Sunrise Calculator
Calculate exact sunrise time, civil dawn, nautical dawn, and astronomical dawn for any location worldwide using date, latitude, longitude, and timezone. Includes atmospheric refraction correction and day length.
About This Calculator
The Sunrise Calculator computes the exact time of sunrise and the three phases of morning twilight for any location on Earth based on date, latitude, longitude, and timezone. Whether you are a photographer planning golden hour shoots, an astronomer scheduling observations, a sailor navigating during twilight, or simply curious about when the Sun will rise at your location, this tool provides accurate results using the standard NOAA Solar Calculator algorithm.
The calculation works by determining the Sun's position in the sky — its declination and right ascension — based on the day of the year and Earth's orbital parameters. Using the observer's latitude and the Sun's declination, the hour angle at sunrise and each twilight phase is computed. For the three types of dawn, the calculator uses standard zenith angles: 108 degrees for astronomical dawn (Sun 18° below horizon), 102 degrees for nautical dawn (Sun 12° below), and 96 degrees for civil dawn (Sun 6° below). The sunrise itself uses 90 degrees for geometric and 90.833 degrees to account for atmospheric refraction and the Sun's apparent diameter, which together make the visible sunrise occur a few minutes earlier than the geometric calculation would predict.
The calculator also displays solar noon (when the Sun reaches its highest point) and total day length. It correctly handles polar regions: locations above the Arctic Circle or below the Antarctic Circle experience polar day (midnight sun) during summer and polar night during winter, in which case the calculator displays a clear notification. For photographers and outdoor planners, knowing the civil dawn time (when there is enough natural light to see clearly) and the golden hour period around sunrise is especially valuable.
Regional Notes
India: For Indian locations, use the UTC+5:30 timezone offset. For example, New Delhi (28.61°N, 77.23°E) on June 21 sees sunrise around 5:23 AM IST, while on December 21 sunrise is around 7:13 AM IST.
United States: Timezone offsets vary by state. For example, New York City (40.71°N, 74.01°W) uses UTC-5 (EST) or UTC-4 (EDT during daylight saving). Remember to account for daylight saving time when selecting the UTC offset.
United Kingdom: London (51.51°N, 0.13°W) uses UTC+0 (GMT) or UTC+1 (BST during daylight saving). At this latitude, sunrise varies dramatically from about 4:43 AM in June to 8:06 AM in December.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is sunrise time calculated?
Sunrise time is calculated using the Sun's position based on Earth's orbit and rotation. The calculator uses the day of the year, latitude, longitude, and timezone to compute the Sun's declination, right ascension, and hour angle. The sunrise hour angle is subtracted from 360 degrees and the result is converted to local time by accounting for longitude and timezone offset.
What is the difference between geometric and refracted sunrise?
The geometric sunrise assumes the Sun rises when its center reaches the geometric horizon at 90 degrees from the zenith. The refracted sunrise accounts for atmospheric refraction which bends sunlight and makes the Sun appear about 0.833 degrees higher, effectively giving a few extra minutes of earlier sunrise. The refraction-corrected time is the actual visible sunrise.
What are the different types of dawn?
There are three types of dawn: astronomical dawn (Sun 18° below horizon — faintest stars disappear), nautical dawn (Sun 12° below — horizon visible for navigation), and civil dawn (Sun 6° below — enough light for most outdoor activities). The sunrise itself occurs when the upper edge of the Sun touches the horizon.
Why does sunrise time change throughout the year?
Sunrise times change because Earth's axis is tilted approximately 23.45 degrees relative to its orbital plane. As Earth orbits the Sun, the declination of the Sun varies between +23.45 and -23.45 degrees, causing the Sun's apparent path across the sky to shift. This results in earlier sunrises in summer and later sunrises in winter.
Can there be no sunrise at some locations?
Yes, locations near the poles can experience polar night where the Sun never rises for several weeks during winter, and polar day (midnight sun) where it never sets during summer. This happens when the Sun's declination exceeds 90 degrees minus the latitude, making the hour angle calculation impossible.
How accurate is this sunrise calculator?
This calculator uses the standard NOAA Solar Calculator algorithm with atmospheric refraction correction. Results are typically accurate to within 1-2 minutes for most locations. Accuracy depends on correct latitude, longitude, and timezone input.
What is solar noon and why does it matter?
Solar noon is the moment when the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky, crossing the local meridian. It is the midpoint between sunrise and sunset, and it rarely coincides with 12:00 PM on clocks due to timezone and daylight saving adjustments. Solar noon is useful for determining the Sun's daily arc and planning solar panel orientation.
How does latitude affect sunrise time?
Latitude significantly affects sunrise time. Near the equator, sunrise times are relatively consistent year-round, varying by only about 30 minutes. As you move toward higher latitudes, sunrise times vary more dramatically — much earlier in summer and much later in winter. Beyond the polar circles above 66.5 degrees, you can experience 24-hour daylight or darkness.