Sunrise & Sunset Times in Philadelphia, PA
Today's exact sunrise, sunset, and daylight hours for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Plus solar noon, civil twilight, and golden hour times — calculated from Philadelphia's coordinates (39.95° N, 75.17° W).
About sunrise and sunset in Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA sits at 39.95° N latitude in the temperate zone. The longest day of the year here lasts about 14h 48m (around the summer solstice in June), while the shortest day shrinks to 9h 12m — a year-round swing of 5h 42m. Because Philadelphia is in the central part of the New York time zone, solar noon falls close to 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 Philadelphia
Solar noon offset reflects Philadelphia'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 Philadelphia
Today's sunrise and sunset times in Philadelphia, PA. See exact sunrise, sunset, and daylight hours for Philadelphia. Updated daily.
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Sunrise and sunset FAQ for Philadelphia
How accurate are the Philadelphia sunrise and sunset times?
Times are calculated using NOAA-grade astronomical algorithms based on Philadelphia's exact coordinates (39.9526, -75.1652) and time zone (America/New_York). 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 Philadelphia?
At Philadelphia's latitude of 39.95° N, the longest day stretches to about 14h 48m on the June solstice. The shortest day, on the December solstice, is around 9h 12m — a year-round swing of roughly 5h 42m.
When is golden hour in Philadelphia?
Golden hour in Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia sunrise times change with daylight saving time?
Yes. All times shown here use Philadelphia'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 Philadelphia?
In Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia?
Solar noon is the moment the sun is at its highest point in the sky for the day. In Philadelphia, solar noon arrives roughly right at clock noon, because Philadelphia 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").