Sunset & Sunrise Today in Des Moines, Iowa
Sunrise & Sunset Tomorrow in Des Moines: sunrise 5:54 AM, sunset 8:46 PM.
Today, Wednesday, July 15, sunset in Des Moines is at 8:46 PM and sunrise was at 5:53 AM, giving Des Moines 14h 52m between first and last light. Solar noon, when the sun is highest over Des Moines, is at 1:20 PM.
Des Moines lies at latitude 41.60°, in the mid-latitudes, where 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 25 seconds. Through summer, the sunset time in Des Moines keeps shifting, which is why it pays to check the exact figure day by day.
For photographers, the evening golden hour in Des Moines runs from about 8:06 PM to 9:07 PM — that warm, low, flattering light just before sunset. The blue hour follows, roughly 9:07 PM to 9:20 PM, as twilight deepens.
Tomorrow, sunset in Des Moines is at 8:46 PM and sunrise at 5:54 AM — about 1m 27s less daylight than today. The table below shows how sunrise and sunset in Des Moines drift across the whole year.
It's summer in Des Moines right now, when daylight is at its most generous. Over the course of the year, sunset in Des Moines ranges from as early as 4:43 PM (around December 6) to as late as 8:52 PM (around June 22). Its longest day lands on June 21 with 15h 11m of daylight, and its shortest on December 21 with just 9h 09m.
Moon in Des Moines today
Sunset today: Des Moines vs nearby cities
| City | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | 5:53 AM | 8:46 PM | 14h 52m |
| Waterloo | 5:45 AM | 8:44 PM | 14h 58m |
Des Moines sun facts for 2026
- Longest day June 21 — 15h 11m of daylight
- Shortest day December 21 — 9h 09m
- Latest sunset 8:52 PM (around June 22)
- Earliest sunset 4:43 PM (around December 6)
- Earliest sunrise 5:39 AM (around June 13)
- Latest sunrise 7:45 AM (around October 31)
Solstices & equinoxes in Des Moines (2026)
| Event | Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Mar 20, 2026 | 7:17 AM | 7:26 PM | 12h 08m |
| June solstice (longest day) | Jun 21, 2026 | 5:40 AM | 8:51 PM | 15h 11m |
| September equinox | Sep 22, 2026 | 7:02 AM | 7:11 PM | 12h 08m |
| December solstice (shortest day) | Dec 21, 2026 | 7:38 AM | 4:47 PM | 9h 09m |
Des Moines sunrise & sunset — next 14 days
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed Jul 15 | 5:53 AM | 8:46 PM | 14h 52m | — |
| Thu Jul 16 | 5:54 AM | 8:46 PM | 14h 51m | −1m 27s |
| Fri Jul 17 | 5:55 AM | 8:45 PM | 14h 49m | −1m 31s |
| Sat Jul 18 | 5:56 AM | 8:44 PM | 14h 48m | −1m 33s |
| Sun Jul 19 | 5:57 AM | 8:43 PM | 14h 46m | −1m 37s |
| Mon Jul 20 | 5:58 AM | 8:43 PM | 14h 45m | −1m 38s |
| Tue Jul 21 | 5:58 AM | 8:42 PM | 14h 43m | −1m 42s |
| Wed Jul 22 | 5:59 AM | 8:41 PM | 14h 41m | −1m 44s |
| Thu Jul 23 | 6:00 AM | 8:40 PM | 14h 39m | −1m 46s |
| Fri Jul 24 | 6:01 AM | 8:39 PM | 14h 38m | −1m 49s |
| Sat Jul 25 | 6:02 AM | 8:38 PM | 14h 36m | −1m 51s |
| Sun Jul 26 | 6:03 AM | 8:37 PM | 14h 34m | −1m 54s |
| Mon Jul 27 | 6:04 AM | 8:36 PM | 14h 32m | −1m 56s |
| Tue Jul 28 | 6:05 AM | 8:35 PM | 14h 30m | −1m 58s |
Twilight times in Des Moines today
| Phase | Begins | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| Astronomical twilight | 3:50 AM | 10:49 PM |
| Nautical twilight | 4:38 AM | 10:01 PM |
| Civil twilight | 5:20 AM | 9:20 PM |
| Morning golden hour | 5:33 AM | 6:33 AM |
| Evening golden hour | 8:06 PM | 9:07 PM |
Civil, nautical and astronomical twilight describe how far the sun is below the horizon — useful for photographers, sailors and stargazers in Des Moines.
Sunrise & sunset in Des Moines by month
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:41 AM | 4:54 PM | 9h 13m |
| February | 7:26 AM | 5:30 PM | 10h 03m |
| March | 6:49 AM | 6:04 PM | 11h 15m |
| April | 6:57 AM | 7:39 PM | 12h 42m |
| May | 6:11 AM | 8:12 PM | 14h 01m |
| June | 5:42 AM | 8:42 PM | 14h 59m |
| July | 5:44 AM | 8:52 PM | 15h 07m |
| August | 6:09 AM | 8:31 PM | 14h 22m |
| September | 6:40 AM | 7:47 PM | 13h 06m |
| October | 7:11 AM | 6:55 PM | 11h 44m |
| November | 6:46 AM | 5:08 PM | 10h 21m |
| December | 7:22 AM | 4:44 PM | 9h 22m |
Times shown for the 1st of each month, local time in Des Moines.
Sunset & sunrise FAQ for Des Moines
What time is sunset in Des Moines today?
Sunset in Des Moines, Iowa is at 8:46 PM today. It shifts by a minute or two each day as the seasons change.
What time is sunrise in Des Moines today?
Sunrise in Des Moines is at 5:53 AM today, with 14h 52m of daylight to follow.
What time is sunrise in Des Moines tomorrow?
Sunrise in Des Moines tomorrow is at 5:54 AM, and sunset tomorrow is at 8:46 PM.
What time is sunset in Des Moines tomorrow?
Sunset in Des Moines tomorrow is at 8:46 PM.
How long is the day in Des Moines today?
Des Moines gets 14h 52m of daylight today, between sunrise at 5:53 AM and sunset at 8:46 PM.
When is golden hour in Des Moines?
The evening golden hour in Des Moines is about 8:06 PM to 9:07 PM today — the warm, soft light ideal for photos.
When is blue hour in Des Moines?
The evening blue hour in Des Moines runs from about 9:07 PM to 9:20 PM today, just after sunset.
What time does it get dark in Des Moines?
After sunset at 8:46 PM, full darkness (the end of twilight) arrives in Des Moines at around 9:20 PM today.
When is solar noon in Des Moines?
Solar noon — when the sun is highest in the sky over Des Moines — is at 1:20 PM today.
Sunset times in cities near Des Moines
Sunrise & sunset times in more Iowa cities
Sunset card for Des Moines
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.