Question 1

How many hours of daylight does Edinburgh get today?

Accepted Answer

Edinburgh currently gets approximately 13 hours and 25 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 56.0° latitude, Edinburgh experiences dramatic swings, from very short winter days to extremely long summer days. Our calculations use the SunCalc astronomical library for accuracy within 1–2 minutes.

Question 2

What time does the sun rise in Edinburgh?

Accepted Answer

Sunrise times in Edinburgh change throughout the year based on the Earth's axial tilt and the city's position at 56.0° 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 Edinburgh?

Accepted Answer

Sunset times in Edinburgh vary by season due to the Earth's orbital mechanics and the city's latitude of 56.0°. 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 high latitudes, sunset times can vary dramatically, with summer evenings lasting well past 9 or 10 PM.

Question 4

How does day length change throughout the year in Edinburgh?

Accepted Answer

Edinburgh is at a high latitude (56.0°), which means dramatic day length changes throughout the year. Summer days can be extremely long with extended twilight, while winter days are very short with the sun barely rising above the horizon. Near the solstices, the difference can be 10+ hours between the longest and shortest days. Extended twilight periods in summer can make it feel like the sun barely sets. These variations make sunrise and sunset times especially important to track throughout the year.

Question 5

What is civil twilight in Edinburgh?

Accepted Answer

Civil twilight in Edinburgh 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 high latitudes, civil twilight can last much longer, sometimes over an hour near the solstices. The exact duration for Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh.

Question 7

When is the longest day in Edinburgh?

Accepted Answer

The longest day in Edinburgh occurs around the summer solstice. For Edinburgh in the Northern Hemisphere, the longest day is around June 20–21. On this date, Edinburgh experiences its earliest sunrise and near-latest sunset of the year. At 56.0° latitude, the longest day can exceed 18 hours, with extended twilight making it feel even longer. The shortest day (winter solstice) occurs approximately six months later.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

Yes, when Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh.

Astronomical Dawn	4:10:09 AM
Nautical Dawn	5:03:43 AM
Civil Dawn	5:51:15 AM
Sunrise	6:29:44 AM
Golden Hour End	7:19:00 AM
Solar Noon	1:12:22 PM
Golden Hour Start	7:05:43 PM
Sunset	7:54:59 PM
Civil Dusk	8:33:28 PM
Nautical Dusk	9:21:00 PM
Astronomical Dusk	10:14:35 PM
Day Length	13h 25m

Moonrise	—
Moonset	6:59:01 PM
Moon Phase	🌘 Waning Crescent
Illumination	16%

Date	Sunrise	Sunset	Day Length	Moonrise	Moonset	Phase
Sep 1, Tue	6:18 AM	8:10 PM	13h 53m	8:41 PM	12:05 PM	🌖
Sep 2, Wed	6:20 AM	8:08 PM	13h 48m	8:55 PM	1:41 PM	🌖
Sep 3, Thu	6:21 AM	8:05 PM	13h 43m	9:22 PM	3:18 PM	🌗
Sep 4, Fri	6:23 AM	8:02 PM	13h 39m	10:04 PM	4:47 PM	🌗
Sep 5, Sat	6:25 AM	8:00 PM	13h 34m	11:13 PM	5:53 PM	🌗
Sep 6, Sun	6:27 AM	7:57 PM	13h 30m	12:44 AM	6:33 PM	🌘
Sep 7, Mon	6:29 AM	7:54 PM	13h 25m	—	6:59 PM	🌘
Sep 8, Tue	6:31 AM	7:52 PM	13h 21m	2:23 AM	7:12 PM	🌘
Sep 9, Wed	6:33 AM	7:49 PM	13h 16m	4:00 AM	7:22 PM	🌑
Sep 10, Thu	6:35 AM	7:47 PM	13h 12m	5:34 AM	7:30 PM	🌑
Sep 11, Fri	6:37 AM	7:44 PM	13h 7m	7:02 AM	7:36 PM	🌑
Sep 12, Sat	6:39 AM	7:41 PM	13h 2m	8:29 AM	7:43 PM	🌑
Sep 13, Sun	6:41 AM	7:39 PM	12h 58m	9:52 AM	7:49 PM	🌒
Sep 14, Mon	6:43 AM	7:36 PM	12h 53m	11:16 AM	7:58 PM	🌒
Sep 15, Tue	6:45 AM	7:33 PM	12h 49m	12:40 PM	8:10 PM	🌒
Sep 16, Wed	6:47 AM	7:31 PM	12h 44m	2:00 PM	8:28 PM	🌒
Sep 17, Thu	6:49 AM	7:28 PM	12h 39m	3:15 PM	8:58 PM	🌓
Sep 18, Fri	6:50 AM	7:25 PM	12h 35m	4:16 PM	9:41 PM	🌓
Sep 19, Sat	6:52 AM	7:23 PM	12h 30m	5:00 PM	10:42 PM	🌓
Sep 20, Sun	6:54 AM	7:20 PM	12h 26m	5:30 PM	11:56 PM	🌓
Sep 21, Mon	6:56 AM	7:17 PM	12h 21m	5:48 PM	—	🌔
Sep 22, Tue	6:58 AM	7:15 PM	12h 16m	6:00 PM	1:15 AM	🌔
Sep 23, Wed	7:00 AM	7:12 PM	12h 12m	6:09 PM	2:37 AM	🌔
Sep 24, Thu	7:02 AM	7:09 PM	12h 7m	6:17 PM	4:00 AM	🌔
Sep 25, Fri	7:04 AM	7:07 PM	12h 3m	6:24 PM	5:20 AM	🌕
Sep 26, Sat	7:06 AM	7:04 PM	11h 58m	6:30 PM	6:44 AM	🌕
Sep 27, Sun	7:08 AM	7:01 PM	11h 53m	6:38 PM	8:09 AM	🌕
Sep 28, Mon	7:10 AM	6:59 PM	11h 49m	6:48 PM	9:39 AM	🌕
Sep 29, Tue	7:12 AM	6:56 PM	11h 44m	7:00 PM	11:13 AM	🌖
Sep 30, Wed	7:14 AM	6:53 PM	11h 39m	7:22 PM	12:51 PM	🌖

Sunrise & Sunset in Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Sun Times

Moon

Monthly Summary — September 2026

Twilight Phases in Edinburgh

Holidays in United Kingdom

Explore Edinburgh

Frequently Asked Questions about Sunrise & Sunset in Edinburgh

Sunrise & Sunset in Other Cities