Where is the moon right now?

The tool marks the sub-lunar point: the place on the globe where the moon is directly overhead. It updates from the current time.

The moon's angular distance north or south of the celestial equator. It is roughly equivalent to latitude for the sub-lunar point on the ground.

Is the moon ever directly overhead where I live?

Only if your latitude falls within the moon's declination range, which is about ±28.7°. Outside that band, the moon always stays somewhat north or south of overhead.

Why does the moon rise at a different time each day?

Because it orbits eastward by about 13° per day, so the Earth must rotate further to bring it back into view. The rise time shifts by roughly 50 minutes daily.

How far away is the moon?

On average about 384,400 km, but it varies from roughly 356,500 km at perigee to 406,700 km at apogee.

A full moon occurring near perigee, when the moon is closest. It appears slightly larger and noticeably brighter than an average full moon.

Does the map show the moon's phase?

Yes, the phase name, illuminated percentage, and moon age are shown in the results below the map.

Why does the moon's path across the sky change?

Because of the 5° tilt of its orbit relative to the ecliptic combined with the Earth's axial tilt. The result is a declination cycle that runs through a longer 18.6-year pattern.

It is calculated for the time the page loads. Reload to refresh the position.

Can I see the moon during the day?

Yes, for roughly half of every day. The moon is above the horizon about as often in daylight as at night; it is just easier to notice against a dark sky.

Moon Position Map

Quick answer: The blue marker is where the moon is directly overhead at this moment. The moon's phase, distance, and declination are shown below the map.

How to use moon position map

Select the observing location, rather than the place where you want the Moon to be overhead.
Set local date and time. The compass and altitude update together.
Check rise/set times and illumination before planning an observation. Copy the selected instant to share it.

Worked example

Input: Moon azimuth 90°, altitude 25°
Expected result: Look east, about 25° above a flat horizon.

The overhead-Moon marker identifies a location on Earth. It is not the direction to look from your own location.

Calculation method and accuracy

Local azimuth, refraction-adjusted altitude and Earth–Moon distance come from SunCalc. Moonrise/set events are computed for adjacent UTC dates, then filtered to the selected local calendar day. The purple map marker uses an approximate sublunar position; use the local compass for the observer’s direction.

Common mistakes and edge cases

The Moon can be below your horizon even when the global phase is full.
Some dates have only a rise or only a set. A missing event does not automatically mean the Moon stays below the horizon all day.
Buildings, terrain, weather and atmospheric refraction affect actual visibility near the horizon.

Sources and verification

Reviewed by GeoDataViewer · 2026-09-22. Examples are rounded; the interactive result uses your selected inputs.

What the sub-lunar point means

The sub-lunar point is the place on Earth where the moon is exactly overhead — the point an observer would have to stand at to see the moon at 90° elevation. It moves west as the Earth turns and north or south as the moon's declination changes.

Because the moon's orbital plane is tilted about 5° from the ecliptic, its declination ranges further than the sun's, reaching about ±28.7° rather than the sun's ±23.4°.

Why the moon rises later each day

The moon moves eastward against the stars by about 13° per day as it orbits. The Earth has to rotate a bit further to bring the moon back to the same place in the sky, which works out at roughly 50 minutes of extra rotation — hence the later rise.

Distance varies noticeably

The moon's orbit is elliptical, so its distance swings between about 356,500 km at perigee and 406,700 km at apogee. A full moon near perigee appears around 14% wider and 30% brighter than one at apogee, which is what the term supermoon refers to.

Limitations to keep in mind

The position uses a low-precision lunar ephemeris with the principal periodic terms, accurate to about a degree. That is fine for a world map marker but not for occultation timings or precise rise and set predictions.

Related tools

Sunrise and sunsetSunrise, sunset and day length for any date and place.
Sun positionWhere the sun is right now: elevation and azimuth.
Moon phase calendarPhase and illumination for any date.
Day and night mapThe live day/night terminator.
Time zone mapCompare local times around the world.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the moon right now?: The tool marks the sub-lunar point: the place on the globe where the moon is directly overhead. It updates from the current time.
What is declination?: The moon's angular distance north or south of the celestial equator. It is roughly equivalent to latitude for the sub-lunar point on the ground.
Is the moon ever directly overhead where I live?: Only if your latitude falls within the moon's declination range, which is about ±28.7°. Outside that band, the moon always stays somewhat north or south of overhead.
Why does the moon rise at a different time each day?: Because it orbits eastward by about 13° per day, so the Earth must rotate further to bring it back into view. The rise time shifts by roughly 50 minutes daily.
How far away is the moon?: On average about 384,400 km, but it varies from roughly 356,500 km at perigee to 406,700 km at apogee.
What is a supermoon?: A full moon occurring near perigee, when the moon is closest. It appears slightly larger and noticeably brighter than an average full moon.
Does the map show the moon's phase?: Yes, the phase name, illuminated percentage, and moon age are shown in the results below the map.
Why does the moon's path across the sky change?: Because of the 5° tilt of its orbit relative to the ecliptic combined with the Earth's axial tilt. The result is a declination cycle that runs through a longer 18.6-year pattern.
Is this live?: It is calculated for the time the page loads. Reload to refresh the position.
Can I see the moon during the day?: Yes, for roughly half of every day. The moon is above the horizon about as often in daylight as at night; it is just easier to notice against a dark sky.