The 8 Moon Phases in Order
The Moon moves through eight named phases in a fixed order, and the whole sequence repeats every 29.5 days. The animation above plays through one full cycle — tap any phase to jump to it. Below, each phase in the order you will actually see them in the sky.
1. New Moon
The Moon sits between Earth and the Sun, so its lit side faces away from us. It is effectively invisible — 0% illuminated — and rises and sets with the Sun. This is the start of the cycle.
2. Waxing Crescent
A thin sliver of light appears on the right-hand side (from the Northern Hemisphere). "Waxing" means growing. You will spot it low in the west just after sunset.
3. First Quarter
Exactly half the disk is lit — the right half. It is called a "quarter" because the Moon is one quarter of the way through its cycle, not because a quarter is lit. It rises around noon and sets around midnight.
4. Waxing Gibbous
"Gibbous" means more than half but not yet full. The lit area keeps growing night after night, bulging out toward a full disk.
5. Full Moon
Earth sits between the Sun and Moon, so the entire face we see is lit — 100% illuminated. The Full Moon rises at sunset and sets at sunrise, visible all night long.
6. Waning Gibbous
"Waning" means shrinking. Just after full, the light begins to retreat, now from the right side, leaving a still-bright but no-longer-complete disk.
7. Last Quarter
Half lit again — but now the left half. Also called Third Quarter, it rises around midnight and is high in the sky at dawn.
8. Waning Crescent
A shrinking sliver on the left, visible in the eastern sky before sunrise. After this, the Moon returns to New and the cycle begins again.
Frequently Asked
What are the 8 moon phases in order?
New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter, and Waning Crescent. The cycle then repeats.
How long does it take to go through all 8 phases?
One complete cycle — a synodic month — takes about 29.5 days, so each of the four primary phases is roughly a week apart.
What is the difference between waxing and waning?
Waxing means the illuminated part is growing toward Full Moon; waning means it is shrinking toward New Moon.
Which side of the Moon is lit first?
From the Northern Hemisphere the right side lights up first while waxing. In the Southern Hemisphere it is mirrored — the left side lights first.