How Meter works out golden hour and blue hour

From the sun's height, never the clock. Golden hour is while the sun is between 6 degrees above and 4 degrees below the horizon, and blue hour while it is between 4 and 8 degrees below.

Step by step

1. On SUN, tap the sunrise, noon and sunset row to show the light windows.
2. Read the morning and evening blue hour, golden hour and the daylight between them.
3. On Apple Watch, the Today page lists the same windows for today and tomorrow.

If that didn't work

The times assume a flat horizon, so hills, trees and buildings take the direct sun away sooner. Near the poles some windows never happen, and Meter says MIDNIGHT SUN or POLAR NIGHT.

Go further

• Golden hour and blue hour, by cityFree tool
• How do you plan a shoot around golden hour?Guide

Last updated November 2, 2026