Moon Phase Today
A live 3D view of tonight’s moon with its phase, illumination and age — plus the next full and new moon and a calendar for any month.
Moon phase
Month
The eight phases of the moon
As the moon orbits Earth, the half facing the Sun is always lit, but we see a different share of that lit half each night. One full cycle — from new moon to new moon — takes about 29.5 days.
- 🌑 New moon – the moon sits between Earth and Sun, so the side facing us is dark.
- 🌒 Waxing crescent – a thin sliver grows each evening.
- 🌓 First quarter – half of the disc is lit, about a week after new moon.
- 🌔 Waxing gibbous – more than half lit and still growing.
- 🌕 Full moon – the whole face is lit and rises around sunset.
- 🌖 Waning gibbous, 🌗 last quarter and 🌘 waning crescent – the light shrinks back toward the next new moon.
The moon in astrology and tarot
Many people use the lunar cycle as a rhythm for reflection: new moons for setting intentions, full moons for gratitude and letting go. You can pair tonight’s phase with a tarot reading, your daily horoscope or a quick yes or no card. Curious about other sky events? See the Mercury retrograde 2026 dates.
Phases are calculated from the average lunar month and are accurate to within about half a day. For eclipse and exact rise/set times, use an astronomical almanac for your location.
Frequently asked questions
What phase is the moon in today?
The panel at the top of this page calculates the phase for the current moment on your device, along with how much of the moon is lit and how many days have passed since the last new moon.
How accurate is this moon phase calculator?
It uses the average length of the lunar month (29.53 days), so phase times are accurate to within about half a day. Exact full and new moon times can differ slightly from astronomical tables.
What are the eight phases of the moon?
New moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, last quarter and waning crescent.
How long is a full lunar cycle?
About 29.5 days from one new moon to the next. This is called a synodic month.
Can I see the moon phase on my birthday?
Yes. Pick any date in the date box to see the moon phase for that day, or browse the monthly calendar.
Why does the moon look different in the Southern Hemisphere?
Viewers south of the equator see the moon upside down compared to the north, so the lit side appears on the opposite side. The phase name and illumination are the same everywhere.