Sunset & Sunrise Today in Columbia, South Carolina
Sunrise & Sunset Tomorrow in Columbia: sunrise 7:30 AM, sunset 6:48 PM.
Today, Thursday, October 15, sunset in Columbia is at 6:49 PM and sunrise was at 7:29 AM, giving Columbia 11h 20m between first and last light. Solar noon, when the sun is highest over Columbia, is at 1:10 PM.
Because Columbia is at 34.00° (the lower mid-latitudes), daylight varies moderately between summer and winter. Each day is currently getting about 2 minutes shorter and 2 seconds. As autumn progresses, sunrise and sunset in Columbia move a little each day rather than staying fixed.
If you're shooting at sunset, aim for Columbia's golden hour, about 6:16 PM to 7:05 PM. The blue hour follows, roughly 7:05 PM to 7:15 PM, as twilight deepens.
Tomorrow, sunset in Columbia is at 6:48 PM and sunrise at 7:30 AM — about 2m 1s less daylight than today. The table below shows how sunrise and sunset in Columbia drift across the whole year.
Autumn has arrived in Columbia, and the days are drawing in. Over the course of the year, sunset in Columbia ranges from as early as 5:14 PM (around November 29) to as late as 8:39 PM (around June 25). Its longest day lands on June 20 with 14h 24m of daylight, and its shortest on December 21 with just 9h 52m.
Moon in Columbia today
Sunset today: Columbia vs nearby cities
| City | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | 7:29 AM | 6:49 PM | 11h 20m |
| Sumter | 7:26 AM | 6:47 PM | 11h 20m |
| Rock Hill | 7:30 AM | 6:48 PM | 11h 18m |
| Rock Hill | 7:30 AM | 6:48 PM | 11h 18m |
| Augusta | 7:32 AM | 6:53 PM | 11h 21m |
Columbia sun facts for 2026
- Longest day June 20 — 14h 24m of daylight
- Shortest day December 21 — 9h 52m
- Latest sunset 8:39 PM (June 25)
- Earliest sunset 5:14 PM (November 29)
- Earliest sunrise 6:12 AM (June 7)
- Latest sunrise 7:43 AM (March 8)
Solstices & equinoxes in Columbia (2026)
| Event | Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Mar 20, 2026 | 7:27 AM | 7:35 PM | 12h 07m |
| June solstice (longest day) | Jun 21, 2026 | 6:13 AM | 8:38 PM | 14h 24m |
| September equinox | Sep 22, 2026 | 7:12 AM | 7:20 PM | 12h 08m |
| December solstice (shortest day) | Dec 21, 2026 | 7:25 AM | 5:18 PM | 9h 52m |
Columbia sunrise & sunset — next 14 days
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu Oct 15 | 7:29 AM | 6:49 PM | 11h 20m | — |
| Fri Oct 16 | 7:30 AM | 6:48 PM | 11h 18m | −2m 01s |
| Sat Oct 17 | 7:31 AM | 6:47 PM | 11h 16m | −2m 02s |
| Sun Oct 18 | 7:31 AM | 6:46 PM | 11h 14m | −2m 00s |
| Mon Oct 19 | 7:32 AM | 6:44 PM | 11h 12m | −2m 01s |
| Tue Oct 20 | 7:33 AM | 6:43 PM | 11h 10m | −2m 00s |
| Wed Oct 21 | 7:34 AM | 6:42 PM | 11h 08m | −1m 59s |
| Thu Oct 22 | 7:35 AM | 6:41 PM | 11h 06m | −1m 58s |
| Fri Oct 23 | 7:36 AM | 6:40 PM | 11h 04m | −1m 58s |
| Sat Oct 24 | 7:36 AM | 6:39 PM | 11h 02m | −1m 58s |
| Sun Oct 25 | 7:37 AM | 6:38 PM | 11h 00m | −1m 56s |
| Mon Oct 26 | 7:38 AM | 6:37 PM | 10h 58m | −1m 56s |
| Tue Oct 27 | 7:39 AM | 6:35 PM | 10h 56m | −1m 55s |
| Wed Oct 28 | 7:40 AM | 6:34 PM | 10h 54m | −1m 55s |
Twilight times in Columbia today
| Phase | Begins | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| Astronomical twilight | 6:05 AM | 8:13 PM |
| Nautical twilight | 6:34 AM | 7:44 PM |
| Civil twilight | 7:03 AM | 7:15 PM |
| Morning golden hour | 7:13 AM | 8:02 AM |
| Evening golden hour | 6:16 PM | 7:05 PM |
Civil, nautical and astronomical twilight describe how far the sun is below the horizon.
Sunrise & sunset in Columbia by month
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:29 AM | 5:25 PM | 9h 55m |
| February | 7:21 AM | 5:54 PM | 10h 33m |
| March | 6:52 AM | 6:20 PM | 11h 27m |
| April | 7:11 AM | 7:44 PM | 12h 33m |
| May | 6:35 AM | 8:07 PM | 13h 32m |
| June | 6:14 AM | 8:30 PM | 14h 15m |
| July | 6:16 AM | 8:39 PM | 14h 22m |
| August | 6:35 AM | 8:24 PM | 13h 48m |
| September | 6:58 AM | 7:49 PM | 12h 51m |
| October | 7:18 AM | 7:08 PM | 11h 49m |
| November | 6:43 AM | 5:30 PM | 10h 47m |
| December | 7:11 AM | 5:14 PM | 10h 02m |
Times shown for the 1st of each month, local time.
Sunset & sunrise FAQ for Columbia
What time is sunset in Columbia today?
Sunset in Columbia, South Carolina is at 6:49 PM today. It shifts by a minute or two each day as the seasons change.
What time is sunrise in Columbia today?
Sunrise in Columbia is at 7:29 AM today, with 11h 20m of daylight to follow.
What time is sunrise in Columbia tomorrow?
Sunrise in Columbia tomorrow is at 7:30 AM, and sunset tomorrow is at 6:48 PM.
What time is sunset in Columbia tomorrow?
Sunset in Columbia tomorrow is at 6:48 PM.
How long is the day in Columbia today?
Columbia gets 11h 20m of daylight today, between sunrise at 7:29 AM and sunset at 6:49 PM.
When is golden hour in Columbia?
The evening golden hour in Columbia is about 6:16 PM to 7:05 PM today — the warm, soft light ideal for photos.
When is blue hour in Columbia?
The evening blue hour in Columbia runs from about 7:05 PM to 7:15 PM today, just after sunset.
What time does it get dark in Columbia?
After sunset at 6:49 PM, full darkness (the end of twilight) arrives in Columbia at around 7:15 PM today.
When is solar noon in Columbia?
Solar noon — when the sun is highest in the sky over Columbia — is at 1:10 PM today.
Nearest cities to Columbia
More cities in South Carolina
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.