Golden Hour Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate are the times?

This is a simplified model accurate to within a few minutes for most locations at mid-latitudes. Near the poles, during midsummer or midwinter, or when the sun barely clears the horizon, the tool falls back to approximate windows and results may be off by more.

What is golden hour exactly?

The period when the sun is low - here defined as between the horizon and about +6 degrees elevation - giving warm, soft, directional light. The duration varies from about 20 minutes in the tropics to over an hour at high latitudes.

What is blue hour?

The civil-twilight band just before sunrise and after sunset, when the sky turns deep blue. It coincides with a sun elevation of roughly -6 to -4 degrees below the horizon.

Should I include daylight saving time in the offset?

Yes. Use your actual UTC offset for the date. For example, US Eastern Standard Time is UTC-5, but during daylight saving (summer) it becomes UTC-4.

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Estimates for informational purposes only.

Important Disclaimer: Estimates for informational purposes only.

This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Results are based on assumptions and may not reflect actual outcomes. Consult qualified professionals in relevant fields before making important decisions based on these results.

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How It Works

This calculator uses NOAA-style solar position math to find the times when the sun is at specific elevations above or below the horizon. It computes the solar declination (the sun's angle above the celestial equator, which varies seasonally) and the equation of time (the correction for Earth's elliptical orbit and axial tilt), then solves the hour angle for each target elevation.

Golden hour is the period when the sun is between the horizon and approximately +6 degrees elevation. The light is warm, directional, and low-angled, casting long shadows and giving subjects a flattering glow. Blue hour is the civil-twilight band from -6 to -4 degrees solar elevation (before sunrise and after sunset), when the sky glows deep blue - ideal for cityscapes and architecture.

Enter your latitude, longitude, date, and the UTC timezone offset (including any daylight-saving adjustment) to get precise local times for both windows.

Use Cases

Planning around golden and blue hour is essential for outdoor and location photography:

Landscape photography: arriving at a viewpoint 30-40 minutes before golden hour starts

Portrait sessions: scheduling outdoor shoots to catch soft, warm light from the low sun

Architecture and urban photography: capturing city lights against a deep blue twilight sky

Seascape and nature photography: timing long-exposure shots to blend motion blur with colorful skies

Travel photography: knowing when to be at key landmarks for the most atmospheric light on any given day

Tips

Set the timezone offset to your actual local offset including daylight saving time - for US Eastern Daylight Time that is -4, not -5.

At high latitudes (above 55 degrees) in summer, the sun may stay above +6 degrees all day; the calculator approximates a 60-minute window around sunrise and sunset in that case.

Golden hour is longer in winter when the sun moves across the sky at a lower angle, spending more time in the low-elevation range.

Arrive at your location 15-20 minutes before golden hour begins to set up and take test shots before the best light arrives.

Blue hour typically lasts only 20-30 minutes; plan your composition in advance and work quickly once it starts.

FAQ