Blue Hour Calculator
Calculate precise blue hour times for stunning twilight photography. Blue hour creates a magical deep blue sky that's perfect for cityscapes, landscapes, and dramatic portraits.
New York CityAmerica/New_York
Morning Blue Hour
6:49AM–7:17AM
Sunrise 7:17 AM
Evening Blue Hour
6:02PM–6:30PM
Sunset 6:02 PM
- Morning Golden Hour
- 7:17 AM – 7:55 AM
- Evening Golden Hour
- 5:24 PM – 6:02 PM
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What is Blue Hour?
Blue hour is the period of twilight when the sun is below the horizon and the sky takes on a distinctive deep blue color. Unlike golden hour's warm tones, blue hour offers cool, ethereal light:
- Morning Blue Hour
- From the start of civil twilight (sun 6° below the horizon) until sunrise
- Evening Blue Hour
- From sunset until the end of civil twilight (sun 6° below the horizon)
- Duration
- Roughly 20–40 minutes at mid-latitudes, shorter near the equator
- Sky Color
- Deep blue with possible pink and purple hues on the horizon
The Science Behind Blue Hour
The distinctive blue color during this time comes from specific atmospheric conditions:
- Sun Position
- The sun is below the horizon (down to about 6° below, the end of civil twilight), so no direct sunlight reaches the ground
- Ozone Absorption
- Red light is absorbed by ozone in the upper atmosphere
- Rayleigh Scattering
- Blue wavelengths dominate as they scatter more effectively
Why Blue Hour is Perfect for Photography
Blue hour light offers unique advantages for photographers:
- Cool color temperature
- Creates moody, atmospheric images
- Even, soft lighting
- No harsh shadows or highlights
- City lights visible
- Perfect balance between ambient and artificial light
- Long exposure friendly
- Low light allows for creative motion blur
- Dramatic mood
- Creates contemplative, peaceful atmosphere
Professional Photography Applications
Blue hour is essential for:
- Cityscape Photography
- City lights glow against the blue sky
- Architecture Photography
- Buildings illuminated against twilight
- Portrait Photography
- Soft, flattering light with urban backdrop
- Landscape Photography
- Tranquil scenes with ethereal quality
- Seascape Photography
- Smooth water reflections of blue sky
Alpenglow Blue Hour Features
Our blue hour calculator includes:
- Precise timing
- Exact start and end times for your location
- Morning & evening
- Both blue hour periods calculated
- Quality forecasts
- Cloud and weather conditions affect visibility
- Notifications
- Get alerts before blue hour starts
- Multi-location support
- Plan shoots anywhere in the world
Blue Hour Photography Tips
- 01
Use a tripod - longer exposures are essential in low light
- 02
Arrive during golden hour to scout and set up your composition
- 03
Use ISO 100-400 to minimize noise in long exposures
- 04
Try exposures between 1-30 seconds for creative effects
- 05
Include artificial lights for added visual interest
Frequently Asked Questions
When is blue hour today?
Blue hour occurs twice daily: in the morning before sunrise and in the evening after sunset. The exact times vary by your location and the date. Download Alpenglow to get precise blue hour times for your exact location, updated daily.
How long does blue hour last?
Blue hour typically lasts 20-40 minutes, but this varies significantly by latitude and season. Near the equator, it's shorter (around 20 minutes). At higher latitudes, especially near the summer or winter solstice, it can last much longer or blend into extended twilight periods.
What's the difference between blue hour and golden hour?
Golden hour occurs when the sun is low but still above the horizon (up to about 6°), producing warm orange and yellow tones. Blue hour runs from sunset until the end of civil twilight, when the sun is 6° below the horizon (and mirrors this before sunrise), creating cool blue tones. Golden hour has brighter light suitable for portraits, while blue hour's dimmer light is ideal for cityscapes and long exposures.
What camera settings should I use for blue hour?
For blue hour photography, start with ISO 100-400, aperture f/8-f/11 for sharpness, and shutter speeds from 1-30 seconds depending on available light. Use a tripod and remote shutter release. Shoot in RAW format to capture the full range of blue tones for post-processing.
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