Sunrise & Sunset Times in Johannesburg, ZA
Today's exact sunrise, sunset, and daylight hours for Johannesburg, South Africa. Plus solar noon, civil twilight, and golden hour times — calculated from Johannesburg's coordinates (26.20° S, 28.05° E).
About sunrise and sunset in Johannesburg
Johannesburg, ZA sits at 26.20° S latitude in the subtropical zone. The longest day of the year here lasts about 13h 36m (around the summer solstice in December), while the shortest day shrinks to 10h 24m — a year-round swing of 3h 18m. Because Johannesburg is in the western part of the Johannesburg time zone, solar noon arrives roughly 112 minutes before clock noon.
Subtropical — distinct but mild seasonal swing. The sun rises roughly east, swinging southeast in summer and northeast in winter, and sets roughly west, swinging southwest in summer and northwest in winter. Civil twilight (the period when the sun is between 0° and 6° below the horizon) lasts approximately 31 minutes around the equinoxes — a noticeable extended dawn and dusk window.
Quick facts for Johannesburg
Solar noon offset reflects Johannesburg's position in its time zone — the further from the time zone's standard meridian, the further the actual midday drifts from 12:00 on the clock.
Sunrise & Sunset in Johannesburg
Today's sunrise and sunset times in Johannesburg, South Africa. See exact sunrise, sunset, and daylight hours for Johannesburg. Updated daily.
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Sunrise and sunset FAQ for Johannesburg
How accurate are the Johannesburg sunrise and sunset times?
Times are calculated using NOAA-grade astronomical algorithms based on Johannesburg's exact coordinates (-26.2041, 28.0473) and time zone (Africa/Johannesburg). Accuracy is typically within 1 minute. Local horizon obstructions (mountains, tall buildings) can shift the visible sunrise/sunset by a few minutes compared to the calculated value.
How long is the longest day of the year in Johannesburg?
At Johannesburg's latitude of 26.20° S, the longest day stretches to about 13h 36m on the December solstice. The shortest day, on the June solstice, is around 10h 24m — a year-round swing of roughly 3h 18m.
When is golden hour in Johannesburg?
Golden hour in Johannesburg occurs in the ~60-minute window after sunrise and before sunset, when the sun is low (typically below 6° elevation) and light is softer and warmer. Photographers favour this window for portraits and landscapes. The exact start/end depends on the season — golden hour is shorter near the equinoxes and longer in winter when the sun travels at a shallower angle.
Do Johannesburg sunrise times change with daylight saving time?
Yes. All times shown here use Johannesburg's local clock, which switches between standard time and daylight saving time on the dates set by US federal law (second Sunday in March, first Sunday in November). The actual position of the sun does not change — only the clock face does. See our Daylight Saving Time guide for the next change date.
In which direction does the sun rise and set in Johannesburg?
In Johannesburg, the sun rises in the east, swinging southeast in summer and northeast in winter, and sets in the west, swinging southwest in summer and northwest in winter. On the equinoxes (around 20 March and 22 September), the sun rises due east and sets due west. Between those dates, the sunrise/sunset points shift along the horizon as Earth's axial tilt changes the sun's declination.
What is solar noon, and when does it happen in Johannesburg?
Solar noon is the moment the sun is at its highest point in the sky for the day. In Johannesburg, solar noon arrives roughly 112 minutes before clock noon, because Johannesburg sits in the western partof its time zone. The exact offset shifts a few minutes through the year due to Earth's elliptical orbit (the "equation of time").