Phase 1of 8
New Moon
The Moon sits between Earth and Sun. Its lit side faces away from us, so the night sky is dark. This marks the start of a new lunar cycle.
Hard to see, rises and sets with the Sun.
The Eight Lunar Phases
Moon Phases, Explained Simply
The Moon goes through eight named phases each lunar cycle. This page shows the current phase, walks through all eight phases in order, and explains how the cycle repeats month after month.
Every phase has a meaning, a visibility window, and a matching moon emoji. Use this page as a quick reference whenever you want to know what the Moon is doing tonight or any other night.
The Eight Moon Phases
A Complete Guide to the Eight Moon Phases
Every lunar cycle passes through eight named phases. Each one describes how much of the Moon's near side is lit by the Sun as seen from Earth. Here they are in order, with what to look for.
Phase 2of 8
Waxing Crescent
A thin silver sliver of the Moon appears in the west after sunset. It is growing larger each night.
Low in the western sky after sunset.
Phase 3of 8
First Quarter
Half of the Moon's near side is lit. It is high in the sky at sunset and sets around midnight.
Visible from afternoon to midnight.
Phase 4of 8
Waxing Gibbous
More than half is lit and still growing. The Moon rises in the afternoon and stays up most of the night.
Visible most of the evening and night.
Phase 5of 8
Full Moon
The whole near side of the Moon is lit. It rises at sunset and sets at sunrise, the brightest Moon of the cycle.
Visible all night long.
Phase 6of 8
Waning Gibbous
The lit part is shrinking. The Moon rises later each night after sunset.
Rises late evening, sets after sunrise.
Phase 7of 8
Third Quarter
Half of the near side is lit, the opposite half from First Quarter. It rises near midnight and sets at noon.
Visible from midnight to noon.
Phase 8of 8
Waning Crescent
A thin crescent returns. The Moon is shrinking each night as it moves toward the next New Moon.
Low in the eastern sky before sunrise.
How the Cycle Works
The Lunar Cycle Explained
The lunar cycle, also called the synodic month, is the journey the Moon takes from one New Moon to the next. It takes about 29.53 days. As the Moon orbits Earth, we see different slices of its sunlit side. Here is the full cycle in order.
- Step 1
New Moon
Day 0. The Moon sits between Earth and the Sun. Its lit side faces away from us, so the night sky is dark.
- Step 2
Waxing Crescent
Days 1 to 6. A thin sliver of light appears on the right side (in the Northern Hemisphere). It grows larger each night.
- Step 3
First Quarter
Day 7. The right half of the Moon is lit. It rises at noon and sets at midnight.
- Step 4
Waxing Gibbous
Days 8 to 13. More than half is lit and still growing. The Moon is bright and high in the sky for most of the night.
- Step 5
Full Moon
Day 14. The entire near side is lit. The Moon rises at sunset and sets at sunrise.
- Step 6
Waning Gibbous
Days 15 to 21. The lit part shrinks from the right side. The Moon rises later each evening.
- Step 7
Third Quarter
Day 22. The left half is lit. The Moon rises near midnight and sets at noon.
- Step 8
Waning Crescent
Days 23 to 29. A thin sliver on the left side, shrinking toward the next New Moon.
Want to Track the Moon Over Time?
The Moon phase calendar shows you the phase for every day of the month. Tap any day to see its full lunar snapshot, with illumination, lunar age, and more.
Open Moon Calendar