↗ Sunrise
7:02 AM
↘ Sunset today
5:28 PM
Civil dawn 6:34 AM · Civil dusk 5:57 PM
Day length 10h 26m
Know your daylight
Sunrise and sunset times
Today's sunrise and sunset
IP approximate · Columbus, Ohio, US
02:18:41
Monday, November 2, 2026
America/New_York
Times use the local date and a level horizon.
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What is day length
Day length is the elapsed time between sunrise and sunset at a particular place. It tells you how much of the day has the Sun above the horizon, rather than how many hours your clock displays between midnight and midnight. Earth’s axis is tilted, so the Sun follows a higher, longer path across the summer sky and a lower, shorter path in winter. Farther from the equator, the seasonal change is larger. Around the equinoxes, daylight and darkness are roughly balanced, though refraction and the apparent size of the Sun keep sunrise-to-sunset time from being exactly twelve hours. A daylight saving change moves the displayed times by an hour without adding sunlight. Use the weekly table to compare consecutive days and the annual curve to plan across seasons. For outdoor activities, also check twilight, local weather and the horizon: useful light can begin before sunrise and remain after sunset.
Twilight, dawn and dusk explained
Civil twilight
The Sun’s center is between the horizon and 6° below it. This is the brightest twilight, before sunrise and after sunset; civil dawn begins it in the morning and civil dusk ends it in the evening.
Nautical twilight
With the Sun between 6° and 12° below the horizon, the sky grows dimmer and some stars become visible. A clear sea horizon may still be distinguishable.
Astronomical twilight
The Sun is between 12° and 18° below the horizon. After astronomical dusk, sunlight no longer substantially illuminates a clear sky, though moonlight and light pollution remain.
How to use sunrise and sunset times
- Photographers: compare golden hour with blue hour, then scout your horizon.
- Hikers and campers: plan to finish before sunset and allow extra time for terrain and weather.
- Golfers: compare a tee time with sunset and allow enough daylight to finish your round.
- Commuters: anticipate seasonal changes in morning and evening light and carry lights when needed.
- Stargazers: look for astronomical night and account for cloud, moonlight and city lighting.
Frequently asked questions
What time is sunset today?
For the location above, sunset today is 5:28 PM (America/New_York), with sunrise at 7:02 AM and day length 10h 26m. Select a reviewed city for a full calendar.
What time does it get dark?
Civil dusk today is 5:57 PM (America/New_York). Light remains after sunset. Civil dusk marks the end of the brightest twilight; astronomical dusk is when the Sun is 18° below the horizon. Weather and artificial lighting change how dark the sky appears.
Why does day length change?
Earth’s tilted axis changes the Sun’s path through the year. Northern locations have longer days around June and shorter days around December; latitude controls the size of that seasonal difference.
How long is golden hour?
Golden hour is an interval of low sunlight, not always sixty minutes. Its duration depends on latitude and season. Our calculator uses geometric solar-center altitude from 0° to +6°.
When does daylight saving time start?
In most of the United States it starts on the second Sunday in March at 2 a.m. local time. Hawaii and most of Arizona do not observe it. See the daylight saving guide for exceptions and the 2026 dates. Read the US DST guide →
What is the difference between sunset and dusk?
Sunset is when the Sun’s upper edge disappears below a level horizon. Dusk comes afterward, at the end of a defined twilight phase: civil, nautical or astronomical.