Moonrise & Moonset Tonight
Moonrise and moonset depend on where you are. Get tonight's exact times — and the best viewing window — for your location.
Get tonight's moonrise, moonset, the time the Moon rides highest, and the cloud cover for your exact location.
What moonrise and moonset are
Moonrise is the moment the Moon climbs above your eastern horizon; moonset is when it drops below the western one. Because the Earth turns, the Moon — like the Sun — appears to travel across the sky from east to west, highest somewhere in between.
Why it shifts ~50 minutes later each day
The Moon orbits Earth in the same direction Earth spins, advancing about 12° per day along its path. So each day Earth must rotate a little extra to bring the Moon back into view, and moonrise slips roughly 50 minutes later on average. Over a lunar month that delay walks all the way around the clock.
When the Moon is up, by phase
The phase tells you roughly when to look. A new moon rises and sets with the Sun, lost in daylight. A first-quarter moon rises around noon and sets near midnight — high in the evening. A full moon rises at sunset and sets at sunrise, up all night. A last-quarter moon rises near midnight and rides highest at dawn. Crescents and gibbous phases fall between these.
Frequently Asked
What time does the moon rise tonight?
Moonrise depends on your location and the Moon's phase, so it differs from place to place. Use the location button above to get tonight's exact moonrise and moonset for where you are, computed in your browser.
Why does the moon rise later each day?
The Moon orbits Earth in the same direction Earth spins, moving about 12° per day. Earth has to turn a little extra to catch up to it, so moonrise slips roughly 50 minutes later (on average) each day — the reason last night's moonrise and tonight's are never the same.
When is the moon up during the day?
Often. Only the full moon rises at sunset and sets at sunrise — up all night. A first-quarter moon rises around noon and sets near midnight, so it is visible all afternoon; a last-quarter moon rises near midnight and is highest at dawn. Daytime moons are perfectly normal.
Does a full moon rise at sunset?
Yes. Because a full moon sits opposite the Sun in the sky, it climbs in the east just as the Sun sets in the west, stays up all night, and sets as the Sun rises. That is what makes it visible the whole night.