Solar Noon Calculator
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Current Local Time
—This solar noon calculator shows the exact time the sun reaches its highest point in the sky for any location and date.
What Is Solar Noon?
Solar noon is the moment when the sun reaches its highest altitude in the sky for a given day, crossing the observer's local meridian at its peak elevation. It represents the midpoint between sunrise and sunset. Solar noon rarely falls at exactly 12:00 PM on the clock because of the equation of time — a correction for the Earth's elliptical orbit and axial tilt — and because your longitude may not align with the center of your time zone.
The equation of time can shift solar noon by as much as 16 minutes earlier or 14 minutes later than clock noon. Combined with your longitude offset within the time zone, solar noon can land anywhere from roughly 11:43 AM to 12:16 PM for locations in the middle of a time zone, and even further for locations near time zone edges. Understanding this discrepancy is essential for solar panel optimization, sundial calibration, and anyone who wants to know when the sun is truly at its peak.
How Our Solar Noon Calculator Works
Our solar noon calculator computes the exact time the sun crosses your local meridian by calculating the solar declination and hour angle for your coordinates and date. It applies the equation of time correction and accounts for your longitude offset within the time zone, using the SunCalc library with standard atmospheric refraction of 0.833° applied.
The tool delivers solar noon accurate to the nearest second for any location on Earth, running entirely in your browser. No data is sent to any server — the entire computation is local and instant.
FAQ — Solar Noon Calculator
What time is solar noon at my location today?
Use the calculator above to find today's exact solar noon. In my experience, most people are surprised that it rarely falls at 12:00 PM. In New York, solar noon is typically around 12:58 PM EDT in summer — nearly an hour after clock noon. The offset depends on your longitude within the time zone and the equation of time.
Why isn't solar noon always at 12:00 PM?
Two factors prevent this: longitude offset (if you're not at the exact center of your time zone) and the equation of time (Earth's elliptical orbit and axial tilt create a ±16-minute variation throughout the year). I've noticed that in early November, the equation of time adds about 16 minutes, making solar noon the latest it gets. In mid-February, it subtracts about 14 minutes, making solar noon the earliest.
Does solar noon change throughout the year?
Yes — the equation of time causes solar noon to drift by up to 30 minutes across the year, even at the same location. The pattern repeats annually: solar noon is earliest around February 12 and latest around November 3. If you also change time zones (DST), the displayed solar noon shifts by a full hour. The calculator tracks these changes automatically.
How does solar noon affect solar panel output?
Solar panels produce maximum output when the sun is highest in the sky — at solar noon. Panel efficiency drops significantly at low sun angles. I've found that understanding the exact solar noon timing helps optimize panel tilt and orientation for maximum annual energy production. Panels tilted toward true south (in the Northern Hemisphere) should face the sun at solar noon for best results.
Can I calibrate a sundial with this calculator?
Absolutely — a properly calibrated sundial should show its indicator aligned with the 12:00 mark at the exact moment of solar noon. Use the calculator to find solar noon, then check your sundial. Any deviation indicates the sundial needs adjustment. Remember that sundials show apparent solar time, which differs from clock time by the equation of time.