☽︎ Astronomy · Moon
Moon Phase Today
What is the moon phase today? See the current phase, how much of the moon is lit, its moon sign, and the dates of the next full and new moons — worked out live in your browser.
Everything is calculated in your browser. Nothing is stored or sent.
Good to know — phase and illumination are the same the world over; only the moon's rise and set times depend on your location. The moon-sign reading is astrology, meant for reflection and fun.
How the moon phase today is worked out
This tool answers one simple question — what is the moon phase today? — using the angle between the Sun and the Moon as seen from Earth. From that angle it works out the phase, from a slim waxing crescent through the full moon to the last waning sliver, along with the percentage of the disc that is lit.
It also tracks the lunar cycle forward to find the next full moon and next new moon, and shows the moon's current zodiac sign. The whole cycle, from one new moon to the next, takes about 29.5 days, which is why the phase shifts a little every night.
Phase, illumination and moon sign
A waxing moon is growing from new to full; a waning moon is shrinking from full back to new. The illumination figure tells you how much of the face is lit right now. The moon sign — the zodiac sign the Moon currently stands in — is, in astrology, linked to feelings and the inner world; read it as a reflective note rather than a fact.
Frequently asked questions
What moon phase is it today?
This tool shows today's phase live — from new moon through waxing crescent, full moon and on to the waning crescent — along with the percentage of the disc that is currently lit.
How is the moon phase calculated?
From the angle between the Sun and the Moon as seen from Earth (an astronomical approximation). That angle gives both the phase and the illumination, worked out right in your browser.
What is the moon sign?
The moon sign is the zodiac sign the Moon currently stands in. In astrology it is linked to feelings and the inner world; the Moon changes sign roughly every two and a half days.
When is the next full moon?
The tool tracks the lunar cycle forward and shows the dates of the next full moon and the next new moon automatically from the calculation.