Question 1

How many hours of daylight does Chicago get today?

Accepted Answer

Chicago currently gets approximately 12 hours and 58 minutes of daylight today. This varies throughout the year — days are longest around the summer solstice (June in the Northern Hemisphere, December in the Southern Hemisphere) and shortest around the winter solstice. At 41.9° latitude, Chicago sees moderate variation, with summer days noticeably longer than winter days. Our calculations use the SunCalc astronomical library for accuracy within 1–2 minutes.

Question 2

What time does the sun rise in Chicago?

Accepted Answer

Sunrise times in Chicago change throughout the year based on the Earth's axial tilt and the city's position at 41.9° latitude. Use the table above to see today's exact sunrise time, as well as dawn (civil twilight) and other twilight phases. The earliest sunrise typically occurs around the summer solstice, while the latest sunrise happens near the winter solstice. The difference between earliest and latest sunrise can be over two hours. All sunrise calculations are based on NOAA solar position algorithms via the SunCalc library.

Question 3

What time does the sun set in Chicago?

Accepted Answer

Sunset times in Chicago vary by season due to the Earth's orbital mechanics and the city's latitude of 41.9°. Check the table above for today's exact sunset time, including dusk and twilight phases. The latest sunset typically occurs a few days after the summer solstice, while the earliest sunset happens a few days before the winter solstice. At mid-latitudes, you can expect sunset to vary by 2–3 hours across the seasons.

Question 4

How does day length change throughout the year in Chicago?

Accepted Answer

Chicago at 41.9° latitude experiences moderate seasonal day length variation. Summer days are noticeably longer than winter days, with daylight typically ranging from about 8 to 16 hours depending on the time of year. The rate of change is fastest around the equinoxes (March and September), when day length changes by several minutes each day. Around the solstices, the rate of change slows as day length approaches its maximum or minimum. This makes spring and autumn the seasons with the most noticeable daily changes in sunrise and sunset times.

Question 5

What is civil twilight in Chicago?

Accepted Answer

Civil twilight in Chicago is the period when the sun is between 0° and 6° below the horizon. During civil twilight, there is enough natural light for most outdoor activities without artificial lighting. It occurs just before sunrise (dawn) and just after sunset (dusk). At mid-latitudes, civil twilight typically lasts about 25–35 minutes. The exact duration for Chicago is shown in the twilight data table above.

Question 6

What are the different twilight phases?

Accepted Answer

There are three twilight phases, each defined by the sun's angle below the horizon. Civil twilight (0°–6°) is the brightest phase, with enough light for outdoor activities without artificial lighting. Nautical twilight (6°–12°) is dimmer but still allows sailors to see the horizon for celestial navigation. Astronomical twilight (12°–18°) is nearly dark, with only the faintest glow on the horizon, and most stars become visible. Below 18° is considered full astronomical night. The duration of each phase varies by latitude and season — our data table above shows all twilight phases for Chicago.

Question 7

When is the longest day in Chicago?

Accepted Answer

The longest day in Chicago occurs around the summer solstice. For Chicago in the Northern Hemisphere, the longest day is around June 20–21. On this date, Chicago experiences its earliest sunrise and near-latest sunset of the year. At 41.9° latitude, the longest day is typically 14–16 hours of daylight. The shortest day (winter solstice) occurs approximately six months later.

Question 8

Does daylight saving time affect sunrise and sunset times in Chicago?

Accepted Answer

Yes, when Chicago transitions to daylight saving time, clock-based sunrise and sunset times shift by one hour. However, the actual amount of daylight doesn't change — DST simply moves an hour of daylight from the morning to the evening. This means sunrise appears one hour "later" on the clock during DST, and sunset appears one hour "later" as well. The transition typically causes a noticeable jump in the sunrise/sunset table around the spring and fall changeover dates. Check our DST change calendar for exact transition dates in Chicago.

