Question 1

How many hours of daylight does Colombo get today?

Accepted Answer

Colombo currently gets approximately 12 hours and 12 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. Because Colombo is near the equator, day length stays relatively consistent, typically between 11 and 13 hours. Our calculations use the SunCalc astronomical library for accuracy within 1–2 minutes.

Question 2

What time does the sun rise in Colombo?

Accepted Answer

Sunrise times in Colombo change throughout the year based on the Earth's axial tilt and the city's position at 6.9° 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. Near the equator, sunrise times vary by less than an hour across the year. All sunrise calculations are based on NOAA solar position algorithms via the SunCalc library.

Question 3

What time does the sun set in Colombo?

Accepted Answer

Sunset times in Colombo vary by season due to the Earth's orbital mechanics and the city's latitude of 6.9°. 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. Near the equator, sunset times remain fairly consistent throughout the year, typically varying by less than an hour.

Question 4

How does day length change throughout the year in Colombo?

Accepted Answer

Colombo is located near the equator at 6.9° latitude, so day length varies relatively little throughout the year — typically between about 11 and 13 hours. The sun rises and sets at roughly the same time year-round, and twilight transitions are short and abrupt compared to higher latitudes. This consistency makes Colombo one of the more predictable locations for planning outdoor activities. The slight variation that does occur peaks around the equinoxes in March and September.

Question 5

What is civil twilight in Colombo?

Accepted Answer

Civil twilight in Colombo 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). Near the equator, civil twilight is relatively short, typically lasting only 20–25 minutes. The exact duration for Colombo 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 Colombo.

Question 7

When is the longest day in Colombo?

Accepted Answer

The longest day in Colombo occurs around the summer solstice. For Colombo in the Northern Hemisphere, the longest day is around June 20–21. On this date, Colombo experiences its earliest sunrise and near-latest sunset of the year. Near the equator, the longest day is only slightly longer than the shortest, differing by about 1–2 hours. The shortest day (winter solstice) occurs approximately six months later.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

Colombo does not observe daylight saving time, so sunrise and sunset times change only due to natural seasonal variation throughout the year. The gradual shift in sunrise and sunset times follows a smooth curve driven by the Earth's axial tilt and orbital position. This makes it easier to predict sunrise and sunset patterns in Colombo compared to cities that observe DST, where clock changes create abrupt jumps in the schedule.

Astronomical Dawn	4:53:57 AM
Nautical Dawn	5:18:22 AM
Civil Dawn	5:42:44 AM
Sunrise	6:03:41 AM
Golden Hour End	6:31:20 AM
Solar Noon	12:09:54 PM
Golden Hour Start	5:48:27 PM
Sunset	6:16:07 PM
Civil Dusk	6:37:04 PM
Nautical Dusk	7:01:26 PM
Astronomical Dusk	7:25:50 PM
Day Length	12h 12m

Moonrise	4:19:21 AM
Moonset	4:12:54 PM
Moon Phase	🌘 Waning Crescent
Illumination	10%

Date	Sunrise	Sunset	Day Length	Moonrise	Moonset	Phase
Sep 1, Tue	6:04 AM	6:19 PM	12h 15m	9:19 PM	9:11 AM	🌖
Sep 2, Wed	6:04 AM	6:19 PM	12h 15m	10:11 PM	10:07 AM	🌖
Sep 3, Thu	6:04 AM	6:18 PM	12h 14m	11:08 PM	11:06 AM	🌗
Sep 4, Fri	6:04 AM	6:18 PM	12h 14m	12:10 AM	12:10 PM	🌗
Sep 5, Sat	6:04 AM	6:17 PM	12h 14m	1:15 AM	1:15 PM	🌗
Sep 6, Sun	6:04 AM	6:17 PM	12h 13m	2:19 AM	2:19 PM	🌘
Sep 7, Mon	6:03 AM	6:16 PM	12h 13m	3:21 AM	3:18 PM	🌘
Sep 8, Tue	6:03 AM	6:16 PM	12h 12m	4:19 AM	4:12 PM	🌘
Sep 9, Wed	6:03 AM	6:15 PM	12h 12m	5:13 AM	5:01 PM	🌘
Sep 10, Thu	6:03 AM	6:15 PM	12h 12m	—	5:47 PM	🌑
Sep 11, Fri	6:03 AM	6:14 PM	12h 11m	6:03 AM	6:30 PM	🌑
Sep 12, Sat	6:03 AM	6:13 PM	12h 11m	6:51 AM	7:11 PM	🌑
Sep 13, Sun	6:02 AM	6:13 PM	12h 11m	7:38 AM	7:52 PM	🌒
Sep 14, Mon	6:02 AM	6:12 PM	12h 10m	8:26 AM	8:34 PM	🌒
Sep 15, Tue	6:02 AM	6:12 PM	12h 10m	9:15 AM	9:18 PM	🌒
Sep 16, Wed	6:02 AM	6:11 PM	12h 9m	10:04 AM	10:04 PM	🌒
Sep 17, Thu	6:02 AM	6:11 PM	12h 9m	10:55 AM	10:52 PM	🌓
Sep 18, Fri	6:01 AM	6:10 PM	12h 9m	11:46 AM	11:43 PM	🌓
Sep 19, Sat	6:01 AM	6:10 PM	12h 8m	12:36 PM	12:34 AM	🌓
Sep 20, Sun	6:01 AM	6:09 PM	12h 8m	1:26 PM	1:25 AM	🌓
Sep 21, Mon	6:01 AM	6:08 PM	12h 8m	2:14 PM	2:15 AM	🌔
Sep 22, Tue	6:01 AM	6:08 PM	12h 7m	2:58 PM	3:03 AM	🌔
Sep 23, Wed	6:01 AM	6:07 PM	12h 7m	3:40 PM	3:50 AM	🌔
Sep 24, Thu	6:00 AM	6:07 PM	12h 6m	4:21 PM	4:37 AM	🌔
Sep 25, Fri	6:00 AM	6:06 PM	12h 6m	5:02 PM	5:24 AM	🌕
Sep 26, Sat	6:00 AM	6:06 PM	12h 6m	5:42 PM	—	🌕
Sep 27, Sun	6:00 AM	6:05 PM	12h 5m	6:25 PM	6:11 AM	🌕
Sep 28, Mon	6:00 AM	6:05 PM	12h 5m	7:11 PM	7:01 AM	🌕
Sep 29, Tue	6:00 AM	6:04 PM	12h 5m	8:01 PM	7:55 AM	🌖
Sep 30, Wed	5:59 AM	6:04 PM	12h 4m	8:55 PM	8:53 AM	🌖

Sunrise & Sunset in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Sun Times

Moon

Monthly Summary — September 2026

Twilight Phases in Colombo

Explore Colombo

Frequently Asked Questions about Sunrise & Sunset in Colombo

Sunrise & Sunset in Other Cities