TimeStopwatch

Sunrise & Sunset Calculator

Get precise sunrise, sunset, solar noon and golden hour for any location.

Precise sunrise, sunset, solar noon and golden-hour times for any location on Earth. Uses the NOAA solar-position algorithm.

How it works

Given latitude, longitude and date, we compute the hour angle of the sun using orbital mechanics. Solar noon is when the sun crosses the local meridian; sunrise and sunset are when the sun is 0.833° below the horizon (accounting for atmospheric refraction).

Formula
Sunrise/sunset zenith angle: 90.833° (accounts for refraction + sun disk)

Key features

  • Global coverage (any latitude/longitude)
  • GPS auto-detect
  • Golden hour (morning and evening)
  • Solar noon

Common use cases

Photography
Plan golden-hour shoots down to the minute.
Hiking safety
Know when the sun sets before you head out.
Religious observance
Prayer times, fasting timings and Sabbath calculations.

Pro tips

  • Golden hour lasts about 60 minutes — plan setup and shooting accordingly.
  • Blue hour comes just before sunrise and after sunset.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Using sea-level times in mountainous terrain — actual sunrise can be delayed by minutes when surrounded by peaks.

Frequently asked questions

What about civil twilight?

Civil twilight is when the sun is 6° below the horizon. Astronomical twilight is at 18°. We include golden and blue hour equivalents.

Is DST handled?

Times are in your device's local timezone, which respects DST automatically.