Calculate total daylight hours for any location and date. Plan travel activities around available sunlight using latitude and day-of-year inputs.
When planning travel—especially for hiking, sightseeing, or photography—knowing how many hours of daylight you'll have at your destination is essential. Daylight hours vary dramatically by latitude and season, from 24-hour sun near the poles in summer to fewer than 6 hours at high latitudes in winter.
This calculator computes the approximate daylight hours based on your latitude and the day of the year. It uses the solar declination angle and hour angle formula to provide an estimate typically within 10 minutes of actual values.
Whether you're planning a December trip to Iceland (4–5 hours of daylight) or a June visit to Scandinavia (20+ hours), knowing your available daylight helps you schedule activities, book tours, and pack appropriate gear. Whether you are a beginner or experienced professional, this free online tool provides instant, reliable results without manual computation. By automating the calculation, you save time and reduce the risk of costly errors in your planning and decision-making process.
Daylight hours vary enormously by latitude and season. A trip to the same city can have 8 hours of daylight in December but 16 in June. This calculator instantly shows you what to expect at any destination and date. Having a precise figure at your fingertips empowers better planning and more confident decisions.
Declination δ = 23.45° × sin(360/365 × (284 + day)) Hour Angle = arccos(−tan(lat) × tan(δ)) Daylight Hours = 2 × Hour Angle / 15
Result: Approximately 21.2 hours of daylight
At 64°N latitude (Reykjavik, Iceland) on June 21st (summer solstice), the sun barely sets. The calculation gives about 21.2 hours of daylight, with the remaining hours being twilight rather than full darkness.
Equator (0°): ~12 hours year-round. 30° lat: 10–14 hours. 45° lat: 8.5–15.5 hours. 60° lat: 6–18.5 hours. Arctic/Antarctic Circle: 0–24 hours. Understanding these ranges is essential for travel planning at any latitude.
In Iceland, Norway, or Alaska during winter, daylight may last only 4–6 hours. Schedule outdoor activities in a tight window. In summer, take advantage of near-24-hour daylight for marathon sightseeing — but don't forget to sleep.
At higher latitudes, golden hour lasts longer because the sun crosses the horizon at a shallower angle. A sunset at 60°N can produce golden light for over an hour, whereas at the equator, the transition is 15–20 minutes. Plan photography sessions accordingly.
The equator receives approximately 12 hours of daylight every day of the year. The variation is minimal, only about 10–20 minutes between the longest and shortest days, making equatorial destinations predictable for planning.
North of the Arctic Circle (66.5°N), the sun does not set around the summer solstice. This includes northern Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Greenland, northern Canada, Alaska, and parts of Russia. The same applies south of the Antarctic Circle in their summer.
Higher altitude gives you a slightly extended view of the sun over the horizon. Being on a mountain can add several minutes of visible daylight compared to sea level. However, the effect on total daylight hours is minimal.
Civil twilight is the period when the sun is 0–6° below the horizon. There's enough light for outdoor activities without artificial lighting. This adds 20–40 minutes of usable light before sunrise and after sunset, which is significant for hikers and photographers.
Absolutely. Northern Europe in December has 5–7 hours of daylight, so outdoor tours are short and must start early. In contrast, June offers 18+ hours for extended hiking and sightseeing. Plan your itinerary intensity around available light.
The Southern Hemisphere's seasons are reversed. When it's summer in the north (June), it's winter in the south with shorter days. Use a negative latitude value (e.g., −33.9 for Sydney, −41.3 for Wellington) for accurate Southern Hemisphere results.