Sun Position Tracker
Track the sun’s current direction and elevation for any location. Switch between live time and a selected date, with a map and local time zone.
Following the sun now
167° SSE · 52.4° elevation · 13:00 · 2026-09-18
Calculated position, updated every 15 seconds in live mode. Not a weather or satellite feed.
Solar times, the sky view and date controls remain available.
Light on this day
Europe/Lisbon · Select any event to move the map to that instant. Times are displayed to the minute; selection keeps the calculated instant.
Sunrise and sunset use an open horizon and atmospheric refraction. Dawn/dusk use the sun’s center at −6°, −12° and −18°. Golden light uses −4° to +6°: a planning convention, not a weather forecast. Calculation notes →
A different season. A different light.
Keep your place and jump through the year.
Find your alignment.
Choose what you want to see from Lisbon, Portugal.
1 Choose your target
The pin is where you stand. Mark the landmark or direction you want the sun to line up with.
2 Choose the light
Set precise angles and tolerance
3 Pick your date range
Select a map target first, or open precise angles to enter a direction.
The target sets a compass direction, not the height of a landmark. Windows show when the Sun’s center is within the selected angular tolerance. Terrain, buildings and weather are not included in this alignment search. Near-horizon geometry is not a guarantee of a visible sunrise.
Sun Position Tracker: Live Azimuth & Elevation
See the calculated sun position now, or pause live tracking to inspect another time. Bearings are measured clockwise from true north; elevation is the sun’s geometric angle above the horizon.
Use this when: You need the current calculated solar direction and elevation, with an easy return to live time after exploring another moment.
What this tool calculates
- Live calculated azimuth and geometric elevation
- Local civil time and time zone
- Map direction, sky view and daily sun path
How to use it
- 01
Choose the observing location
Search for an address, enter coordinates or use your device location. The sun position depends on this point.
- 02
Follow current time
Choose Track the sun now. Live mode updates the calculated position every 15 seconds while the page is open.
- 03
Read direction and height
Azimuth gives a compass bearing; elevation tells you how high the sun is. Negative elevation means the solar center is below the geometric horizon.
- 04
Explore another moment
Changing the date or time pauses live tracking. Resume it with Track the sun now.
How to read the result
Read the model, then check the place
This is an astronomical calculation, not a live satellite image, device compass or weather observation.
Keep the assumptions with the result
Save the scene and export a field sheet to retain coordinates, time zone and the modeled geometry.
Limits you should know
- This is an astronomical calculation, not a live satellite image, device compass or weather observation.
- Live mode updates every 15 seconds. Your browser may throttle updates in a background tab.
- A positive solar elevation does not guarantee an unobstructed view.
Questions about this calculator
How do I track the sun right now?
Choose a location and press Track the sun now. Live mode refreshes the astronomical position every 15 seconds while the page is active. Choosing a date or time switches to exploration.
What do azimuth and elevation mean?
Azimuth is the compass bearing measured clockwise from true north: east is 90°, south 180° and west 270°. Elevation is the geometric solar-center angle above the horizon; a negative value means it is below that horizon.
Does the tracker use my phone compass?
No. It calculates the sun position from coordinates and time. Device location can supply coordinates with your permission, but the page is not a calibrated compass or an augmented-reality camera.
Methodology version 2.0 · Reviewed September 20, 2026