Sunset & Sunrise Today in Washington, District of Columbia
Sunrise & Sunset Tomorrow in Washington: sunrise 5:56 AM, sunset 8:31 PM.
In Washington, District of Columbia, the sun rises at 5:55 AM and sets at 8:32 PM today, Wednesday, July 15, 2026, for a total of 14h 37m of daylight. Solar noon, when the sun is highest over Washington, is at 1:14 PM.
Because Washington is at 38.90° (the mid-latitudes), daylight swings noticeably between the long days of summer and the short days of winter. Each day is currently getting about 1 minute shorter and 15 seconds. As summer progresses, sunrise and sunset in Washington move a little each day rather than staying fixed.
For photographers, the evening golden hour in Washington runs from about 7:54 PM to 8:52 PM — that warm, low, flattering light just before sunset. The blue hour follows, roughly 8:52 PM to 9:04 PM, as twilight deepens.
Tomorrow, sunset in Washington is at 8:31 PM and sunrise at 5:56 AM — about 1m 19s less daylight than today. The table below shows how sunrise and sunset in Washington drift across the whole year.
It's summer in Washington right now, when daylight is at its most generous. Over the course of the year, sunset in Washington ranges from as early as 4:45 PM (around December 3) to as late as 8:37 PM (around June 23). Its longest day lands on June 20 with 14h 53m of daylight, and its shortest on December 21 with just 9h 25m.
Moon in Washington today
Sunset today: Washington vs nearby cities
| City | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 5:55 AM | 8:32 PM | 14h 37m |
| Downtown DC | 5:55 AM | 8:32 PM | 14h 37m |
| Columbia Heights | 5:55 AM | 8:32 PM | 14h 37m |
| Mount Pleasant | 5:55 AM | 8:32 PM | 14h 37m |
| Central 14th Street / Spring Road | 5:55 AM | 8:32 PM | 14h 37m |
Washington sun facts for 2026
- Longest day June 20 — 14h 53m of daylight
- Shortest day December 21 — 9h 25m
- Latest sunset 8:37 PM (around June 23)
- Earliest sunset 4:45 PM (around December 3)
- Earliest sunrise 5:42 AM (around June 8)
- Latest sunrise 7:34 AM (around October 31)
Solstices & equinoxes in Washington (2026)
| Event | Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Mar 20, 2026 | 7:11 AM | 7:19 PM | 12h 08m |
| June solstice (longest day) | Jun 21, 2026 | 5:43 AM | 8:36 PM | 14h 53m |
| September equinox | Sep 22, 2026 | 6:56 AM | 7:04 PM | 12h 08m |
| December solstice (shortest day) | Dec 21, 2026 | 7:23 AM | 4:49 PM | 9h 25m |
Washington sunrise & sunset — next 14 days
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed Jul 15 | 5:55 AM | 8:32 PM | 14h 37m | — |
| Thu Jul 16 | 5:56 AM | 8:31 PM | 14h 35m | −1m 19s |
| Fri Jul 17 | 5:56 AM | 8:31 PM | 14h 34m | −1m 21s |
| Sat Jul 18 | 5:57 AM | 8:30 PM | 14h 32m | −1m 24s |
| Sun Jul 19 | 5:58 AM | 8:30 PM | 14h 31m | −1m 26s |
| Mon Jul 20 | 5:59 AM | 8:29 PM | 14h 30m | −1m 29s |
| Tue Jul 21 | 6:00 AM | 8:28 PM | 14h 28m | −1m 31s |
| Wed Jul 22 | 6:00 AM | 8:27 PM | 14h 26m | −1m 33s |
| Thu Jul 23 | 6:01 AM | 8:27 PM | 14h 25m | −1m 36s |
| Fri Jul 24 | 6:02 AM | 8:26 PM | 14h 23m | −1m 38s |
| Sat Jul 25 | 6:03 AM | 8:25 PM | 14h 22m | −1m 40s |
| Sun Jul 26 | 6:04 AM | 8:24 PM | 14h 20m | −1m 42s |
| Mon Jul 27 | 6:05 AM | 8:23 PM | 14h 18m | −1m 44s |
| Tue Jul 28 | 6:05 AM | 8:22 PM | 14h 16m | −1m 46s |
Twilight times in Washington today
| Phase | Begins | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| Astronomical twilight | 4:01 AM | 10:26 PM |
| Nautical twilight | 4:45 AM | 9:42 PM |
| Civil twilight | 5:23 AM | 9:04 PM |
| Morning golden hour | 5:35 AM | 6:33 AM |
| Evening golden hour | 7:54 PM | 8:52 PM |
Civil, nautical and astronomical twilight describe how far the sun is below the horizon — useful for photographers, sailors and stargazers in Washington.
Sunrise & sunset in Washington by month
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:27 AM | 4:56 PM | 9h 29m |
| February | 7:14 AM | 5:29 PM | 10h 14m |
| March | 6:40 AM | 6:00 PM | 11h 20m |
| April | 6:52 AM | 7:31 PM | 12h 38m |
| May | 6:10 AM | 8:00 PM | 13h 50m |
| June | 5:44 AM | 8:27 PM | 14h 42m |
| July | 5:46 AM | 8:37 PM | 14h 50m |
| August | 6:09 AM | 8:18 PM | 14h 09m |
| September | 6:37 AM | 7:38 PM | 13h 00m |
| October | 7:04 AM | 6:50 PM | 11h 46m |
| November | 6:35 AM | 5:07 PM | 10h 31m |
| December | 7:08 AM | 4:46 PM | 9h 38m |
Times shown for the 1st of each month, local time in Washington.
Sunset & sunrise FAQ for Washington
What time is sunset in Washington today?
Sunset in Washington, District of Columbia is at 8:32 PM today. It shifts by a minute or two each day as the seasons change.
What time is sunrise in Washington today?
Sunrise in Washington is at 5:55 AM today, with 14h 37m of daylight to follow.
What time is sunrise in Washington tomorrow?
Sunrise in Washington tomorrow is at 5:56 AM, and sunset tomorrow is at 8:31 PM.
What time is sunset in Washington tomorrow?
Sunset in Washington tomorrow is at 8:31 PM.
How long is the day in Washington today?
Washington gets 14h 37m of daylight today, between sunrise at 5:55 AM and sunset at 8:32 PM.
When is golden hour in Washington?
The evening golden hour in Washington is about 7:54 PM to 8:52 PM today — the warm, soft light ideal for photos.
When is blue hour in Washington?
The evening blue hour in Washington runs from about 8:52 PM to 9:04 PM today, just after sunset.
What time does it get dark in Washington?
After sunset at 8:32 PM, full darkness (the end of twilight) arrives in Washington at around 9:04 PM today.
When is solar noon in Washington?
Solar noon — when the sun is highest in the sky over Washington — is at 1:14 PM today.
Sunset times in cities near Washington
- Downtown DCDC
- Columbia HeightsDC
- Mount PleasantDC
- Central 14th Street / Spring RoadDC
- ArlingtonVA
- AlexandriaVA
- Silver SpringMD
- RockvilleMD
Sunrise & sunset times in more District of Columbia cities
Sunset card for Washington
Learn more about sunset, sunrise & twilight
- 🌇 What is golden hour?Golden hour is the warm, soft light just after sunrise and before sunset. Learn what it is, when it happens, how long it lasts, and how to use it.
- 🌆 What is blue hour?Discover what blue hour is, when it happens, how it differs from golden hour, and expert tips for photographing the soft blue twilight. Check exact blue.
- 🌌 Twilight explained: civil, nautical & astronomicalLearn the three phases of twilight—civil, nautical, astronomical—and what they mean for photographers, stargazers, and sunset lovers.
- 🌅 Why are sunsets red and orange?Discover the science behind red and orange sunsets, from Rayleigh scattering to air quality. Learn when and where to see the most vivid colors.
- 📸 The best time to photograph a sunsetDiscover the best time to photograph a sunset, from golden hour to blue hour. Learn exact timing, camera settings, and composition tips for stunning shots.
- ☀️ What is solar noon?Solar noon is when the sun reaches its highest point. Learn why it rarely matches 12:00 PM and how to find your exact solar noon.
- 📈 Why days get longer and shorter through the yearEarth's axial tilt drives seasonal day-length changes. Learn how solstices, equinoxes, and latitude affect daylight where you live.
- 🌞 The summer solstice explainedWhat causes the summer solstice, when it happens, and how it affects sunset times. Discover the science and beauty of the year's longest day.