Edinburgh
Vitamin D from the sun in Edinburgh
6 months of sun
In Edinburgh you can synthesize vitamin D from April to September.
From October to March synthesis isn't possible — this is when a supplement can help.
Edinburgh: we'll tell you the days you can make vitamin D.
Loading notifications…Today's sun in Edinburgh
Today's sunrise, sunset, golden hour and day length.
Year-round profile in Edinburgh
Daily hours with enough sun to synthesize vitamin D across the year.
Seasonal windows
- March: synthesis isn't possible.
- June: between 09:00 and 16:00, about 9 min for 1000 IU.
- September: synthesis isn't possible.
- December: synthesis isn't possible.
Estimated for Fitzpatrick type III skin, arms and face exposed, clear sky.
When to supplement in Edinburgh
During the months without solar synthesis, vitamin D comes only from food or a supplement. It is usually taken as D3, often with magnesium — which the body needs to activate it — and vitamin K (as K2), which contributes to the maintenance of normal bones.
More about supplementsSunrise and sunset by month in Edinburgh
How sunrise, sunset and day length change over the year.
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08:35 | 16:09 | 7 h 34 min | |
| 07:43 | 17:12 | 9 h 29 min | |
| 06:33 | 18:12 | 11 h 39 min | |
| 06:10 | 20:16 | 14 h 06 min | |
| 05:01 | 21:17 | 16 h 16 min | |
| 04:26 | 22:00 | 17 h 34 min | |
| 04:48 | 21:49 | 17 h 01 min | |
| 05:45 | 20:49 | 15 h 03 min | |
| 06:48 | 19:26 | 12 h 38 min | |
| 07:50 | 18:06 | 10 h 17 min | |
| 07:54 | 16:02 | 8 h 07 min | |
| 08:39 | 15:38 | 6 h 59 min |
Approximate values for mid-month (the 15th).
Frequently asked questions about vitamin D in Edinburgh
- Can I get vitamin D from the sun in winter in Edinburgh?
- In Edinburgh you can synthesize vitamin D from April to September.
- How many minutes of sun do I need in Edinburgh?
- In summer, about 9 minutes with arms and face exposed is enough for 1000 IU (Fitzpatrick type III skin, clear sky).
- What time does the sun rise and set in Edinburgh?
- It shifts with the seasons: in June the sun rises around 04:26 and sets around 22:00; in December it rises around 08:39 and sets around 15:38.
- What is the longest day of the year in Edinburgh?
- Longest day: June, with about 18 h of daylight. Shortest day: December, with about 7 h.
- When is golden hour in Edinburgh?
- It's roughly the last hour before sunset: in June it starts around 20:56 and in December around 14:19.