Day Length Changes

Daylight length shifts with the seasons — fastest around the equinoxes and flattest near the solstices. Pick a city to see today’s daylight and the change through the year.

FAQ

How is daylight length calculated?

It is sunset minus sunrise, using the standard definition of the sun’s centre crossing -0.833° (including atmospheric refraction).

Why is the daily change not constant?

Daylight length follows a sine curve: the slope is steepest near the equinoxes (fastest change) and near zero around the solstices (almost no change).

Are the longest and shortest days always the solstices?

Roughly, yes — but the earliest sunrise and latest sunset don’t fall exactly on the solstice due to the equation of time. This tool scans the whole year for the actual longest and shortest daylight.

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