Below, find an interactive moon phase calculator showing lunar phases, illumination, moonrise/set times, and special moon events for any location worldwide. View a moon phase calendar or check specific dates with detailed astronomical data including a moon path visualization and a real-time sky position tracker.
Using the moon phase calculator and lunar tracker
The moon phase calculator offers two views: a calendar showing the entire month's moon phases or detailed single-date analysis with optional moon path visualization.
It detects your location (with permission, of course!), lets you search through a city database, or allows you to manually enter a latitude and longitude. The tool saves your last searched geography in case you return to our page. Times update automatically as you adjust the date or use the time input (or the time slider near the Moon Visualization).
Single date view: detailed moon data
Single date view is the default view for the tool. You'll see two rows of moon information followed by a moon visualization which roughly shows the appearance of the moon at your location. You can also click the Show Moon Path button to trace the arc of the moon at your location.
Moon information panel and visualization
By default in the Single Date view, you'll be greeted with a Moon Information Panel. You can hover (tap on mobile) for tooltips explaining each field, but you'll see comprehensive lunar information in two data rows:
- Phase: Current lunar phase (New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, and so on.)
- Illumination: Percentage of the moon's surface lit by the sun
- Cycle Day: Days since the last new moon (0-29.5)
- Moonrise: When the moon rises above your local horizon
- Moonset: When the moon sets below your local horizon
- Direction: Compass bearing to the moon with viewing guidance (e.g., "112° ESE, Low in sky")
- Altitude: Angle above the horizon in degrees (negative = below horizon)
- Distance: Current distance from Earth in miles or kilometers
- Bright Limb: Angle of the moon's illuminated edge for proper orientation
- Parallactic Angle: Moon's rotation relative to the observer
Below that, you'll see a Moon Visualization. It shows the approximate appearance of the moon at your location - that is, the illumination, shadow size, and the angle.
Moon path visualization
Click Show Moon Path from inside the Single Date View to reveal an interactive sky chart showing the moon's journey across your local sky. We show:
- Arc Path: The moon's trajectory from moonrise to moonset
- Peak Time: When the moon reaches its highest point (with a date labeled if it's the next day)
- Current Position: Real-time moon location marked with a glowing blue dot, assuming the moon is visible at your chosen date, time, and location
- Compass Directions: North, East, South, West markers for orientation
- Time Slider: You can drag left and right to quickly set a time and see the moon's position at any time of day. Technically this is in the above Moon Information pane; changes here affect the visualization, too.
- Hide Moon Path: You guessed it - it hides the optional moon path visualization
If the moon isn't visible at your date and time, the tool will show the 'next' moon path.
Calendar view: monthly moon phases
The calendar view gives you a month-at-a-glance visualization of moon phases:
- Visual Moon Phases: Each day shows a moon rendering with approximate illumination
- Special Moon Events: Days with supermoons, blue moons, or harvest moons are highlighted in color
- Click A Date: Instantly switch to detailed view for that specific date
- Navigate Months: Previous/next buttons to explore past and future moon phases
Special moon events
The calculator automatically detects and highlights special lunar events:
- Supermoon: Full or new moon at its closest approach to Earth (within 365,000 km, by our definition)
- Micromoon: Full or new moon at its farthest distance from Earth (beyond 401,700 km, by our definition)
- Blue Moon: A rare second full moon within a calendar month
- Harvest Moon: The annual full moon closest to the autumn equinox
Special events appear as colored highlights in Calendar view and as detailed descriptions in Single Date view.
Technical notes
- Moon positions, visualizations, and phases use the SunCalc library by Vladimir Agafonkin
- The Cities Database is from cities.json, sourced from GeoNames Gazetteer
Related astronomy and time tools
- Sunrise and Sunset Calculator – Track the sun's schedule
- Golden Hour Calculator – Perfect lighting for photographers
- Blue Hour Calculator – The magical times when the blue sky lends itself well to cityscale photography
- Solar Tracker Map – Real-time sun position worldwide
- Hours Between Times Calculator – Time duration calculations
- Days Between Dates Calculator – Date difference tool
- World Clock – Current time around the globe
- All DQYDJ Calculators – Browse our complete collection
