GoldCast · Golden Hour Timing + Quality
When Is Golden Hour Tonight?
GoldCast shows tonight's exact golden hour window for any location — plus a quality score so you know if the light is worth chasing, not just when it happens.
iOS app: $2.99/mo · 7-day free trial · Cancel anytime
Timing guide
When Golden Hour Happens and How Long It Lasts
Golden hour starts roughly 60 minutes before sunset and ends when the sun drops below the horizon. At high latitudes in summer, the shallow sun angle extends it to 90 minutes or longer. At tropical latitudes, it can be as short as 15 to 20 minutes. The exact window changes every day as sunset time shifts throughout the year — GoldCast calculates it for your specific location and date.
Blue Hour AM
30 min before sunrise
Cool even light. Cityscape & long exposure.
Golden Hour AM
Sunrise → +60 min
Warm directional light. Often less crowded.
Golden Hour PM
−60 min → sunset
Classic warm light. Most searched window.
Timing alone isn't enough
Knowing When Is Only Half the Answer
A sunrise at 6:04am tells you when to set your alarm. It doesn't tell you whether the sky will be flat grey or burning orange. GoldCast gives you both: the exact golden hour window and a quality score from 0 to 100 based on cloud cover, atmospheric transparency, and horizon conditions. A score above 70 is worth going out for. Below 45, stay home.
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Get notified when golden hour will be exceptional
The LightCast iOS app sends a push notification when tonight's GoldCast score hits your threshold for your saved locations. Know before you make plans — not when you're already home.
The free web tool at lightcastsuite.com/goldcast gives you golden hour timing and the quality score for any location. On iOS, you get push notifications, saved locations, and multi-day comparison — so you can plan shoots a day or two out instead of checking every evening.
Common Questions
When is golden hour tonight?
Golden hour starts approximately
60 minutes before sunset and ends at sunset. The exact time varies by your location and the time of year. Check
lightcastsuite.com/goldcast for tonight's exact start and end time for any location, plus a quality score so you know if it's worth going out.
How long does golden hour last?
Typically 20 to 60 minutes depending on your latitude and season. High latitudes in summer can stretch to 90 minutes or more as the sun sets at a shallow angle. Tropical latitudes can be as short as 15 minutes. GoldCast shows the exact window for your location.
Is there a golden hour in the morning?
Yes. The hour after sunrise produces equivalent golden light to the hour before sunset — often more vivid, as overnight air is typically calmer and cleaner. Sunrise golden hour also tends to have fewer people at popular locations. GoldCast scores both windows.
What is the best time to take photos outside?
Golden hour — the 60 minutes before sunset and 60 minutes after sunrise — produces the best directional light for most outdoor photography. Blue hour, the 20–30 minutes after sunset and before sunrise, produces cooler, even light that works well for cityscapes. Midday direct sun is the hardest to work with for most subjects.
What is LightCast GoldCast?
GoldCast shows the exact golden hour window for any location alongside a quality score from 0 to 100. It factors in cloud cover at all layers, horizon clarity, atmospheric transparency, and humidity. Free at
lightcastsuite.com/goldcast, with push notifications and saved locations in the
iOS app.
