Sun Position Calculator
Choose a city, date, and time to find the sun's altitude and azimuth (compass direction) at that moment, plus solar noon for the day.
Last updated: September 5, 2026
Frequently asked questions
What does 'sun altitude' mean?
The angle of the sun above the horizon - 0° means the sun is right on the horizon (sunrise/sunset), 90° means directly overhead, and negative values mean the sun is below the horizon (nighttime).
What does 'azimuth' mean?
The sun's compass direction, measured in degrees clockwise from north - 0°/360° is north, 90° is east, 180° is south, and 270° is west. This tool also shows the nearest compass point (like SE or WNW) for easier reading.
What is solar noon?
The moment the sun reaches its highest point in the sky for that day (due south in the Northern Hemisphere, due north in the Southern Hemisphere) - it's rarely exactly 12:00 local clock time, since clock time is standardized across a whole time zone while solar noon depends on your exact longitude.
Why isn't solar noon at exactly 12:00?
Two reasons: your exact longitude within your time zone shifts solar noon from the zone's reference meridian, and the "equation of time" (Earth's elliptical orbit and axial tilt) shifts it by up to about 16 minutes throughout the year, even at a fixed longitude.
What altitude does the sun reach at solar noon in summer versus winter?
At mid-latitude cities, solar noon altitude is much higher in summer (the sun can pass near-overhead) and much lower in winter (staying closer to the horizon even at its peak) - the exact angle depends on the city's latitude and the date's solar declination.
Can this tell me which direction to face to see the sunset?
Yes - enter the date, time, and city near sunset, and the azimuth value (plus its compass direction like WNW) tells you exactly where on the horizon the sun sits at that moment.
Is 'sun angle calculator' the same thing as this tool?
Yes - 'sun angle,' 'solar altitude,' and 'sun elevation' are different names for the same altitude value this calculator returns, describing how high the sun sits above the horizon.