If you’ve stepped outside at 4:30 PM lately and felt that soul-crushing darkness, I have some good news. We are officially on the upswing.
Honestly, the "what time is sunset now" question is one of the most searched things this time of year because we’re all just collectively desperate for a little more light. Today is Monday, January 12, 2026, and while we are still technically in the thick of winter, the sun is actually starting to play fair again.
But here is the thing: "now" depends entirely on where you’re standing. If you’re in Miami, you’re living a completely different life than someone in Seattle.
What Time Is Sunset Now? (Jan 12, 2026)
Across the country, the sun is setting at vastly different times today. We’re in that weird transitional period where the days are getting longer, but it’s happening so slowly you might not even notice unless you’re checking your watch.
Here is what the timing looks like for today in some major spots:
- New York City: The sun goes down at 4:49 PM. It’s still early, but it’s a solid ten minutes later than it was on New Year's Day.
- Los Angeles: You get a bit more breathing room with a 5:03 PM sunset.
- Chicago: It’s a bit rougher in the Midwest, with the sun dipping at 4:40 PM.
- Miami: Basically a different planet. Sunset is at 5:49 PM.
- Seattle: The Pacific Northwest is still struggling; expect darkness by 4:40 PM.
- Phoenix: Residents there will see the sun vanish at 5:40 PM.
It’s interesting because even though we think of the winter solstice in December as the "turning point," the earliest sunset actually happens before the solstice for most of us. By the time we hit mid-January, we’ve already gained back a decent chunk of afternoon light, even if the mornings still feel pitch black.
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The "Afternoon Gain" vs. The "Morning Loss"
Most people assume that as days get longer, the sun just rises earlier and sets later in equal measure. That would be too simple for physics.
Right now, in mid-January, the sunset is moving later much faster than the sunrise is moving earlier. In fact, in many northern cities, the sun is still rising quite late—sometimes even later than it did in December. This is thanks to the Equation of Time, which is a fancy way of saying Earth's tilt and its elliptical orbit don't line up perfectly with our 24-hour clocks.
Why Does the Sunset Change Every Day?
The Earth isn't just a ball spinning in a perfect circle. It’s tilted at about $23.5°$.
Because of that tilt, different parts of the planet lean toward or away from the sun as we move through our orbit. In January, the Northern Hemisphere is still tilted away, but we are physically moving toward the point in our orbit where that tilt starts to matter less.
Atmospheric refraction also messes with your eyes. When you see the sun "touch" the horizon, it’s actually already gone. The atmosphere acts like a lens and bends the light, lifting the image of the sun so it appears to be there for a few minutes after it has technically set. You're basically looking at a ghost.
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Twilight: It’s Not Just a Movie
When you ask about sunset, you're usually actually interested in "light." There are three stages of twilight that happen after the sun officially drops:
- Civil Twilight: This is the "golden hour" for photographers. The sun is less than $6°$ below the horizon. You can still do most outdoor stuff without a flashlight.
- Nautical Twilight: The sun is between $6°$ and $12°$ down. Sailors used to use this time to navigate by the stars while still seeing the horizon. It's getting pretty dark.
- Astronomical Twilight: The sun is $12°$ to $18°$ below the horizon. To the average person, it’s just night. Only astronomers care about this because that tiny bit of lingering light can still mess with deep-space telescopes.
Factors That Change Your Local Sunset
If you live in a valley or behind a massive skyscraper, your personal "sunset" happens way before the official time.
Altitude is a huge factor. If you're on the 50th floor of a building in Manhattan, you'll see the sun for a few minutes longer than someone on the sidewalk. According to NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), for every 100 meters of elevation, the sunset is delayed by about one minute.
Then there's your latitude. The further north you go in January, the earlier that sun disappears. If you’re in Anchorage, Alaska today, the sun sets at 4:03 PM. Meanwhile, in Mexico City, it’s hanging out until 6:14 PM.
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How to Get the Precise Time for Your Backyard
Don't just rely on general city data if you're planning a hike or a photo shoot.
The best way to find the exact second the sun disappears for your specific GPS coordinates is to use a high-precision tool. The NOAA Solar Calculator is the gold standard used by scientists. You can also use apps like PhotoPills or The Photographer's Ephemeris, which are incredible because they show you exactly where the sun will drop relative to the terrain around you.
Actionable Steps for Dealing with Early Sunsets
Since we’re still dealing with sub-5:00 PM sunsets in much of the US, you've got to adapt.
- Check the "Civil Dusk" time: Don't stop your outdoor workout at the official sunset time. You usually have about 25-30 minutes of usable light (Civil Twilight) after the sun goes down.
- Automate your home: If you haven't set your smart lights to "Sunset" mode, do it. Most apps like Philips Hue or Lutron can sync with the daily sunset shift so your house isn't a cave when you walk in.
- Plan for the "Golden Hour": If you want those perfect, glowy photos, start shooting about 20 minutes before the official sunset time listed for your city.
- Watch the horizon: On January 12th, the sun is setting in the Southwest, not due West. As we head toward the spring equinox in March, that setting point will slowly migrate toward the center-West.
The light is coming back. We’re gaining roughly 1 to 2 minutes of daylight every single day right now. It doesn't sound like much, but by this time next month, you'll be leaving the office in the twilight instead of total darkness.