Astronomical Dawn	4:44:11 AM
Nautical Dawn	5:19:28 AM
Civil Dawn	5:53:18 AM
Sunrise	6:21:43 AM
Golden Hour End	6:58:42 AM
Solar Noon	12:50:44 PM
Golden Hour Start	6:42:46 PM
Sunset	7:19:45 PM
Civil Dusk	7:48:10 PM
Nautical Dusk	8:22:01 PM
Astronomical Dusk	8:57:18 PM
Day Length	12h 58m

Moonrise	11:36:20 PM
Moonset	4:07:22 PM
Moon Phase	🌗 Last Quarter
Illumination	33%

Date	Sunrise	Sunset	Day Length	Moonrise	Moonset	Phase
Sep 1, Tue	6:17 AM	7:26 PM	13h 9m	8:46 PM	11:15 AM	🌖
Sep 2, Wed	6:18 AM	7:24 PM	13h 6m	9:15 PM	12:32 PM	🌗
Sep 3, Thu	6:19 AM	7:23 PM	13h 3m	9:51 PM	1:51 PM	🌗
Sep 4, Fri	6:20 AM	7:21 PM	13h 1m	10:38 PM	3:04 PM	🌗
Sep 5, Sat	6:21 AM	7:19 PM	12h 58m	11:36 PM	4:07 PM	🌗
Sep 6, Sun	6:22 AM	7:18 PM	12h 55m	12:45 AM	4:59 PM	🌘
Sep 7, Mon	6:23 AM	7:16 PM	12h 53m	2:01 AM	5:38 PM	🌘
Sep 8, Tue	6:24 AM	7:14 PM	12h 50m	3:21 AM	6:10 PM	🌘
Sep 9, Wed	6:25 AM	7:12 PM	12h 47m	4:39 AM	6:37 PM	🌑
Sep 10, Thu	6:26 AM	7:11 PM	12h 44m	5:52 AM	—	🌑
Sep 11, Fri	6:27 AM	7:09 PM	12h 42m	7:03 AM	7:00 PM	🌑
Sep 12, Sat	6:28 AM	7:07 PM	12h 39m	8:12 AM	7:21 PM	🌑
Sep 13, Sun	6:29 AM	7:05 PM	12h 36m	9:20 AM	7:42 PM	🌒
Sep 14, Mon	6:30 AM	7:04 PM	12h 33m	10:27 AM	8:05 PM	🌒
Sep 15, Tue	6:31 AM	7:02 PM	12h 30m	11:33 AM	8:29 PM	🌒
Sep 16, Wed	6:32 AM	7:00 PM	12h 28m	12:37 PM	8:59 PM	🌒
Sep 17, Thu	6:33 AM	6:58 PM	12h 25m	1:38 PM	9:33 PM	🌓
Sep 18, Fri	6:34 AM	6:57 PM	12h 22m	2:32 PM	10:15 PM	🌓
Sep 19, Sat	6:36 AM	6:55 PM	12h 19m	3:18 PM	11:06 PM	🌓
Sep 20, Sun	6:37 AM	6:53 PM	12h 17m	3:56 PM	12:03 AM	🌓
Sep 21, Mon	6:38 AM	6:51 PM	12h 14m	4:29 PM	1:05 AM	🌔
Sep 22, Tue	6:39 AM	6:50 PM	12h 11m	4:55 PM	2:09 AM	🌔
Sep 23, Wed	6:40 AM	6:48 PM	12h 8m	5:19 PM	3:14 AM	🌔
Sep 24, Thu	6:41 AM	6:46 PM	12h 5m	5:41 PM	4:20 AM	🌔
Sep 25, Fri	6:42 AM	6:44 PM	12h 3m	6:01 PM	5:26 AM	🌕
Sep 26, Sat	6:43 AM	6:43 PM	12h 0m	6:24 PM	6:34 AM	🌕
Sep 27, Sun	6:44 AM	6:41 PM	11h 57m	6:47 PM	7:44 AM	🌕
Sep 28, Mon	6:45 AM	6:39 PM	11h 54m	—	8:57 AM	🌖
Sep 29, Tue	6:46 AM	6:37 PM	11h 51m	7:14 PM	10:13 AM	🌖
Sep 30, Wed	6:47 AM	6:36 PM	11h 49m	7:47 PM	11:30 AM	🌖

Sunrise & Sunset in Chicago, United States

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Moon

Monthly Summary — September 2026

Twilight Phases in Chicago

Holidays in United States

Explore Chicago

Frequently Asked Questions about Sunrise & Sunset in Chicago

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