Moon Phase Tracker
Illumination
0%
Moon Age
0d
of 29.53059 day cycle
Next Full Moon
-- d -- h -- m
Next New Moon
-- d -- h -- m
Lunar cycle progress: 0%
Upcoming Moon Phases
About Moon Phase Tracker
The Moon Phase Tracker shows you the current lunar phase in real time, including the Moon's illumination percentage, its age within the 29.5-day synodic cycle, and accurate countdowns to the next full moon and new moon. Lunar phases result from the changing angle between the Earth, Moon, and Sun as the Moon orbits our planet.
A complete lunar cycle — from new moon back to new moon — takes approximately 29 days, 12 hours, and 44 minutes (the synodic period). During this cycle the Moon passes through eight distinct phases, each with its own character and cultural significance across human history.
The Eight Moon Phases Explained
New Moon
Day 0–1.84. The Moon is invisible; a fresh cycle begins.
Waxing Crescent
Day 1.84–5.53. A thin crescent grows on the right side.
First Quarter
Day 5.53–9.22. The right half is lit. A key milestone in the cycle.
Waxing Gibbous
Day 9.22–12.91. Over half lit; moving toward the full moon.
Full Moon
Day 12.91–16.61. Completely illuminated; tides are at their strongest.
Waning Gibbous
Day 16.61–20.30. Light begins receding from the right.
Last Quarter
Day 20.30–23.99. The left half is now lit; mirror of first quarter.
Waning Crescent
Day 23.99–27.68. Final crescent before the cycle resets.
How to Use Moon Phase Tracker
- Open the page to instantly see the current moon phase — no location input required.
- Check the illumination percentage and moon age to understand where in the cycle you are.
- Use the countdown panels to plan around the next full moon or new moon.
- Browse the Upcoming Phases grid to see the lunar calendar for the next two months.
- The SVG moon illustration updates to reflect the actual phase shape you would see in the sky.
Common Use Cases
- Photography & Astrophotography — Plan night shoots around the full moon for maximum light, or new moon for dark skies and star trails.
- Gardening by the Moon — Many gardeners plant, prune, and harvest according to lunar phases for better yields.
- Fishing & Hunting — Moon phases influence animal behavior and feeding patterns; anglers use them to predict peak activity.
- Wellness & Meditation — Track new and full moons for intention-setting rituals and mindfulness practices.
- Tidal Planning — Full and new moons cause spring tides; useful for coastal activities, surfing, and sailing.
- Creative Writing & Worldbuilding — Accurately set scenes with the correct moon phase for any given date.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is the moon phase calculation?
The phase is calculated using the synodic period (29.53059 days) and a known new moon reference date (January 6, 2000). This method is accurate to within a few hours for dates near the present. For precise professional or scientific use, dedicated ephemeris software is recommended.
What does illumination percentage mean?
Illumination is the fraction of the Moon's visible disk that is lit by the Sun. 0% = new moon (dark), 50% = quarter moon (half lit), 100% = full moon (fully lit). It is calculated as (1 − cos(phase angle)) / 2.
What is "moon age"?
Moon age is the number of days that have elapsed since the last new moon. It resets to 0 at each new moon and increases to ~29.5 days before starting over.
Why does the moon look different from the Southern Hemisphere?
In the Southern Hemisphere, the Moon appears rotated 180° compared to the Northern Hemisphere — so a waxing crescent appears on the left side rather than the right. The phase and illumination percentage are the same; only the orientation differs.
Do I need to enter my location?
No. The moon phase, illumination, and phase timing are the same worldwide at any given moment (only the Moon's visible orientation changes by hemisphere). No location data is needed or collected by this tool.
How often does the tracker update?
The moon phase data updates every minute. Since the Moon's phase changes very gradually (roughly 0.034% per minute), minute-level updates are more than sufficient for any practical use.
What is a supermoon?
A supermoon occurs when a full moon coincides with the Moon's closest approach to Earth (perigee). It appears up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than a typical full moon. This tracker shows the phase cycle but does not calculate perigee/apogee distances.