What counts as sunrise
Sunrise is the moment the upper edge of the Sun appears on the horizon. Because the atmosphere bends light, you see the Sun when it is still about 0.83° below the geometric horizon (0.57° for refraction plus the Sun's 0.27° radius). The sky starts getting light well before this — see dawn.
Times are calculated in your browser from the Sun's position (the same method as NOAA-style solar calculators). They assume a flat horizon at sea level, so mountains, buildings and altitude can shift what you actually see by a few minutes.
Frequently asked questions
What time is sunrise tomorrow?
Once today's sunrise has passed, the tool shows tomorrow's time next to the countdown. You can also press › to step to any date.
When is the earliest sunrise of the year?
Not on the longest day. In mid-northern latitudes the earliest sunrise comes about a week before the June solstice, and the latest sunrise about two weeks after the December solstice.
Where does the Sun rise?
Due east only around the equinoxes. In northern summer it rises north of east, in winter south of east. The direction is shown in degrees under the countdown.