Blue hour
Blue hour is the short window just before sunrise and just after sunset when the Sun sits a little below the horizon and the sky glows a deep, even blue. Photographers love it for cityscapes and long exposures, when the sky balances with artificial lights.
See blue hour for your city
Every city page shows today's dawn, sunrise, solar noon, golden hour, sunset and dusk in local time.
When blue hour happens
Blue hour falls roughly within civil twilight, the stretch from the horizon to about 6 degrees below it, on either side of the day. In the morning it comes before first light and sunrise; in the evening it follows sunset and last light. Despite the name it rarely lasts a full hour: nearer the equator it can be as short as 20 minutes, while at high latitudes it stretches much longer.
Blue hour and golden hour
Blue hour and golden hour are neighbours. Golden hour is the warm, low light while the Sun is just above the horizon; blue hour is the cooler glow while the Sun is just below it. A typical evening runs sunset, then golden light fading, then the blue hour, then dusk. Knowing both windows lets you shoot warm and cool light back to back.
Frequently asked questions
When is blue hour today?
Just before morning first light and just after evening last light. Open your city to see today's exact sunrise, sunset and golden-hour times.
How long does blue hour last?
Usually 20 to 40 minutes, shorter near the equator and longer at high latitudes. It sits within civil twilight.
What is the difference between blue hour and golden hour?
Golden hour is the warm light while the Sun is just above the horizon; blue hour is the cool blue light while the Sun is just below it.
Why is the sky blue during blue hour?
With the Sun below the horizon, the remaining light is scattered through more atmosphere, leaving a deep, even blue across the whole sky.