Sunset & Sunrise Today in Madison, Wisconsin
Sunrise & Sunset Tomorrow in Madison: sunrise 6:04 AM, sunset 7:58 PM.
In Madison, Wisconsin, the sun rises at 6:03 AM and sets at 7:59 PM today, Saturday, August 15, 2026, for a total of 13h 55m of daylight. Local solar noon in Madison falls at 1:02 PM.
Madison lies at latitude 43.07°, 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 2 minutes shorter and 35 seconds. As summer progresses, sunrise and sunset in Madison move a little each day rather than staying fixed.
Golden hour in Madison this evening is roughly 7:21 PM–8:18 PM, the best window for warm, soft photos. The blue hour follows, roughly 8:18 PM to 8:30 PM, as twilight deepens.
Tomorrow, sunset in Madison is at 7:58 PM and sunrise at 6:04 AM — about 2m 36s less daylight than today. The table below shows how sunrise and sunset in Madison drift across the whole year.
It's summer in Madison right now, when daylight is at its most generous. Over the course of the year, sunset in Madison ranges from as early as 4:22 PM (around December 3) to as late as 8:40 PM (around June 20). Its longest day lands on June 21 with 15h 21m of daylight, and its shortest on December 21 with just 8h 59m.
Moon in Madison today
Sunset today: Madison vs nearby cities
| City | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | 6:03 AM | 7:59 PM | 13h 55m |
| Janesville | 6:03 AM | 7:57 PM | 13h 54m |
| Rockford | 6:04 AM | 7:56 PM | 13h 52m |
| Waukesha | 5:59 AM | 7:54 PM | 13h 55m |
| West Allis | 5:58 AM | 7:53 PM | 13h 55m |
Madison sun facts for 2026
- Longest day June 21 — 15h 21m of daylight
- Shortest day December 21 — 8h 59m
- Latest sunset 8:40 PM (June 20)
- Earliest sunset 4:22 PM (December 3)
- Earliest sunrise 5:17 AM (June 13)
- Latest sunrise 7:31 AM (October 31)
Solstices & equinoxes in Madison (2026)
| Event | Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Mar 20, 2026 | 7:00 AM | 7:09 PM | 12h 08m |
| June solstice (longest day) | Jun 21, 2026 | 5:18 AM | 8:40 PM | 15h 21m |
| September equinox | Sep 22, 2026 | 6:45 AM | 6:54 PM | 12h 09m |
| December solstice (shortest day) | Dec 21, 2026 | 7:26 AM | 4:25 PM | 8h 59m |
Madison sunrise & sunset — next 14 days
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat Aug 15 | 6:03 AM | 7:59 PM | 13h 55m | — |
| Sun Aug 16 | 6:04 AM | 7:58 PM | 13h 53m | −2m 36s |
| Mon Aug 17 | 6:05 AM | 7:56 PM | 13h 50m | −2m 37s |
| Tue Aug 18 | 6:07 AM | 7:55 PM | 13h 47m | −2m 38s |
| Wed Aug 19 | 6:08 AM | 7:53 PM | 13h 45m | −2m 39s |
| Thu Aug 20 | 6:09 AM | 7:51 PM | 13h 42m | −2m 40s |
| Fri Aug 21 | 6:10 AM | 7:50 PM | 13h 39m | −2m 41s |
| Sat Aug 22 | 6:11 AM | 7:48 PM | 13h 37m | −2m 42s |
| Sun Aug 23 | 6:12 AM | 7:47 PM | 13h 34m | −2m 43s |
| Mon Aug 24 | 6:13 AM | 7:45 PM | 13h 31m | −2m 44s |
| Tue Aug 25 | 6:14 AM | 7:43 PM | 13h 29m | −2m 44s |
| Wed Aug 26 | 6:15 AM | 7:42 PM | 13h 26m | −2m 45s |
| Thu Aug 27 | 6:16 AM | 7:40 PM | 13h 23m | −2m 46s |
| Fri Aug 28 | 6:17 AM | 7:38 PM | 13h 20m | −2m 46s |
Twilight times in Madison today
| Phase | Begins | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| Astronomical twilight | 4:14 AM | 9:48 PM |
| Nautical twilight | 4:54 AM | 9:08 PM |
| Civil twilight | 5:32 AM | 8:30 PM |
| Morning golden hour | 5:44 AM | 6:41 AM |
| Evening golden hour | 7:21 PM | 8:18 PM |
Civil, nautical and astronomical twilight describe how far the sun is below the horizon.
Sunrise & sunset in Madison by month
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:29 AM | 4:33 PM | 9h 03m |
| February | 7:12 AM | 5:10 PM | 9h 57m |
| March | 6:33 AM | 5:46 PM | 11h 13m |
| April | 6:39 AM | 7:23 PM | 12h 44m |
| May | 5:51 AM | 7:58 PM | 14h 07m |
| June | 5:21 AM | 8:30 PM | 15h 08m |
| July | 5:22 AM | 8:40 PM | 15h 18m |
| August | 5:48 AM | 8:18 PM | 14h 29m |
| September | 6:22 AM | 7:31 PM | 13h 09m |
| October | 6:55 AM | 6:38 PM | 11h 43m |
| November | 6:32 AM | 4:49 PM | 10h 16m |
| December | 7:09 AM | 4:23 PM | 9h 13m |
Times shown for the 1st of each month, local time.
Sunset & sunrise FAQ for Madison
What time is sunset in Madison today?
Sunset in Madison, Wisconsin is at 7:59 PM today. It shifts by a minute or two each day as the seasons change.
What time is sunrise in Madison today?
Sunrise in Madison is at 6:03 AM today, with 13h 55m of daylight to follow.
What time is sunrise in Madison tomorrow?
Sunrise in Madison tomorrow is at 6:04 AM, and sunset tomorrow is at 7:58 PM.
What time is sunset in Madison tomorrow?
Sunset in Madison tomorrow is at 7:58 PM.
How long is the day in Madison today?
Madison gets 13h 55m of daylight today, between sunrise at 6:03 AM and sunset at 7:59 PM.
When is golden hour in Madison?
The evening golden hour in Madison is about 7:21 PM to 8:18 PM today — the warm, soft light ideal for photos.
When is blue hour in Madison?
The evening blue hour in Madison runs from about 8:18 PM to 8:30 PM today, just after sunset.
What time does it get dark in Madison?
After sunset at 7:59 PM, full darkness (the end of twilight) arrives in Madison at around 8:30 PM today.
When is solar noon in Madison?
Solar noon — when the sun is highest in the sky over Madison — is at 1:02 PM today.
Nearest cities to Madison
More cities in Wisconsin
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.