Sunrise and sunset calculator
Sunrise and sunset times depend on your latitude, longitude and the date. This calculator uses the standard NOAA solar-position method: it works out the sun's declination and the equation of time for the day, then finds the hour angle at which the centre of the sun sits 0.833 degrees below the horizon, which allows for atmospheric refraction and the sun's radius. From that it returns sunrise, sunset, solar noon and the length of the day. Pick a UK city or enter your own coordinates. Times are shown in your local zone, so British Summer Time is already applied.
Choose a UK city for ready-made coordinates, or type your own latitude and longitude, then pick a date. The result is accurate to about a minute for UK latitudes.
How this is worked out
The tool uses the standard NOAA solar-position method, the same astronomical formula behind most almanacs.
solar declination + equation of time from the day of year
hour angle where the sun centre sits 0.833 degrees below the horizon
sunrise = solar noon − hour angle, sunset = solar noon + hour angle
the 0.833 degrees allows for atmospheric refraction and the sun's radius
Results are accurate to about a minute for normal UK latitudes and are shown in your device's local time, so British Summer Time is already applied. For the authoritative UK figures, HM Nautical Almanac Office publishes official rise and set tables.
For the moon as well as the sun, see the moon-phase calculator, or browse the full calculator set.
Method: standard NOAA solar-position formula. For authoritative UK figures, HM Nautical Almanac Office publishes official rise and set tables.
Common questions
How does the sunrise and sunset calculator work?
It uses the standard NOAA solar-position method. For your date it works out the sun's declination and the equation of time, then finds the hour angle at which the centre of the sun sits 0.833 degrees below the horizon, which allows for atmospheric refraction and the sun's radius. From that it returns sunrise, sunset, solar noon and the length of the day.
Why is the sun 0.833 degrees below the horizon at sunrise?
Sunrise and sunset are defined as the moment the top edge of the sun meets the horizon. The 0.833 degree figure accounts for the sun's radius plus atmospheric refraction, which bends the light and makes the sun appear slightly higher than it really is, so it is counted as risen a little before its centre reaches the horizon.
Are the times shown in British Summer Time?
Yes. Times are shown in your local zone, so British Summer Time is already applied for dates when the clocks are forward. You do not need to add or subtract an hour yourself.
How accurate are the sunrise and sunset times?
The result is accurate to about a minute for UK latitudes, which is fine for planning. The method is the standard NOAA solar-position formula. For authoritative UK figures, HM Nautical Almanac Office publishes official rise and set tables.
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Editor, Dates & Times
Oliver Mackman is the named editor of Dates & Times and a director of Best Business Loans Ltd (Companies House 16833937), the company that operates the site. He is accountable for its editorial standards, sourcing and corrections, and requires every result to cite the underlying date maths and the official UK source behind it, such as the gov.uk Bank Holidays API.
Last reviewed: 12 June 2026