Solar Noon Calculator
Tells you when the Sun reaches its highest point of the day, which is the middle of the day by the Sun rather than the clock.
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The formula
solar noon (minutes UTC) = 720 − 4 × longitude − equation of time height = 90° − |latitude − declination|
The NOAA solar calculation. The Earth turns one degree of longitude every 4 minutes. The equation of time is the gap between clock and sundial, which runs from about −14 to +16 minutes through the year.
What to watch out for
Use it to align a sundial, find true north from a shadow, or plan a solar panel’s peak. At solar noon a vertical stick’s shadow points along the meridian.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is solar noon in London in summer?
On 20 June 2024, at UTC+1, it comes at 13:02, with the Sun 61.9° high.
Why is solar noon not at 12:00?
Time zones are wide and clocks follow the zone, not the place. Daylight saving adds an hour, and the Earth’s tilted, elliptical orbit moves the Sun by up to about a quarter of an hour.