Nearby buildings and their heights come from OpenStreetMap and cast the existing shadows. Coverage is best in city centres; missing heights default to two storeys.
Pinch to zoom, two fingers to tilt and rotate. Drag the time slider to move the sun.
Pan the map so the crosshair sits on the site, then confirm.
Dark grey is shadow that already exists. Orange is what the new building adds. Scrub the time bar or press play.
Trace a park, plaza or school yard to measure how much new shadow lands on it.
The image export needs no email. For the multi-page study PDF we ask for your email; we may follow up once about rendering services — no spam, ever.
Embed this tool on your site, free, with a credit to RealSpace 3D.
Sun positions from SunCalc. Shadows are approximate — terrain is treated as flat — and not a substitute for a certified shadow impact study. Terms of use. RealSpace 3D produces those, with renderings and animations.
The Shadow Study tool is a free service of RealSpace3D Inc. (realspace3d.com). By using it you agree to these terms.
The tool produces approximate sun and shadow visualizations. Sun positions are computed from published algorithms, but surrounding buildings and their heights come from OpenStreetMap and may be missing, outdated or wrong; missing heights are assumed; terrain is treated as flat. Outputs — including the exported images and PDF — are illustrations for early design and feasibility discussion. They are not a certified shadow impact study, and not architectural, engineering, planning or legal advice.
Do not rely on the tool for regulatory submissions, design decisions, purchases, disputes or any other consequential decision without independent verification by a qualified professional. Municipal requirements change; always confirm them with your planner.
The tool is provided “as is” and “as available”, without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including accuracy, fitness for a particular purpose and availability. To the maximum extent permitted by law, RealSpace3D Inc. and its principals are not liable for any loss or damage of any kind — direct, indirect, incidental or consequential — arising from use of, or reliance on, the tool or its outputs.
Plans, elevations and 3D models you load are processed entirely on your device and are never uploaded to our servers. If you choose to enter your email to export a study PDF, we store it to respond and may follow up once about our rendering services; we don’t sell it. We use basic analytics to understand usage.
Maps and building data © OpenStreetMap contributors via OpenFreeMap/OpenMapTiles; optional aerial imagery © Esri and partners; geocoding by Photon/Komoot. Their terms apply to their data.
The tool and its design are © RealSpace3D Inc. You may share exports with credit intact. These terms are governed by the laws of British Columbia, Canada. We may update the tool or these terms at any time; continued use after an update is acceptance.