Sun Height

The Sun's height above the horizon at noon at any latitude on equinoxes, solstices or any date; latitude from the Sun's height.

What to find:

the Sun's height on an equinox or solstice

the Sun's noon height on any date

the latitude from the Sun's height

Coordinates in degrees: 55.75, 55°45′, 55 45 21, 55°45′ N; southern latitude and western longitude with a minus sign or the letters S / W.

Test yourself

The Sun height calculator finds the angle of the Sun above the horizon at noon at any latitude — on equinoxes and solstices or on any date — and the latitude from the Sun's height.

Formula

h = 90° − |φ − δ|

φ is the latitude and δ is the solar declination — the latitude where the Sun is at the zenith on that day.

Day	Declination δ	Sun at the zenith over
March 20, September 22 (equinoxes)	0°	the equator
June 21 (June solstice)	+23.4°	the Tropic of Cancer
December 21 (December solstice)	−23.4°	the Tropic of Capricorn