Sun path · Chicago
Sun path in Chicago
The sun's arc across the sky, showing elevation against compass direction for Chicago. Dashed curves show the June solstice, equinox and December solstice for comparison.
Drag the timeline to see where the sun will be in the sky.
Sun path in Chicago on Sat, Jul 4
The sun rises from ENE and sets toward WNW in Chicago, reaching a peak elevation of 71° at solar noon. Day length is 15h 8m, measured from sunrise to sunset.
The chart above plots the full arc of the sun across the sky. The horizontal axis is compass direction, the vertical axis is elevation. Dashed reference curves show the June solstice, equinox and December solstice so you can see how the arc shifts through the year.
Use the scrubber to walk through the day and read the sun's compass bearing and elevation at any moment. For photography, check which direction light will come from at your planned shoot time and whether your subject will be front-lit, side-lit or backlit.
Frequently asked
- What direction does the sun rise and set in Chicago?
- On Sat, Jul 4, the sun rises from ENE and sets toward WNW in Chicago. This shifts north in summer and south in winter.
- How long is the day in Chicago?
- Day length in Chicago on Sat, Jul 4 is 15h 8m, measured from sunrise to sunset.
- What is the sun's highest point in Chicago?
- On Sat, Jul 4, the sun reaches a maximum elevation of about 71° above the horizon in Chicago. This peaks near the summer solstice and is lowest near the winter solstice.
- What does a sun path chart show for Chicago?
- A sun path chart plots the sun's elevation against its compass bearing throughout the day. For Chicago, it shows when and where light will come from, how high the sun climbs, and how the arc shifts between seasons.
- Why does sun path matter for photography in Chicago?
- Knowing the sun path helps you plan where light and shadow will fall. You can predict which side of a building catches light, when a subject will be front-lit or backlit, and how long shadows will be at any time of day.
