Sun path · Seattle
Sun path in Seattle
The sun's arc across the sky, showing elevation against compass direction for Seattle. 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 Seattle on Sat, Aug 8
The sun rises from ENE and sets toward WNW in Seattle, reaching a peak elevation of 58° at solar noon. Day length is 14h 37m, 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 Seattle?
- On Sat, Aug 8, the sun rises from ENE and sets toward WNW in Seattle. This shifts north in summer and south in winter.
- How long is the day in Seattle?
- Day length in Seattle on Sat, Aug 8 is 14h 37m, measured from sunrise to sunset.
- What is the sun's highest point in Seattle?
- On Sat, Aug 8, the sun reaches a maximum elevation of about 58° above the horizon in Seattle. This peaks near the summer solstice and is lowest near the winter solstice.
- What does a sun path chart show for Seattle?
- A sun path chart plots the sun's elevation against its compass bearing throughout the day. For Seattle, 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 Seattle?
- 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.
