# Sunrise and Sunset Calculator - Times and Direction for Any Place

Find sunrise and sunset times plus the exact compass direction the sun rises and sets for any location and date.

Canonical HTML: https://suncastapp.com/tools/sunrise-sunset
Last updated: 2026-07-14

## Direct Answer

The SunCast sunrise and sunset calculator gives sunrise time, sunset time, day length, and the compass direction of sunrise and sunset for a selected location and date.

## Key Facts
- The sun rises due east and sets due west only around the equinoxes.
- At other times of year, sunrise and sunset shift north or south depending on season and latitude.
- Direction matters for windows, ridgelines, photography backgrounds, and outdoor plans.

## Common Uses
- Check whether a window, balcony, trail, or campsite gets morning or evening light.
- Plan sunrise and sunset photography compositions.
- Understand seasonal changes in sunrise and sunset direction.

## FAQ

### What time is sunrise and sunset today?

Search any location and the calculator shows today’s sunrise and sunset in that place’s local time, along with the day length. Pick a different date to see how the times shift through the year — they change fastest around the equinoxes and barely move near the solstices.

### Which direction does the sun rise and set?

Only at the spring and autumn equinoxes does the sun rise due east and set due west. In northern-hemisphere summer it rises in the north-east and sets in the north-west; in winter it rises in the south-east and sets in the south-west (reversed south of the equator). This tool shows the exact compass bearing for both, so you know which windows catch first and last light.

### Why does the sunrise direction change through the year?

Earth’s axis is tilted about 23.5°, so as we orbit the sun its rising and setting points swing north and south across the horizon over the year. The effect is small near the equator and dramatic at high latitudes, where midsummer sunrises can be almost due north-east.

### Why is the day getting longer or shorter?

Day length is the gap between sunrise and sunset, and it grows or shrinks as the sun’s path across the sky gets higher or lower with the seasons. Around the solstices the change slows to almost nothing; around the equinoxes it can swing by several minutes a day. The calculator shows the exact day length for any date.

### Is sunrise the same as first light?

No. First light begins earlier, at dawn, when twilight starts to brighten the sky; sunrise is the moment the sun’s upper edge actually clears the horizon. Likewise, dusk continues after sunset until the sky goes dark. For the full set of twilight phases, see the Sun Times calculator.

### Can I check sunrise and sunset for a future trip?

Yes. Choose any location and any date to plan around first and last light — handy for travel, hikes, events or checking which way a new home faces. The SunCast app goes further with a live AR view and works offline once you arrive.