Kansas City Sunrise & Sunset: October 2026
Day-by-day sunrise and sunset times with golden hour data
In Kansas City in October, sunrise averages 07:29 and sunset averages 18:40. Days are getting shorter through October at Kansas City's latitude of 39.1°. Golden hour lasts approximately 30 to 60 minutes after sunrise and before sunset. Times are accurate to within 1 minute.
Avg Sunrise
07:29
Avg Sunset
18:40
Avg Daylight
11h 10m
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Monthly Sunrise & Sunset Table: Kansas City
| Date | Day | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/01 | Thu | 07:15 | 19:03 | 11h 48m |
| 10/02 | Fri | 07:16 | 19:01 | 11h 45m |
| 10/03 | Sat | 07:17 | 18:59 | 11h 43m |
| 10/04 | Sun | 07:18 | 18:58 | 11h 40m |
| 10/05 | Mon | 07:19 | 18:56 | 11h 38m |
| 10/06 | Tue | 07:20 | 18:55 | 11h 35m |
| 10/07 | Wed | 07:21 | 18:53 | 11h 32m |
| 10/08 | Thu | 07:22 | 18:52 | 11h 30m |
| 10/09 | Fri | 07:22 | 18:50 | 11h 27m |
| 10/10 | Sat | 07:23 | 18:48 | 11h 25m |
| 10/11 | Sun | 07:24 | 18:47 | 11h 22m |
| 10/12 | Mon | 07:25 | 18:45 | 11h 20m |
| 10/13 | Tue | 07:26 | 18:44 | 11h 18m |
| 10/14 | Wed | 07:27 | 18:42 | 11h 15m |
| 10/15 | Thu | 07:28 | 18:41 | 11h 13m |
| 10/16 | Fri | 07:29 | 18:40 | 11h 10m |
| 10/17 | Sat | 07:30 | 18:38 | 11h 08m |
| 10/18 | Sun | 07:31 | 18:37 | 11h 05m |
| 10/19 | Mon | 07:33 | 18:35 | 11h 03m |
| 10/20 | Tue | 07:34 | 18:34 | 11h 00m |
| 10/21 | Wed | 07:35 | 18:33 | 10h 58m |
| 10/22 | Thu | 07:36 | 18:31 | 10h 56m |
| 10/23 | Fri | 07:37 | 18:30 | 10h 53m |
| 10/24 | Sat | 07:38 | 18:29 | 10h 51m |
| 10/25 | Sun | 07:39 | 18:27 | 10h 48m |
| 10/26 | Mon | 07:40 | 18:26 | 10h 46m |
| 10/27 | Tue | 07:41 | 18:25 | 10h 44m |
| 10/28 | Wed | 07:42 | 18:24 | 10h 41m |
| 10/29 | Thu | 07:43 | 18:22 | 10h 39m |
| 10/30 | Fri | 07:44 | 18:21 | 10h 37m |
| 10/31 | Sat | 07:45 | 18:20 | 10h 35m |
Daylight Hours Throughout the Year
October Sunrise & Sunset in Kansas City: Complete Monthly Guide
In October 2026, Kansas City has an average of 11h 10m of daylight per day. Sunrise times range from 07:15 at the start of the month to 07:45 at the end, while sunset shifts from 19:03 to 18:20.
October in Kansas City brings shortening autumn days. Average sunrise in October is 07:29 and average sunset is 18:40. The daily table above shows the exact sunrise and sunset time for each day of the month.
Day Length Variation in October
Day length in Kansas City in October changes throughout the month. Near the solstices (June 21 for the northern hemisphere, December 21 for the southern hemisphere), day length changes very slowly, less than 1 minute per day. Near the equinoxes (March 20 and September 22), day length changes rapidly, gaining or losing 2 to 4 minutes per day depending on latitude.
At Kansas City's latitude of 39.1°, the rate of day length change in October is approximately 2 to 3 minutes per day during the weeks furthest from the solstices. This means that sunrise in Kansas City shifts by approximately 40 to 60 minutes over the course of October.
Golden Hour in Kansas City in October
Golden hour in Kansas City in October occurs twice each day: in the morning shortly after sunrise, and in the evening before sunset. The duration depends on the sun's angle of elevation above the horizon, which varies with latitude and month. In Octoberat Kansas City's latitude of 39.1°, golden hour lasts approximately 40 to 65 minutes.
