What Time Is Dusk Today? (Dusk Times Near You Explained)

Knowing what time dusk is today matters more than you might think. For commuters, dusk marks when visibility decreases and headlights become essential for safe driving. For outdoor enthusiasts, dusk time today helps plan evening walks, runs, or hikes before darkness sets in. Photographers rely on dusk near me to capture the beautiful blue hour and twilight colors. Those observing religious prayer times need accurate evening light time for their schedules. And astronomers use dusk timing to know when true darkness begins for stargazing.

If you only need today's sunrise and sunset times, use our Sunrise & Sunset search tool – enter your city to see exact sunrise, sunset, dawn, dusk, and golden hour times for your location.

You may also find these guides helpful:

• What Time Is Sunset Near Me?
• What Time Is Dawn Tomorrow?

But here's the thing: dusk time changes every single day and varies by your exact location. That's why checking your local dusk time tonight is essential for accurate planning. In this guide, you'll learn what dusk is, how to find dusk times for your location, and practical tips for different activities that depend on evening light timing.

What Is Dusk?

Dusk is the period of evening twilight that occurs after sunset, when the sun has disappeared below the horizon but there's still light in the sky. It's that beautiful transition from daylight to darkness, often marked by soft colors—oranges, pinks, purples, and deep blues—spreading across the sky.

Astronomers define dusk more precisely than everyday usage. There are actually three types of dusk, each marking a different stage of evening twilight based on how far the sun is below the horizon:

Civil Twilight → Everyday Outdoor Visibility, Safe Light

Civil dusk occurs when the sun is 6 degrees below the horizon, typically 20–30 minutes after sunset. This is what most people mean when they ask "what time is dusk?" At civil dusk:

• There's still enough natural light to see clearly without artificial lighting
• Streetlights and outdoor lights typically turn on automatically
• The sky shows beautiful warm colors (oranges, pinks, purples)
• It's bright enough to read a book outside
• Safe for most outdoor activities with good visibility

This is the most practical dusk time for planning evening activities, commuting, and outdoor recreation.

Nautical Twilight → Horizon Visibility for Sailors

Nautical dusk happens when the sun is 12 degrees below the horizon, usually 40–50 minutes after sunset. The name comes from navigation—at this point, sailors can still distinguish the horizon line at sea, which helps with celestial navigation using stars.

At nautical dusk, it's noticeably darker. You'll need artificial light to read, and the brightest stars start becoming visible. The sky transitions from the warm colors of civil dusk to deeper blues and purples. This is important for pilots and mariners who need horizon visibility for navigation.

Astronomical Twilight → Stars Fully Visible

Astronomical dusk occurs when the sun is 18 degrees below the horizon, typically 60–90 minutes after sunset. This marks the end of astronomical twilight and the beginning of true night darkness.

At astronomical dusk, the sky is fully dark. All but the faintest stars are clearly visible, making it the best time for stargazing and astronomy. Light pollution from cities can make it harder to reach true astronomical darkness, but in rural areas, this is when the night sky really comes alive.

Dusk vs Sunset

Understanding dusk vs sunset helps clarify the difference:

• Sunset is the exact moment when the sun's upper edge disappears below the horizon—a specific clock time
• Dusk is the period of twilight that follows sunset—a window of time when there's still light in the sky but the sun is below the horizon

Think of it this way: sunset is when the sun goes down, and dusk is what happens next. Civil dusk typically begins 20–30 minutes after sunset, though this varies by location and season.

How to Check Today's Dusk Time Near You

Finding your local dusk time today is simple when you use the right tool. Here's the step-by-step process:

• Go to homepage search bar: Visit SunTimesToday.com and use the search field at the top of the page
• Enter city: Type your city name (e.g., "New York," "Los Angeles," "London") and select it from the results
• Open today's page: Click on your city to open its detailed page showing today's times
• Look for: The page displays Dusk (civil dusk time), Sunset time, and Twilight levels (civil, nautical, and astronomical dusk times)
• Suggest bookmarking city pages: Bookmark your city page or add it to your home screen for quick access to dusk time tonight and future dates

The search results show all three types of dusk times clearly labeled, plus sunrise, sunset, and day length. This makes it easy to plan any activity that depends on evening light timing.

For more information about morning light timing, check out our guide on what time is dawn tomorrow. And for photography tips during the golden hour before sunset, see our golden hour photography guide.

Why Dusk Time Changes Daily

Dusk time shifts every single day—sometimes by just a minute, sometimes by several minutes. Understanding why helps you plan better. Here are the main factors:

Earth's Tilt and Orbit

Earth tilts about 23.5° on its axis. As we orbit the sun throughout the year, different hemispheres tilt toward or away from the sun, changing day length and the timing of dusk. In summer, local dusk time happens later because the sun sets later. In winter, dusk happens earlier. This seasonal change is most dramatic at higher latitudes.

Near the solstices (June and December), dusk shifts by about 1–2 minutes per day. Near the equinoxes (March and September), the change is faster—often 2–3 minutes per day. This is why checking dusk time today is important even if you checked it yesterday.

