Current Moon PhaseToday
Current lunar phase with real-time astronomical data
Understanding Moon Phases
New Moon
0%Moon is not visible from Earth. Perfect time for stargazing.
Waxing Crescent
1-49%Thin crescent appears on the right side. Moon is growing.
First Quarter
50%Right half of moon is illuminated. Also called half moon.
Waxing Gibbous
51-99%More than half illuminated, growing toward full moon.
Full Moon
100%Entire moon face is illuminated. Brightest and most visible.
Waning Gibbous
51-99%More than half illuminated, shrinking after full moon.
Last Quarter
50%Left half of moon is illuminated. Also called third quarter.
Waning Crescent
1-49%Thin crescent on left side before new moon.
The Lunar Cycle
The complete lunar cycle takes approximately 29.5 days, during which the moon progresses through all eight phases. This cycle is caused by the changing positions of the Earth, moon, and sun, which creates different amounts of illumination visible from our planet. Understanding these phases helps with astronomy, photography, gardening, and many cultural traditions.