ShadowFinder

Demo · 52.52°, 13.40°
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Sun position and shadow

Settings and sensor data

More about ShadowFinder

What ShadowFinder does

ShadowFinder is a free sun position calculator and shadow direction tracker. It uses your location and the current date and time to compute the sun's azimuth (compass bearing) and elevation (height above the horizon), then draws the shadow an object casts on the ground — live, or for any hour of the day you scrub to.

Everything runs directly in your browser. There is no account, no upload of your position to a server, and the app keeps working offline once it has been opened.

How to use it

  1. Allow location access so the sun arc is calculated for your exact latitude and longitude.
  2. Enable the motion sensors to align the compass with the direction your phone is pointing.
  3. Drag the time slider to sweep through the day and watch the shadow rotate and stretch.
  4. Tap the object to switch between a tree, a parasol and a vehicle to match what you are actually planning around.

What people use it for

  • Garden planning — find out how many hours of direct sun a bed really gets before deciding what to plant there.
  • Solar panels — check whether a chimney, tree or neighbouring roof will shade the array at midday in winter.
  • Terrace and balcony — work out when the seating area falls into shade, and where a parasol should stand.
  • Parking and camping — park or pitch so the vehicle stays in shade through the afternoon.
  • Photography — plan golden hour and the direction of light for a shoot.

Common questions

How accurate is the sun position?

The sun's azimuth and elevation are computed with standard astronomical formulas and are accurate to well under a degree for everyday planning. The compass direction depends on your device's magnetometer, which is corrected for magnetic declination but can still be disturbed by metal or magnets nearby.

Why is my shadow longer in winter?

The sun stays lower in the sky in winter, so the same object throws a much longer shadow. This is why a spot that is sunny in June can sit in shade all day in December — worth checking before installing panels or planting.

Does it work without internet?

Yes. Sun position, shadow direction and sunrise and sunset times are calculated on the device. Only the temperature and UV readings need a connection.

Guides

Version: 15.10.26 15:45