What model does this tool use to compute sunrise/sunset?

astronomy-engine's SearchRiseSet function, a real astronomical model (VSOP87-based), not a fixed approximation formula.

Does this account for elevation?

No — this tool assumes sea-level, so sunrise/sunset at a high-altitude location may occur a bit earlier or later than shown here.

Does this account for atmospheric refraction?

Yes, using a standard refraction assumption; different sources may use slightly different refraction models, producing small (typically under a minute) time differences.

How is daylight duration calculated?

Simply the time elapsed between the computed sunrise and sunset for your selected location and date.

Why do I need to select a location?

Sunrise and sunset are inherently location-specific — they depend on your exact latitude, longitude, and local horizon, so the tool can't compute them without knowing where you are.

Can this be used for locations outside India?

Yes — the underlying calculation is a general astronomical model that works for any latitude and longitude worldwide, not just Indian locations.

What happens near the poles where sunrise or sunset can be missing for a day?

In polar summer/winter conditions, a day may have no sunrise or sunset at all; this tool relies on astronomy-engine's search function, which may not return a value in those edge cases.

Which of this site's other tools use this same calculation?

The Panchang, Rahu Kaal, Yamaganda, Gulika Kaal, and Choghadiya calculators all use this same sunrise/sunset computation as their foundation for dividing the day into traditional periods.

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Hindu Tools

Sunrise & Sunset Calculator

Real astronomical sunrise, sunset, and daylight duration for any location.

🔒 Runs entirely in your browser — nothing here is ever uploaded

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Last reviewed 2026-09-06

About the Sunrise & Sunset Calculator

Computes real astronomical sunrise, sunset, and daylight duration for any location and date.

100% Free Runs in Your Browser No Sign-Up Required

How to use it

Select your location.
Enter the date.
Read the sunrise, sunset, and daylight duration.

Formula

Computed via astronomy-engine's SearchRiseSet, a real astronomical model — not a fixed approximation.

Worked example

New Delhi on a recent date: computed sunrise/sunset landed within 1 minute of timeanddate.com's published figures for the same location and date.

Interpreting your result

Verified against real published sunrise/sunset times for a known location and date, landing within about a minute — small residual differences from other sources can come from atmospheric refraction assumptions or elevation, which this tool doesn't model.

Recommendations

• This is the same underlying calculation this site's Panchang, Rahu Kaal, Yamaganda, Gulika Kaal, and Choghadiya calculators use to divide the day into traditional periods.

Frequently asked questions

Small differences (typically under a minute) can come from different assumptions about atmospheric refraction or your exact elevation — this tool uses sea-level, standard-refraction assumptions.