Today, Saturday, October 3, 2026, golden hour in Saudi Arabia runs from 05:46 to 06:16 in the morning (30 min) and from 17:08 to 17:38 in the evening (30 min), in local time (based on Riyadh). Blue hour follows, from 17:52 to 18:10.
Golden hour and blue hour today
It's night now
Today's timeline
| Event | Time | Sun elevation |
|---|---|---|
| Morning blue hour begins | 05:14 | −8° |
| Morning blue hour ends | 05:31 | −4° |
| Sunrise: morning golden hour begins | 05:46 | −0.8° |
| Morning golden hour ends | 06:16 | +6° |
| Solar noon | 11:42 | highest of the day |
| Evening golden hour begins | 17:08 | +6° |
| Sunset: evening golden hour ends | 17:38 | −0.8° |
| Evening blue hour begins | 17:52 | −4° |
| Evening blue hour ends | 18:10 | −8° |
Next 7 days
| Date | Golden morning | Golden evening | Blue morning | Blue evening | Golden (evening) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Oct 3 | 05:46 – 06:16 | 17:08 – 17:38 | 05:14 – 05:31 | 17:52 – 18:10 | 30 min |
| Sun, Oct 4 | 05:46 – 06:16 | 17:07 – 17:37 | 05:14 – 05:32 | 17:51 – 18:09 | 30 min |
| Mon, Oct 5 | 05:46 – 06:17 | 17:06 – 17:36 | 05:15 – 05:32 | 17:50 – 18:08 | 30 min |
| Tue, Oct 6 | 05:47 – 06:17 | 17:05 – 17:35 | 05:15 – 05:33 | 17:49 – 18:07 | 30 min |
| Wed, Oct 7 | 05:47 – 06:17 | 17:04 – 17:34 | 05:15 – 05:33 | 17:48 – 18:06 | 30 min |
| Thu, Oct 8 | 05:48 – 06:18 | 17:03 – 17:33 | 05:16 – 05:33 | 17:47 – 18:05 | 30 min |
| Fri, Oct 9 | 05:48 – 06:18 | 17:02 – 17:32 | 05:16 – 05:34 | 17:46 – 18:04 | 30 min |
How long golden hour lasts in Saudi Arabia through the year
At 24.71° N, 46.68° E, the evening golden hour is longest in December (34 minutes around the 15th) and shortest in March (30 minutes). Today the Sun climbs from the horizon to 6° in 30 minutes, which is about 13.7° of elevation per hour; on the equator at an equinox that rate is close to 15° per hour. The farther the rate falls below 15°, the longer the soft light lasts.
| Month | Sunrise | Golden morning | Golden evening | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 06:39 | 33 min | 33 min | 17:25 |
| February | 06:27 | 31 min | 31 min | 17:47 |
| March | 06:02 | 30 min | 30 min | 18:02 |
| April | 05:31 | 30 min | 30 min | 18:15 |
| May | 05:09 | 32 min | 32 min | 18:30 |
| June | 05:03 | 33 min | 33 min | 18:43 |
| July | 05:13 | 33 min | 33 min | 18:45 |
| August | 05:27 | 31 min | 31 min | 18:27 |
| September | 05:39 | 30 min | 30 min | 17:57 |
| October | 05:51 | 31 min | 31 min | 17:26 |
| November | 06:09 | 32 min | 32 min | 17:06 |
| December | 06:29 | 34 min | 34 min | 17:06 |
Making the most of golden hour in Saudi Arabia today
- Evening: be in position by 16:43, 25 minutes before the window opens at 17:08. Sunset is at 17:38, and blue hour keeps going until 18:10.
- Morning: the light is cooler and the air usually cleaner. The window opens at sunrise (05:46) and lasts until 06:16.
- Avoid solar noon (11:42), when the Sun is highest, shadows are short and contrast is harsh.
- Shoot with the Sun behind or beside the subject for a glow, and expose for the highlights. More tips are on the golden hour guide.
Time zone and coordinates
All times are calculated astronomically for Riyadh (24.71° N, 46.68° E) and shown in the local time zone (Asia/Riyadh, UTC+3). Golden hour is defined here as the period from sunrise until the Sun is 6° above the horizon and from 6° until sunset, and blue hour as the Sun between 4° and 8° below the horizon. Other cities in Saudi Arabia differ by about 4 minutes per degree of longitude and by their latitude. In countries that span several time zones, the clock time also depends on the zone. Values are accurate to within about a minute and do not account for mountains, buildings or clouds.
See also
- Sunrise and sunset in Saudi Arabia
- Current time in Saudi Arabia
- Golden hour in every state and country
- Moon phase today · Longest day of the year · Shortest day of the year
Other places
Coordinates used: 24.71° N, 46.68° E