For photographers planning shoots in Kansas City in October: plan to arrive at your location 30 to 40 minutes before the listed sunrise time to capture blue hour before golden hour begins. The transition from blue hour to golden hour creates the most dramatic color sequences. Evening golden hour in October begins about 45 to 60 minutes before sunset and produces warmer, more orange tones than the morning session.
Blue Hour and Twilight in Kansas City in October
Civil twilight in Kansas City in October begins before sunrise and ends after sunset, creating windows of usable natural light even outside the official sunrise-to-sunset window. Civil twilight occurs when the sun is between 0 and 6 degrees below the horizon. Nautical twilight spans 6 to 12 degrees below the horizon. Astronomical twilight spans 12 to 18 degrees below the horizon.
The total twilight window in Kansas City in October extends the usable light day by approximately 45 to 70 minutes beyond the sunrise-to-sunset window. This extended twilight is valuable for photographers who want to shoot in soft, diffused light without harsh shadows.
Photography Tips for October in Kansas City
Shooting in Kansas City in October requires adapting to the season's specific light quality and timing. Camera settings for sunrise photography in October:
- Blue hour: ISO 800 to 1,600; aperture f/8; shutter speed 10 to 30 seconds on tripod.
- Golden hour: ISO 100 to 400; aperture f/8 to f/16 for landscapes, or f/1.8 to f/2.8 for portraits; shutter speed 1/250 to 1/1,000s handheld.
- Post-sunrise (30 minutes after): ISO 100; aperture f/11; shutter speed 1/500 to 1/2,000s.
In October, Kansas City's weather patterns affect photography conditions. Check cloud cover forecasts the evening before a planned shoot: a thin layer of clouds above the horizon creates more dramatic golden and orange tones than a clear sky. Fully overcast conditions produce flat, diffused light that is good for portraits but lacks the dramatic quality of golden hour. Partly cloudy skies create the most dramatic conditions.
About This Monthly Sunrise Data
All sunrise and sunset times in this October table for Kansas City are calculated using Jean Meeus astronomical algorithms, implemented via the SunCalc library. Calculations use the coordinates of Kansas City (39.0997°, -94.5786°) and the local timezone (America/Chicago). Times are accurate to within 1 minute and account for atmospheric refraction.
The times shown are for the center of the sun crossing the horizon. Sunrise is defined as the moment when the upper limb of the sun first appears above the mathematical horizon. Sunset is when the upper limb disappears below the horizon. Both definitions account for atmospheric refraction, which lifts the apparent position of the sun by approximately 0.5 to 1 degree near the horizon.
Frequently Asked Questions: October Sunrise & Sunset in Kansas City
What is the average sunrise time in Kansas City in October?
The average sunrise time in Kansas City in October 2026 is approximately 07:29. This is based on the mid-month calculation for Kansas City at latitude 39.10° and longitude -94.58°. Actual daily sunrise times vary from 07:15 on the first of the month to 07:45 on the last day. See the full daily table above for exact times.
How many hours of daylight does Kansas City get in October?
Kansas City receives an average of 11h 10m of daylight per day in October 2026. This is calculated as the difference between sunrise and sunset and does not include twilight periods. Day length varies from 11h 48m on the first of the month to 10h 35m on the last day.
What is the earliest sunrise in Kansas City in October?
The earliest sunrise in Kansas City in October 2026 occurs on 2026-10-01 at 07:15. The latest sunrise in the month occurs on 2026-10-31 at 07:45.
What time is golden hour in Kansas City in October?
Golden hour in Kansas City in October occurs twice daily. Morning golden hour begins at sunrise (07:29 at mid-month) and lasts approximately 40 to 65 minutes. Evening golden hour begins approximately 45 to 60 minutes before sunset (18:40 at mid-month). The precise start of golden hour is when the sun's altitude drops below 6 degrees above the horizon.
Is October a good time to photograph sunrise in Kansas City?
October is a strong month for sunrise photography in Kansas City. Autumn light has a distinctive warm quality, sunrise at 07:29 is at a comfortable time, and the lower sun angle produces extended golden hour periods compared to summer.
When does civil twilight start in Kansas City in October?
Civil twilight in Kansas City in October begins approximately 20 to 30 minutes before sunrise and ends 20 to 30 minutes after sunset. At Kansas City's latitude of 39.1°, civil twilight in October starts around 07:04 in the morning. Civil twilight provides enough light for outdoor activities without artificial lighting and is considered the beginning of the usable photography window each day.