If you want to know exactly when the sun will rise and set each day, adding these times directly to your calendar is the simplest way to stay informed. You can add sunrise sunset to calendar in just a few steps, and once set up, the data updates automatically so you never need to check a separate app again. This article explains how to do it using the Sunrise.am calendar, a free tool built from precise astronomical calculations.
Why You Might Want Sunrise and Sunset in Your Calendar
Sunrise and sunset times change daily, shifting by several minutes as the Earth orbits the Sun. For photographers planning golden hour shoots, gardeners timing their watering, or anyone who simply wants to know when daylight begins and ends, a static time is useless. By integrating these times into your calendar, you get a visual schedule that adjusts with the seasons.
The key advantage is automation. Once you import the feed, your calendar refreshes each day with updated times based on your location. For instance, if you live in London and want to see winter sunrise at 8:00 AM versus summer sunrise at 4:45 AM, the calendar reflects this without manual effort. You can also use an example city to preview how the data looks before setting it up for your own town.
How the Sunrise.am Calendar Works
The site uses standard astronomical definitions for twilight phases. Civil twilight begins when the Sun is 6 degrees below the horizon, nautical twilight at 12 degrees, and astronomical twilight at 18 degrees. The core data—sunrise and sunset—correspond to the moment the upper edge of the Sun appears or disappears at the horizon, assuming a flat horizon and standard atmospheric refraction.
The Sunrise.am calendar generates an iCal feed (.ics file) for any city worldwide. This file contains daily events for sunrise, sunset, and the three twilight phases. You can choose to import just the main two events or all five, depending on your needs. The feed updates annually, so solstices (around June 21 and December 21) and equinoxes (around March 20 and September 22) are accounted for automatically.
Step-by-Step: Adding the Feed to Your Calendar
The process works on any major calendar platform—Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, Outlook, and others. Here is how to do it:
- Go to the Sunrise.am calendar page. Enter your city or choose coordinates. The site uses your location to compute precise times.
- Select the events you want. Choose sunrise, sunset, or both. Many users add only sunrise and sunset to avoid clutter.
- Copy the iCal URL. The page generates a unique link for your location and selections.
- Open your calendar app. In Google Calendar, for example, go to "Other calendars" → "Add by URL." Paste the link and click "Add."
- Verify the import. Events should appear within minutes. They show as all-day events or timed entries depending on your settings.
Once added, the feed syncs daily. You do not need to refresh it manually. If you move to a new city, repeat the steps—each location needs its own feed.
What Events You Can Import and How They Look
The calendar offers five standard event types, each tied to an astronomical definition:
- Sunrise – When the Sun's upper limb crosses the horizon.
- Sunset – When the Sun's upper limb disappears.
- Civil twilight start/end – Sun 0–6 degrees below horizon; general activity still possible without artificial light.
- Nautical twilight start/end – Sun 6–12 degrees below horizon; horizon still visible at sea.
- Astronomical twilight start/end – Sun 12–18 degrees below horizon; sky fully dark for most purposes.
Most users import only sunrise and sunset. For example, a photographer might add civil twilight to catch golden hour, while an astronomer might prefer astronomical twilight. The events appear as timed entries on your calendar—sunrise at 6:32 AM, sunset at 7:15 PM—with no description unless you customise it. This keeps your calendar clean while still providing the information at a glance.
Tips for Making the Most of This Data
The calendar feed is simple, but you can enhance its usefulness with a few tweaks:
- Set notifications. In your calendar app, add a 15-minute alert before sunset to remind you to head outside for the best light.
- Colour-code events. Give sunrise a yellow label and sunset an orange one to distinguish them quickly.
- Pair with other data. Use the feed alongside weather apps to see if clouds will obscure the view.
- Plan monthly around daylight. If you are scheduling outdoor work or travel, planning your month around daylight helps you avoid wasted early mornings or late finishes.
The feed only provides times, not weather or visibility. For that, you would need a separate tool. But for knowing exactly when the Sun will appear or disappear, the calendar is reliable and low-effort.
Common Questions About the Calendar Feed
Does the feed change with daylight saving time? Yes. Since the times are computed for your fixed coordinates, the feed adjusts automatically when clocks spring forward or fall back. No manual action is needed.
Can I add multiple cities? Yes. Generate a separate feed for each city and import them all. Give each calendar a distinct name, such as "London Sun" and "New York Sun," to avoid confusion.
Why consider the sunrise calendar? Because it is based on standard astronomy, not approximate tables. The calculations account for latitude, longitude, and elevation, giving times accurate to within a minute for most locations.
How often does the feed update? The iCal link generates fresh data once per year, typically around December, when the next year's times are published. Until then, the events for that year remain correct.
Adding sunrise and sunset times to your calendar is one of those small adjustments that saves mental effort over time. You stop guessing when daylight will start or end, and you can plan your day with more confidence. The setup takes five minutes, and once the feed is in place, it runs silently in the background. Whether you are an early riser, a night owl, or just someone who likes to know what the sky is doing, a sunrise-sunset calendar is a practical addition to your daily tools.