Sunrise and Sunset Times in Rockford, Illinois

Rockford, Illinois experiences varying sunrise and sunset times throughout the year due to its location at latitude 42.2711° and longitude -89.0940°. Today, the sun rises at 6:42 AM and sets at 5:39 PM, providing 10 hours and 57 minutes of daylight.

Rockford sits in the Northern Hemisphere at about 42.3° latitude, placing it in a mid-latitude band. Cities in this band typically see noticeable seasonal shifts in daylight, which influences how quickly sunrise and sunset times shift across the seasons.

The golden hour, ideal for photography and outdoor activities, occurs in two periods today: morning from 6:42 AM to 7:21 AM, and evening from 5:01 PM to 5:39 PM. During these periods, the sun is low in the sky, creating warm, soft lighting conditions. Civil twilight begins at 6:14 AM and ends at 6:08 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.