Sunrise & Sunset Times Today Near You

Sunrise and sunset times change daily due to Earth's tilt (23.5°) and elliptical orbit around the sun. As Earth orbits, different parts tilt toward or away from the sun, changing day length. Near solstices, sunrise and sunset shift by 1-2 minutes per day; near equinoxes, the change is faster (2-3 minutes per day). Your latitude also affects how dramatically times change throughout the year.

Golden hour is the period shortly after sunrise or before sunset when the sun is low in the sky, creating warm, soft, flattering light ideal for photography. It typically lasts 20-60 minutes depending on your location and time of year. During golden hour, light is softer (no harsh shadows), warmer in color (more orange and red tones), and more cinematic with longer shadows that add depth to photos.

Day length is primarily affected by your latitude and the time of year. Higher latitudes experience more dramatic seasonal changes—locations near the equator have relatively consistent day length year-round, while places farther north or south see much longer days in summer and shorter days in winter. Earth's tilt causes the Northern Hemisphere to have longer days in summer (when it tilts toward the sun) and shorter days in winter (when it tilts away).

Sunrise and sunset are calculated using astronomical algorithms that account for your exact latitude, longitude, elevation, and the date. The calculations determine when the sun's upper edge appears or disappears at the horizon, accounting for atmospheric refraction (which makes the sun appear slightly higher than it actually is). These calculations are accurate to within a minute for most locations, though local terrain (hills, buildings) can make the sun appear to rise or set earlier or later than the calculated time.