North America
Washington, DC, United States: Sunrise & Sunset
Check sunrise, sunset and golden hour in Washington, DC, United States. See local twilight times and monthly daylight hours to plan your day.
Today in this city
On October 15, 2026 in Washington, DC, United States, sunrise is at 7:18 AM and sunset is at 6:31 PM (America/New_York). The day lasts 11h 13m, solar noon is at 12:55 PM, morning golden hour ends at 7:54 AM, and evening golden hour starts at 5:55 PM.
Local date
October 15, 2026
Time zone
EDT
Last refreshed
Oct 15, 2026, 3:20 PM
Today’s solar times in Washington, DC
Dawn
6:51 AM
Sunrise
7:18 AM
Morning golden hour ends
7:54 AM
Evening golden hour starts
5:55 PM
Sunset
6:31 PM
Dusk
6:58 PM
Location and calculation details
Day length
11h 13m
Solar noon
12:55 PM
Coordinates
38.9072, -77.0369
Calculation basis
Times are calculated from latitude 38.9072, longitude -77.0369, and the America/New_York time zone.
Upcoming sunrise and sunset changes
Compare how sunrise, sunset, and daylight length shift in Washington, DC over the next few weeks.
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| TodayOct 15, 2026 | 7:18 AM | 6:31 PM | 11h 13m |
| TomorrowOct 16, 2026 | 7:19 AM | 6:30 PM | 11h 11m |
| +1 weekOct 22, 2026 | 7:25 AM | 6:21 PM | 10h 56m |
| +1 monthNov 14, 2026 | 6:51 AM | 4:56 PM | 10h 06m |
What these times mean
Washington, DC changes quickly through the year. Dawn marks first usable twilight, sunrise starts direct daylight, golden hour adds softer low-angle light, sunset ends direct sunlight, and dusk closes civil twilight.
Monthly daylight reference
Use this month-by-month table to compare typical daylight windows in Washington, DC throughout the current year.
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:26 AM | 5:10 PM | 9h 44m |
| February | 7:01 AM | 5:46 PM | 10h 45m |
| March | 7:20 AM | 7:15 PM | 11h 55m |
| April | 6:32 AM | 7:45 PM | 13h 13m |
| May | 5:57 AM | 8:14 PM | 14h 18m |
| June | 5:43 AM | 8:36 PM | 14h 53m |
| July | 5:56 AM | 8:34 PM | 14h 38m |
| August | 6:22 AM | 8:05 PM | 13h 42m |
| September | 6:50 AM | 7:18 PM | 12h 28m |
| October | 7:18 AM | 6:31 PM | 11h 13m |
| November | 6:52 AM | 4:56 PM | 10h 04m |
| December | 7:20 AM | 4:48 PM | 9h 27m |
Yearly daylight milestones
Earliest sunrise
5:43 AM
June 9
Latest sunset
8:38 PM
June 21
Longest day
14h 54m
June 21
Shortest day
9h 26m
December 22
Upcoming solar eclipses
Upcoming solar eclipses visible from Washington, DC with at least 50% local coverage. Times are shown in local time.
| Date | Time | Maximum magnitude |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 4, 2040 | 2:09 PM | 80.7% |
| Aug 12, 2045 | 1:42 PM | 107.7% |
| Jun 11, 2048 | 8:58 AM | 94.4% |
| Mar 30, 2052 | 2:31 PM | 104.7% |
| May 11, 2078 | 1:56 PM | 107% |
Eclipse Syllabus
How to find golden hour for your photo shoot
Find warm, low-angle light using your location, date and Sun position. Check terrain and weather, then choose camera settings for the photograph you want.
Frequently asked questions
What time is sunrise and sunset in Washington, DC today?
On October 15, 2026, sunrise in Washington, DC, United States is at 7:18 AM and sunset is at 6:31 PM (America/New_York).
How long is the day in Washington, DC today?
Today in Washington, DC, the time between sunrise and sunset is 11h 13m.
When is golden hour in Washington, DC?
Morning golden hour in Washington, DC ends at 7:54 AM. Evening golden hour starts at 5:55 PM.
What time is solar noon in Washington, DC?
Solar noon in Washington, DC is at 12:55 PM today. This is when the Sun reaches its highest point for the day.
Related city pages
Plan beyond a single city
Use SolarWatch to follow sun position, shadows, and golden hour windows beyond Washington, DC, with widgets and planning tools for photographers and outdoor routines.
