What Time Is Golden Hour Today?
Today's golden hour windows for your location are shown above, with a live countdown to the next one. Golden hour comes twice a day — the first one starts just before sunrise, and the second winds the day down just before sunset. On the sky above, the glowing golden band on the sun's path marks exactly where (and when) golden hour happens today; the sun itself shows where it is right now.
What Is Golden Hour?
Golden hour is the period when the sun sits low in the sky — conventionally from about 6° above the horizon to about 4° below it. Sunlight has to travel through much more atmosphere at that angle, which scatters away the blue and leaves warm, soft, golden light with long gentle shadows. It's the most flattering natural light there is, which is why photographers, filmmakers, and wedding planners obsess over it.
How Long Does Golden Hour Last?
Almost never exactly an hour. The duration depends on how steeply the sun crosses the horizon at your latitude and season: near the equator the sun dives straight down and golden hour can pass in 20 minutes; at mid-latitudes expect 40–80 minutes; and in midsummer at high latitudes the sun slides sideways along the horizon, stretching golden hour to several hours — or all night near the Arctic circle.
Golden Hour Photography Tips
- Arrive early — the best light often comes in the last 15 minutes before sunset
- Shoot toward the sun for rim light and silhouettes, away from it for warm, even portraits
- Stay for blue hour — the show isn't over when the sun goes down
- Check tomorrow's window — this page shows the next golden hour so you can plan a shoot
FAQ
When is golden hour today?
Twice: after sunrise and before sunset — the exact windows for your location are in the cards above and update live.
How is golden hour calculated?
From the sun's elevation: this page computes when the sun is between 6° above and 4° below the horizon at your location, using your timezone (no location permission needed — tap "Use precise location" for street-level accuracy).
Is morning or evening golden hour better?
The light is symmetrical, but evenings are usually warmer, hazier, and busier; mornings are crisper, clearer, and emptier. Landscape photographers often prefer dawn; portrait shooters, the evening.