Sunrise and Sunset Times in Chicago, Illinois
Today's sunrise and sunset times for Chicago, Illinois are shown below in local time, along with daylight length and golden hour periods.
Sunrise & Sunset in Chicago, Illinois
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Last updated: January 13, 2026
5h 6m of daylight remaining today
Today's Sun Data
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| Sunrise | 7:17 AM |
| Solar Noon | 12:00 PM |
| Sunset | 4:42 PM |
| Morning Golden Hour | 7:17 AM - 8:01 AM |
| Evening Golden Hour | 3:59 PM - 4:42 PM |
| Civil Dawn | 6:46 AM |
| Civil Dusk | 5:13 PM |
| Nautical Dawn | 6:12 AM |
| Nautical Dusk | 5:48 PM |
| Astronomical Dawn | 5:38 AM |
| Astronomical Dusk | 6:21 PM |
| Day Length | 9h 25m |
Data updated daily.
Last updated: January 13, 2026
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Why Sunrise and Sunset Times Change
Sunrise and sunset times change throughout the year because the Earth is tilted on its axis and orbits the sun in an elliptical path. This tilt causes different parts of the planet to receive varying amounts of sunlight as we move through the seasons, resulting in longer days during summer and shorter days during winter.
How People Use Sunrise and Sunset Times
Accurate sunrise and sunset times help people plan their daily activities:
- Travelers use them to plan flights, road trips, and sightseeing schedules
- Runners and cyclists check sunset times to ensure they finish outdoor workouts before dark
- Photographers rely on golden hour times for optimal lighting conditions
- Gardeners track daylight hours to understand growing seasons and plant care needs
- Workers adjust schedules based on available daylight, especially for outdoor jobs
Seasonal Daylight Patterns
During winter months, Chicago experiences shorter daylight hours, with the shortest day occurring around the winter solstice in late December.
More Sunrise and Sunset Information
- View monthly sunrise and sunset times in Chicago to see how daylight changes throughout the year.
- Explore sunrise and sunset times for cities throughout Illinois.
About Our Calculations
Sunrise and sunset times for Chicago are calculated using standard astronomical formulas based on the sun's position relative to Earth. These calculations account for the city's exact geographic coordinates (latitude 41.8781°, longitude -87.6298°) and use NOAA-based solar position algorithms to ensure accuracy. Times are displayed in local time for Chicago, Illinois.
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View detailed sunrise and sunset times for each month of the year in Chicago, Illinois.
Nearby Cities in Illinois
Looking for sunrise and sunset times near Chicago? Check nearby cities like Naperville, Joliet, Elgin, and and 4 more for today's daylight and golden hour times.
About Sun Times in Chicago
Chicago, Illinois experiences varying sunrise and sunset times throughout the year due to its location at latitude 41.8781° and longitude -87.6298°. Today, the sun rises at 7:17 AM and sets at 4:42 PM, providing 9 hours and 25 minutes of daylight.
The golden hour, ideal for photography and outdoor activities, occurs in two periods today: morning from 7:17 AM to 8:01 AM, and evening from 3:59 PM to 4:42 PM. During these periods, the sun is low in the sky, creating warm, soft lighting conditions. Civil twilight begins at 6:46 AM and ends at 5:13 PM, offering enough natural light for most activities without artificial lighting.
Understanding these sun times helps residents and visitors plan their day, whether for outdoor recreation, photography, or simply knowing when to expect daylight. The times change daily as the Earth orbits the sun, with longer days in summer and shorter days in winter.
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How People Use This Information
People use sunrise and sunset times for planning outdoor activities, photography, travel, prayer times, fitness routines, gardening, and understanding seasonal daylight changes. SunTimesToday is designed as a quick, location-specific reference that updates daily to reflect accurate astronomical calculations.
Data Source & Accuracy
Sunrise, sunset, daylight length, and twilight times on SunTimesToday are calculated using standard astronomical algorithms based on your selected location and date. Data is updated daily to reflect seasonal and yearly changes. While times are accurate for most practical uses, small variations may occur due to atmospheric conditions and local geography.