Golden hour calculator
Enter a date and location to find the exact morning and evening golden hour windows, plus sunrise and sunset. All calculations run in your browser using NOAA-style solar maths.
Date & location
North positive (e.g. New Delhi 28.6°N).
East positive (e.g. New Delhi 77.2°E).
Location permission is only requested after you click the button. Times are shown in your device’s time zone.
Golden hour windows
How it works
This calculator uses the widely accepted solar-elevation definition of golden hour: the window when the sun is between -4° (just below the horizon, warm pre-sunrise light) and +6° above the horizon. In the morning that means golden hour starts before sunrise and continues for a while after it; in the evening the reverse happens around sunset.
Times are computed with the standard NOAA solar-position equations, so results shift naturally with your date, latitude and longitude. The displayed time zone is whatever your device is set to.
Why shoot in golden hour?
- Warm, flattering light with soft shadows that hides skin imperfections.
- Long, directional shadows that add depth to landscapes and portraits.
- Low contrast makes exposure easier and reduces clipped highlights.
- Scenes bathed in gold are easy to grade later in editing.
Example
For New Delhi (28.6°N, 77.2°E) in mid-June the sun rises around 05:24 and sets near 19:21. Morning golden hour begins around 05:06 (sun at -4°) and ends near 06:20 (sun at +6°) - the classic warm window is between roughly 05:24 and 06:20.
Related sky planning
Prefer the soft pre-dawn blue tones? Use the blue hour calculator. Need precise civil-twilight times? See the sunrise & sunset calculator. Shooting under a new moon? Check the moon phase calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is golden hour?
Golden hour is the warm, soft period shortly after sunrise and before sunset when the sun is low in the sky. This calculator uses the common definition of a solar elevation between -4° and +6°.
How long is golden hour?
Roughly 20–45 minutes in most locations, but it varies with latitude and season. Near the equator it is short; at high latitudes in summer it can last for hours.
Why does my location matter?
Sunrise and sunset times (and therefore golden hour) change with latitude, longitude and date. Entering your coordinates gives times specific to where you will shoot.
Are the times exact?
They are accurate to roughly ±2 minutes, which is more than enough for planning a shoot. Actual terrain, clouds and horizon can shift the visible moment.