How to Use the Sunrise & Sunset Time Calculator
Because Earth's axis is tilted about 23.5 degrees as it orbits the sun, sunrise and sunset times shift slightly every day, even for the same city. This calculator uses an astronomical formula based on latitude and longitude to estimate sunrise, sunset, and the daylight length in between for the date and city you choose.
Choose from New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Denver, or Miami — each city's coordinates and time zone (including standard Daylight Saving Time rules) are applied automatically, so results shift depending on both the date and the city. Days are longest around the summer solstice (late June) and shortest around the winter solstice (late December).
Keep in mind this is an approximation and doesn't fully account for atmospheric refraction or local terrain, so for activities that need precise timing — like hiking, fishing, or photography — cross-check with an official source such as the US Naval Observatory.
Frequently Asked Questions
This calculator uses an astronomical approximation formula, so results can be off from official observed values by about 1-2 minutes. For precise timing, cross-check with an official source like the US Naval Observatory.
It's the sunset time minus the sunrise time. Days get longer closer to the summer solstice and shorter closer to the winter solstice.