities: photography (golden hour timing), outdoor sports planning, gardening (plant light requirements), travel itinerary, astronomical observation, religious observance (Islamic prayer times, Jewish Sabbath, etc.), business operations (lighting needs, energy use). Solar calculations also drive renewable energy planning, airport runway lighting decisions, and broadcast scheduling in some markets.
This calculator provides approximate sunrise and sunset times based on latitude, day of year, and UTC offset. Use it for: general daylight planning, understanding seasonal patterns at different latitudes, photography planning (golden hour timing), travel preparation, or astronomy/sky watching planning. Important context: this is a simplified calculation accurate within ~10-15 minutes. For precise times (within 1-2 minutes), use astronomical APIs like sunrise-sunset.org or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) solar calculator, which account for atmospheric refraction, elevation above sea level, and exact longitude. Most weather apps display precise local sunrise/sunset times. For solar panel installation, gardening, or scientific purposes, use the more precise tools.
Latitude 40.7°N. Day 172 (June 21). UTC offset -5 (EST). Approximate sunrise: 5:25 AM EST (with DST: 6:25 AM EDT) Approximate sunset: 8:31 PM EST (with DST: 9:31 PM EDT) Day length: 15h 06m Long summer day. Late evening light extending past 9 PM (with DST) makes summer activities expansive. Photography golden hours: Morning: ~6:25-7:25 AM EDT Evening: ~8:30-9:30 PM EDT For tourism: famous "sunset cruises" along Hudson River around 9:30 PM EDT in late June.
Latitude 61.2°N. Day 355 (December 21). UTC offset -9 (AKST). Approximate sunrise: 10:14 AM AKST Approximate sunset: 3:42 PM AKST Day length: 5h 28m Very short winter day. Almost no daylight; sun rises late, sets early, never reaches very high angle. Mental health impact: sustained low daylight contributes to seasonal affective disorder (SAD) common at high latitudes. Light therapy lamps widely used. Cultural adaptation: Northern communities embrace winter activities (skiing, festivals) during dark months. Summer solstice celebrations (longest day) major events. Same location at summer solstice (June 21): Sunrise: ~4:21 AM AKDT Sunset: ~11:42 PM AKDT Day length: 19h 21m Dramatic seasonal variation typical of subarctic latitudes.
Quito, Ecuador. Latitude 0.2°S (essentially equator). Day 172 (summer solstice Northern Hemisphere): Sunrise: ~6:09 AM Sunset: ~6:21 PM Day length: 12h 12m Day 355 (winter solstice Northern Hemisphere): Sunrise: ~6:07 AM Sunset: ~6:13 PM Day length: 12h 06m Day 80 (March equinox): Sunrise: ~6:00 AM Sunset: ~6:00 PM Day length: 12h exactly Remarkably constant year-round. Equatorial cities have near-12-hour days every day of year. Sunrise and sunset times shift only 10-15 minutes across seasons. This consistency affects: agricultural rhythms (multi-cropping possible year-round), tourism (predictable lighting throughout year), wildlife behaviors (less seasonal migration), human circadian patterns (no extreme seasonal adjustment). Tropical cultures often less sleep-time-flexible than temperate cultures due to constant light patterns.
Use this calculator for sunrise/sunset planning, photography timing (golden hour), travel preparation, outdoor activity scheduling, gardening (sun exposure planning), or understanding seasonal daylight patterns.
Pair with other weather calculators for comprehensive outdoor planning.
Important sunrise/sunset considerations:
1. **Latitude drives variation.** Equator: ~constant 12-hour days. High latitudes: extreme summer/winter differences.
2. **Earth's axial tilt (23.44°) creates seasons.** Same tilt produces solstice extremes in both hemispheres (opposite seasons).
3. **Civil sunrise/sunset is convention.** Most reported times use civil twilight (sun 0° at horizon). Nautical and astronomical twilights extend usable light hours.
4. **Golden hour is photographer's favorite.** Soft warm light approximately 1 hour after sunrise and before sunset. Plan landscape/portrait photography accordingly.
5. **Polar regions experience polar day/night.** Above 66.5° latitude: continuous sun in summer, continuous dark in winter. Lasting weeks to months at extreme latitudes.
6. **DST shifts apparent times by 1 hour.** During DST period, clock times shift but solar position unchanged.
7. **Solstices and equinoxes are key dates.** Summer solstice: longest day. Winter solstice: shortest. Equinoxes: nearly 12-hour days everywhere.
8. **Elevation affects times.** Higher elevations see sun earlier in morning, later in evening (less Earth obstruction). Mountain sunrise/sunset earlier/later than valley.
9. **Atmospheric refraction extends apparent times.** Sun visible ~30 minutes after astronomical sunset due to atmospheric light bending. Already accounted for in standard calculators.
10. **Tropical regions have minimal variation.** Year-round 11.5-12.5 hour days. Tourism, agriculture, lifestyle adapted to consistency.
11. **Photo planning apps available.** PhotoPills, TPE (The Photographer's Ephemeris) provide precise sun/moon position, golden hour timing, and shadow planning for specific locations.
12. **Solar calculator for precision.** NOAA solar calculator (gml.noaa.gov) provides exact sunrise/sunset/solar position for any location and date.
Positive = North, Negative = South
Positive = East, Negative = West (NYC = -74, LA = -118)
June 21 = ~172, Dec 21 = ~355
EST = -5, CST = -6, PST = -8
Sunrise
4:31 AM
Sunset
7:32 PM
Day Length
15h 1m
Solar Noon
12:01 PM
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Latitude | 40 N |
| Longitude | 75 W |
| Day of Year | 172 |
| UTC Offset | UTC-5 |
| Equation of Time | -1.5 min |
| Sunrise | 4:31 AM |
| Solar Noon | 12:01 PM |
| Sunset | 7:32 PM |
| Day Length | 15h 1m |
| Night Length | 8h 59m |