Golden Hour Calculator

Today's golden hour and blue hour for your exact location — morning and evening, plus sunrise, sunset and solar noon — and for any date you want to plan a shoot around. Computed in your browser from a standard solar algorithm. Built for photographers by Nakada Design.
‍

‍

Golden Hour, Blue Hour & the Light Between

Golden hour is the window just after sunrise and just before sunset, when the sun rides low — roughly 6° above the horizon down to 4° below. The light travels through more atmosphere, so it turns warm and soft, shadows stretch out, and contrast drops. It is the most flattering natural light there is, which is why couples, portraits and landscapes are all shot in it.

Blue hour is the deeper twilight on either side of golden hour, with the sun 4–6° below the horizon. The sky glows an even cobalt and the world goes cool and quiet — the moment for city lights, architecture and ambient-lit portraits, when the sky and the streetlights finally balance.

The bar above maps your whole day of light: night, blue hour, golden hour, full day, and back down again. The cards give you the exact clock times to be on location.

‍

Planning a Shoot Around the Light

Arrive before it starts. Golden hour light changes minute to minute and the best of it is often the first ten. Be set up and metered before the window opens, not scrambling into it.

Build the timeline backward. For weddings and events, the couple's portraits belong in the evening golden hour — work the rest of the day's schedule around that block. Our wedding timeline generator does exactly this.

Blue hour is a second shoot. Don't pack up at sunset. The fifteen to thirty minutes of blue hour that follow are a completely different, and often better, set of frames — especially with any architecture or water in the scene.

‍

Frequently Asked Questions

‍What is the golden hour in photography?
The window after sunrise and before sunset when the sun is low (about 6° above to 4° below the horizon). Light is soft, warm and directional — flattering for nearly everything.

‍What is the blue hour?
The twilight before sunrise and after sunset, with the sun 4–6° below the horizon. The sky glows deep blue; ideal for cityscapes, architecture and moody ambient-light portraits.

‍How long does golden hour last?
It depends on latitude and season — as little as 20 minutes near the equator, over an hour at high latitudes near the solstices. This tool gives the exact duration for your location and date.

‍Is it accurate for my location?
Yes — a standard solar-position algorithm computes times from your exact coordinates. Times display in your device's timezone, so they're right when you're in or near that location.

‍When is golden hour today?
Allow location or pick your city and leave the date on today. You'll see this morning's and this evening's golden hour, plus sunrise, sunset, solar noon and both blue hours.