See where the sun will be—and where a shadow will fall
A sun path changes with latitude, season and time of day. This calculator maps the full daily arc and shows solar azimuth, solar elevation, sunrise, solar noon, golden hour, civil twilight and sunset. Add the height of a person, tree, pole or building and it also estimates the shadow's length and direction.
Use it for building orientation, garden sunlight, solar panels, outdoor photography, shade structures or field work. Calculations happen in your browser and can be shared with a URL.
How to use this sun path calculator
- Enter latitude and longitude, use your location, or click and drag the point on the map.
- Choose the date, local clock time and correct UTC offset.
- Enter the height of the object in metres or feet.
- Move the slider to watch the selected sun direction and shadow change through the day.
The orange curve is a sky-dome projection centered on the observer, not a route across the ground. The dotted circle is the horizon: higher sun positions appear closer to the center, while sunrise and sunset sit on the circle. Labels mark two-hour intervals, dashed rays mark sunrise and sunset, and the solid ray marks the selected time. Bearings use true north.
Solar azimuth and elevation
| Measurement | Meaning | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Solar azimuth | Sun direction around the horizon | 0° north, 90° east, 180° south, 270° west |
| Solar elevation | Sun angle above or below the horizon | 0° horizon, 90° overhead |
| Shadow bearing | Direction the shadow points | Solar azimuth + 180° |
How shadow length is calculated
Shadow length = object height ÷ tan(solar elevation).
A two-metre object under a 45° sun has a two-metre shadow. At 30°, its shadow is about 3.46 metres. Near sunrise and sunset, the theoretical shadow becomes extremely long.
Why date, latitude and UTC offset matter
Earth's tilted axis makes the sun trace a higher, longer arc in summer and a lower, shorter arc in winter. Latitude controls that seasonal change. Longitude shifts solar noon relative to civil time, while the UTC offset identifies the correct instant.
Use the offset that applies on the selected date. Daylight-saving time usually adds one hour to the standard offset.
Planning with shadows
Buildings and urban design
Compare winter and summer dates to explore when a wall, tower or tree may shade nearby space. Use a 3D model for a formal solar-access study.
Gardens and solar panels
Check morning, noon and afternoon. A clear astronomical path does not guarantee direct light if a roof, hill or tree blocks the local horizon.
Photography
Azimuth predicts the lit side of a subject; elevation indicates whether light is high and short-shadowed or low and directional.
Accuracy and limitations
- The object is vertical on level ground.
- Buildings, vegetation and terrain are not modeled.
- Sunrise and sunset use the conventional −0.833° altitude.
- Directions use true north, not magnetic north.
- Use a professional model for legal or engineering studies.
Frequently asked questions
Which direction will my shadow point?
Directly away from the sun. A sun azimuth of 120° produces a shadow bearing of 300°.
When is a shadow shortest?
At the day's maximum solar elevation, usually near solar noon—which may not be 12:00 on the clock.
Can it show midnight sun or polar night?
Yes. High-latitude results show 24 hours of daylight or no sunrise when appropriate.
Does height change shadow direction?
No. Height changes length; solar azimuth sets direction.