Longest and shortest day in Kinshasa
In Kinshasa, DR Congo, the longest day of 2026 is around the December solstice on Monday, 21 December 2026, with 12h 23m of daylight, and the shortest is around the June solstice on Sunday, 21 June 2026, with 11h 52m.
| Turning point | Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Friday, 20 March 2026 | 06:03 | 18:09 | 12h 7m |
| June solstice | Sunday, 21 June 2026 | 06:04 | 17:56 | 11h 52m |
| September equinox | Tuesday, 22 September 2026 | 05:48 | 17:54 | 12h 6m |
| December solstice | Monday, 21 December 2026 | 05:45 | 18:08 | 12h 23m |
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 05:57 | 18:18 | 12h 21m |
| February | 06:05 | 18:20 | 12h 15m |
| March | 06:03 | 18:11 | 12h 8m |
| April | 05:58 | 17:59 | 12h 1m |
| May | 05:57 | 17:52 | 11h 55m |
| June | 06:03 | 17:55 | 11h 52m |
| July | 06:08 | 18:01 | 11h 53m |
| August | 06:04 | 18:02 | 11h 58m |
| September | 05:51 | 17:56 | 12h 5m |
| October | 05:38 | 17:50 | 12h 12m |
| November | 05:34 | 17:53 | 12h 19m |
| December | 05:42 | 18:05 | 12h 23m |
Why the day gets longer and shorter in Kinshasa
Earth's axis is tilted about 23.4 degrees, so as the planet orbits the Sun, Kinshasa leans toward the Sun for part of the year and away for the rest. When it leans toward the Sun the days lengthen and the Sun climbs higher; half a year later the opposite happens. The size of the swing depends on how far Kinshasa sits from the equator: the further away, the bigger the difference between the longest and shortest day.
Frequently asked questions about day length in Kinshasa
When is the longest day in Kinshasa?
The longest day in Kinshasa falls around the December solstice, on Monday, 21 December 2026 in 2026, with about 12h 23m of daylight, sunrise at 05:45 and sunset at 18:08.
When is the shortest day in Kinshasa?
The shortest day in Kinshasa falls around the June solstice, on Sunday, 21 June 2026 in 2026, with about 11h 52m of daylight, sunrise at 06:04 and sunset at 17:56.
How much does day length change through the year in Kinshasa?
Between the longest and shortest day, Kinshasa gains and loses about 0h 31m of daylight. The change is fastest around the March and September equinoxes and slowest near the solstices.
Every figure is computed from Kinshasa's coordinates with SunCalc, not looked up from a table.