Seasons Shifting Daylight

As seasons change, the amount of daylight shifts, which affects when sunset (and therefore dusk) occurs. In summer, days are longer and dusk happens later in the evening. In winter, days are shorter and dusk happens earlier. This is why your evening twilight today in December will be much earlier than in July.

Latitude Changes Twilight Length

Your latitude (how far north or south you are) dramatically affects how long dusk lasts. Locations near the equator see relatively consistent dusk durations year-round (typically 20–30 minutes). Higher latitudes experience much more variation—in extreme northern locations during summer, dusk can last 60–90 minutes or even longer.

Your longitude (east-west position) affects what time dusk appears on your clock within your time zone. Cities farther east in a time zone see dusk earlier than cities farther west, even though they share the same clock time.

These factors combine to create the daily shifts in evening twilight today timing. That's why using a tool like SunTimesToday that accounts for all these variables gives you the most accurate dusk times.

Examples: Dusk Times Today

Dusk times vary significantly by location and date. Here are example civil dusk times for major cities (times are approximate and vary by date):

Actual dusk times vary — search your exact city for accuracy. These examples show how dusk times differ by time zone and latitude. Your actual dusk time depends on your specific coordinates and the date. Use SunTimesToday to get precise times for your location.

Dusk Safety & Planning Tips

Driving Visibility 📌

Dusk is one of the most dangerous times to drive because visibility decreases rapidly. Here's how to stay safe:

• Turn on headlights before civil dusk: Don't wait until it's fully dark—turn on your headlights as soon as visibility starts decreasing, typically 10–15 minutes before civil dusk
• Check your local dusk time: Know when dusk time tonight occurs so you can plan to be extra cautious during that window
• Reduce speed: Lower your speed during dusk hours, especially in areas with pedestrians or wildlife
• Watch for pedestrians and cyclists: They may be harder to see during dusk, so scan carefully and give extra space
• Clean your windshield: A dirty windshield makes visibility worse during low-light conditions

Walking/Runners Safety 🔦

For evening walks or runs, planning around dusk time is essential for safety:

• Start before civil dusk: Begin your walk or run at least 15–20 minutes before civil dusk to ensure you finish with adequate light
• Wear reflective gear: If you must be out during or after dusk, wear bright, reflective clothing and accessories
• Carry a light: Bring a flashlight or headlamp, especially if you might be out past civil dusk
• Choose well-lit routes: Stick to paths with streetlights or good ambient lighting
• Check dusk time daily: Since dusk changes daily, check your dusk time today before heading out

Outdoor Recreation 🥾

For hiking, camping, or other outdoor activities, knowing dusk time helps you plan safely:

• Plan to finish before nautical dusk: Aim to complete your activity or reach your destination before nautical dusk for better visibility
• Pack headlamps: Always carry reliable light sources, even if you plan to finish before dusk
• Know your route: Familiarize yourself with the trail or area before dusk sets in
• Check weather: Cloudy conditions can make dusk feel darker earlier, so adjust your timing accordingly
• Set up camp early: If camping, set up your tent and organize gear before civil dusk

Religious Observance ⛪🕌

Many religious traditions use dusk times for prayer schedules:

• Check civil dusk for prayer times: Many traditions use civil dusk (Maghrib in Islam, for example) to mark the beginning of evening prayer periods
• Use accurate local times: Since dusk varies by location, use your exact city's dusk time rather than general estimates
• Account for daily changes: Dusk time shifts daily, so check dusk time today regularly to maintain accurate prayer schedules
• Consider your location: If traveling, check the local dusk time for your destination

Photography (Blue Hour!) 📸

Dusk offers incredible photography opportunities, especially during blue hour:

• Blue hour timing: Blue hour occurs during civil dusk and nautical dusk, when the sky takes on deep blue and purple tones—perfect for cityscapes, landscapes, and moody shots
• Arrive before sunset: Get to your location before sunset to catch the full transition from golden hour through sunset into blue hour
• Shoot through civil dusk: The best blue hour colors often happen during civil dusk, so keep shooting even after sunset
• Use a tripod: As light fades during dusk, you'll need longer exposures, so a tripod is essential
• Check weather: Clouds can enhance or block blue hour colors, so check conditions before heading out

For more photography tips, including how to capture golden hour before sunset, check out our guide on golden hour photography.

FAQ

Check Your Dusk Time Today

Now that you understand what dusk is, how it differs from sunset, and why it changes daily, you can plan your evenings with confidence. Whether you're scheduling a photo shoot, planning an evening walk, timing religious prayers, or ensuring safe driving, knowing your exact dusk time today makes all the difference.

Remember: dusk time changes every day and varies by location. For the most accurate information, use SunTimesToday to search for your city and get precise civil dusk, nautical dusk, and astronomical dusk times for today and future dates.

Don't let another evening catch you unprepared. Check your local dusk time now and plan your activities around the best light and safest conditions of the day.