Sunrise & Sunset Times in Lincoln, NE
Today's exact sunrise, sunset, and daylight hours for Lincoln, Nebraska. Plus solar noon, civil twilight, and golden hour times — calculated from Lincoln's coordinates (40.81° N, 96.70° W).
About sunrise and sunset in Lincoln
Lincoln, NE sits at 40.81° N latitude in the temperate zone. The longest day of the year here lasts about 14h 54m (around the summer solstice in June), while the shortest day shrinks to 9h 6m — a year-round swing of 5h 54m. Because Lincoln is in the central part of the Chicago time zone, solar noon arrives roughly 27 minutes after clock noon.
Mid-latitude temperate — pronounced summer/winter day-length difference. The sun rises roughly east, swinging northeast in summer and southeast in winter, and sets roughly west, swinging northwest in summer and southwest in winter. Civil twilight (the period when the sun is between 0° and 6° below the horizon) lasts approximately 35 minutes around the equinoxes — a noticeable extended dawn and dusk window.
Quick facts for Lincoln
Solar noon offset reflects Lincoln'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 Lincoln
Today's sunrise and sunset times in Lincoln, NE. See exact sunrise, sunset, and daylight hours for Lincoln. Updated daily.
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Sunrise and sunset FAQ for Lincoln
How accurate are the Lincoln sunrise and sunset times?
Times are calculated using NOAA-grade astronomical algorithms based on Lincoln's exact coordinates (40.8136, -96.7026) and time zone (America/Chicago). 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 Lincoln?
At Lincoln's latitude of 40.81° N, the longest day stretches to about 14h 54m on the June solstice. The shortest day, on the December solstice, is around 9h 6m — a year-round swing of roughly 5h 54m.
When is golden hour in Lincoln?
Golden hour in Lincoln 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 Lincoln sunrise times change with daylight saving time?
Yes. All times shown here use Lincoln'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 Lincoln?
In Lincoln, the sun rises in the east, swinging northeast in summer and southeast in winter, and sets in the west, swinging northwest in summer and southwest 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 Lincoln?
Solar noon is the moment the sun is at its highest point in the sky for the day. In Lincoln, solar noon arrives roughly 27 minutes after clock noon, because Lincoln sits in the central partof its time zone. The exact offset shifts a few minutes through the year due to Earth's elliptical orbit (the "equation of time").