Golden Hour Calculator

Golden Hour is the period just after sunrise and just before sunset when the sun is low in the sky (less than about 6 degrees above the horizon). Its light travels through more of the Earth's atmosphere, producing warm, reddish-gold tones and soft, diffused shadows. Also called "Magic Hour", the evening golden hour runs from when the sun is about 6 degrees above the horizon until sunset, and the morning golden hour mirrors it after sunrise.

How long it lasts depends on your latitude and the time of year: roughly 20–30 minutes near the equator, 30–60 minutes at mid-latitudes, and much longer at high latitudes, especially near the solstices. This low-angle light is prized for portraits, landscapes, and architectural photography. Alpenglow calculates precise Golden Hour timing for any location and date, and can send you notifications so you never miss the best light of the day.

Golden hour, also known as "magic hour," occurs when the sun is low on the horizon, creating warm, soft, and diffused light that's perfect for photography. This happens: