Sunset & Sunrise Today in Rockford, Illinois
Sunrise & Sunset Tomorrow in Rockford: sunrise 7:10 AM, sunset 6:12 PM.
Today, Thursday, October 15, sunset in Rockford is at 6:14 PM and sunrise was at 7:09 AM, giving Rockford 11h 04m between first and last light. Local solar noon in Rockford falls at 12:42 PM.
Because Rockford is at 42.27° (the mid-latitudes), daylight swings noticeably between the long days of summer and the short days of winter. Each day is currently getting about 2 minutes shorter and 45 seconds. This is autumn in Rockford, so the daily sun times are still on the move.
If you're shooting at sunset, aim for Rockford's golden hour, about 5:36 PM to 6:32 PM. The blue hour follows, roughly 6:32 PM to 6:42 PM, as twilight deepens.
Tomorrow, sunset in Rockford is at 6:12 PM and sunrise at 7:10 AM — about 2m 45s less daylight than today. The table below shows how sunrise and sunset in Rockford drift across the whole year.
It's autumn in Rockford, when sunset creeps earlier each week. Over the course of the year, sunset in Rockford ranges from as early as 4:23 PM (around December 5) to as late as 8:36 PM (around June 20). Its longest day lands on June 20 with 15h 15m of daylight, and its shortest on December 21 with just 9h 04m.
Moon in Rockford today
Sunset today: Rockford vs nearby cities
| City | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockford | 7:09 AM | 6:14 PM | 11h 04m |
| Beloit | 7:09 AM | 6:13 PM | 11h 04m |
| Janesville | 7:09 AM | 6:13 PM | 11h 03m |
| DeKalb | 7:07 AM | 6:13 PM | 11h 05m |
| Crystal Lake | 7:06 AM | 6:10 PM | 11h 04m |
Rockford sun facts for 2026
- Longest day June 20 — 15h 15m of daylight
- Shortest day December 21 — 9h 04m
- Latest sunset 8:36 PM (June 20)
- Earliest sunset 4:23 PM (December 5)
- Earliest sunrise 5:19 AM (June 10)
- Latest sunrise 7:28 AM (October 31)
Solstices & equinoxes in Rockford (2026)
| Event | Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Mar 20, 2026 | 6:59 AM | 7:08 PM | 12h 08m |
| June solstice (longest day) | Jun 21, 2026 | 5:20 AM | 8:36 PM | 15h 15m |
| September equinox | Sep 22, 2026 | 6:44 AM | 6:53 PM | 12h 09m |
| December solstice (shortest day) | Dec 21, 2026 | 7:22 AM | 4:26 PM | 9h 04m |
Rockford sunrise & sunset — next 14 days
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu Oct 15 | 7:09 AM | 6:14 PM | 11h 04m | — |
| Fri Oct 16 | 7:10 AM | 6:12 PM | 11h 01m | −2m 45s |
| Sat Oct 17 | 7:11 AM | 6:10 PM | 10h 59m | −2m 44s |
| Sun Oct 18 | 7:12 AM | 6:09 PM | 10h 56m | −2m 44s |
| Mon Oct 19 | 7:14 AM | 6:07 PM | 10h 53m | −2m 43s |
| Tue Oct 20 | 7:15 AM | 6:06 PM | 10h 50m | −2m 42s |
| Wed Oct 21 | 7:16 AM | 6:04 PM | 10h 48m | −2m 42s |
| Thu Oct 22 | 7:17 AM | 6:03 PM | 10h 45m | −2m 41s |
| Fri Oct 23 | 7:18 AM | 6:01 PM | 10h 42m | −2m 41s |
| Sat Oct 24 | 7:20 AM | 6:00 PM | 10h 40m | −2m 39s |
| Sun Oct 25 | 7:21 AM | 5:58 PM | 10h 37m | −2m 39s |
| Mon Oct 26 | 7:22 AM | 5:57 PM | 10h 34m | −2m 37s |
| Tue Oct 27 | 7:23 AM | 5:56 PM | 10h 32m | −2m 37s |
| Wed Oct 28 | 7:24 AM | 5:54 PM | 10h 29m | −2m 36s |
Twilight times in Rockford today
| Phase | Begins | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| Astronomical twilight | 5:35 AM | 7:47 PM |
| Nautical twilight | 6:08 AM | 7:15 PM |
| Civil twilight | 6:40 AM | 6:42 PM |
| Morning golden hour | 6:51 AM | 7:46 AM |
| Evening golden hour | 5:36 PM | 6:32 PM |
Civil, nautical and astronomical twilight describe how far the sun is below the horizon.
Sunrise & sunset in Rockford by month
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:25 AM | 4:34 PM | 9h 09m |
| February | 7:09 AM | 5:10 PM | 10h 00m |
| March | 6:31 AM | 5:46 PM | 11h 14m |
| April | 6:38 AM | 7:22 PM | 12h 43m |
| May | 5:51 AM | 7:55 PM | 14h 03m |
| June | 5:22 AM | 8:26 PM | 15h 03m |
| July | 5:24 AM | 8:36 PM | 15h 12m |
| August | 5:49 AM | 8:15 PM | 14h 25m |
| September | 6:22 AM | 7:29 PM | 13h 07m |
| October | 6:53 AM | 6:37 PM | 11h 43m |
| November | 6:29 AM | 4:49 PM | 10h 19m |
| December | 7:06 AM | 4:24 PM | 9h 18m |
Times shown for the 1st of each month, local time.
Sunset & sunrise FAQ for Rockford
What time is sunset in Rockford today?
Sunset in Rockford, Illinois is at 6:14 PM today. It shifts by a minute or two each day as the seasons change.
What time is sunrise in Rockford today?
Sunrise in Rockford is at 7:09 AM today, with 11h 04m of daylight to follow.
What time is sunrise in Rockford tomorrow?
Sunrise in Rockford tomorrow is at 7:10 AM, and sunset tomorrow is at 6:12 PM.
What time is sunset in Rockford tomorrow?
Sunset in Rockford tomorrow is at 6:12 PM.
How long is the day in Rockford today?
Rockford gets 11h 04m of daylight today, between sunrise at 7:09 AM and sunset at 6:14 PM.
When is golden hour in Rockford?
The evening golden hour in Rockford is about 5:36 PM to 6:32 PM today — the warm, soft light ideal for photos.
When is blue hour in Rockford?
The evening blue hour in Rockford runs from about 6:32 PM to 6:42 PM today, just after sunset.
What time does it get dark in Rockford?
After sunset at 6:14 PM, full darkness (the end of twilight) arrives in Rockford at around 6:42 PM today.
When is solar noon in Rockford?
Solar noon — when the sun is highest in the sky over Rockford — is at 12:42 PM today.
Nearest cities to Rockford
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Learn more about the sunset
- 🌇 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.