Solar Tracking100% client-side. No sensor or calibration data leaves your device.

Sun Compass

See where the Sun is relative to where you're facing. Live solar azimuth, altitude, sunrise, sunset, solar noon, golden hour, and day length.

Enable Location

Location is required to calculate the Sun's position for your exact coordinates.

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Sun Altitude

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Sun Azimuth

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Sun Relative

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Sunrise

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Sunset

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Golden Hour

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Evening

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Solar Noon

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Day Length

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Location

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Orientation

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How the Sun Compass Works

The Sun Compass combines two measurements: the Sun's calculated position (azimuth and altitude) based on your location and time, and your device's current heading from its orientation sensors. The visual compass shows the Sun's direction relative to where you're facing.

Solar position is computed using astronomical algorithms (NOAA Solar Position Algorithm) accounting for date, time, latitude, longitude, timezone, and the equation of time. This gives the Sun's true geometric position — not an approximation.

What information is shown

The tool displays the Sun's azimuth (compass direction in degrees), altitude (angle above the horizon), sunrise and sunset times, solar noon, day length, and golden hour windows for both morning and evening. A visual altitude bar and sun arc on the compass show the Sun's path across the sky.

What can you use this for?

The sun compass is useful for knowing the direction of the Sun at any given time — for planning outdoor activities, understanding natural light in a location, or checking how the Sun aligns with a building or landscape. Golden hour times are especially handy for photography.

You may also like: the online compass, the moon position, the inclinometer or the spirit level.

Sun Compass FAQ

How do I use the online sun compass?▼

Tap Enable Location and then allow orientation access on your phone. The compass shows the Sun's direction (azimuth) and altitude in real time, relative to where your device is pointing. On desktop, solar calculations still work; you can simulate heading by dragging, or scan the QR code to open on your phone.

How can I find the direction of the Sun?▼

The Sun's azimuth shows its geographic direction in degrees (0° = North, 90° = East, 180° = South, 270° = West). On a phone, the tool compares this to your device's heading to tell you whether the Sun is ahead, to your left, to your right, or behind you.

How can I see the Sun's altitude?▼

Sun altitude measures the angle of the Sun above the horizon in degrees. 0° means it is on the horizon, 90° means it is directly overhead. A visual bar and numeric value display this in real time.

Can I see sunrise and sunset times?▼

Yes. The tool shows sunrise and sunset times calculated for your coordinates and today's date. Solar noon (when the Sun reaches its highest point) and total day length are also displayed.

What is golden hour?▼

Golden hour is the period when the Sun is between 0° and 6° above the horizon — shortly after sunrise and before sunset. The warm, directional light is favored in photography. Times shown are based on geometric solar altitude; local terrain may shift visible times.

Can I use the sun compass on my phone?▼

Yes. On a smartphone, the tool uses your location and orientation sensors to show the Sun's direction relative to where you're facing. On a computer, solar calculations still work; you can simulate heading by dragging, or scan the QR code to open on your phone.

100% client-side. No sensor or calibration data leaves your device.

No tracking pixels. No analytics. No account. Sensor data and your calibration live only in this browser tab.