Sun & Golden-Hour Calculator

Best time to photograph any property — sunrise, sunset, golden hour & roof sun exposure
Loading map…
Date:
Finding the best light…
Not this place? Search the property address above.
Best days to photograph — next 14 days
—
—
— sunrisesunset —
Sun now Sunrise Sunset Shadow

Best time to shoot this façade

—
Front façade in direct sun · today
12a6a12p6p12a

Checking conditions…

Checking airspace…

—
—

Roof pitchPitch
Direct sun per roof face · today
Shadow at —
length & direction a vertical object (tree, chimney, wall) casts at this time
—
Object height ft
Sun window per face · today — yellow = in direct sun (plan the shaded side first)
12a6a12p6p12a

Sunrise
—
—
Sunset
—
—
Solar noon
—
—
Day length
—
 
Golden hr AM
—
after sunrise
Golden hr PM
—
before sunset
First light
—
dawn (civil)
Last light
—
dusk (civil)

Free sun & golden-hour calculator for property photographers

Enter any address and this free tool shows the sun's exact path for that spot — sunrise, sunset, solar noon, golden hour and blue hour, plus the compass direction of the light through the day. Real estate, drone, architectural and roofing photographers use it to plan the best time of day and the best day of the next two weeks to shoot a property in flattering light. Pick the direction the front of the house faces and it tells you exactly when that façade is lit, scores the coming days on cloud, rain, wind and visibility, and can even sequence a multi-stop shoot route. Built and shared free by Interlock Metal Roofing.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to photograph a house?

The best light is golden hour — the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset — when the sun is low and warm. Whether to shoot morning or evening depends on which way the front of the house faces: east-facing fronts are lit at sunrise, west-facing fronts at sunset. This tool shows the exact golden-hour times and the lit window for any address and date.

What is golden hour for real estate photography?

Golden hour is the period shortly after sunrise and before sunset when sunlight is soft, warm and directional, giving flattering exteriors with long shadows and rich colour. It lasts about an hour and shifts with the season and your latitude.

Which way should the front of the house face for good light?

For a front-lit exterior the façade should face the sun during your shoot. East-facing fronts photograph best in the morning; west-facing fronts in the late afternoon and evening; south-facing fronts are lit most of the day; north-facing fronts stay shaded and suit soft, even light. Enter an address and the front direction to see the exact lit window.

How do I choose the best day to shoot?

The calculator scores the next 14 days for each location using cloud cover, rain chance, wind and visibility during the golden-hour window, then ranks the best days. Clear or lightly-clouded, dry, low-wind days with good visibility score highest.

Is the sun calculator free?

Yes. The Sun & Golden-Hour Calculator from Interlock Metal Roofing is completely free for real estate, drone, architectural and roofing photographers — no account required.