Here's exactly how much of the solar eclipse you'll see where you live

On August 21st, the US is getting a total solar eclipse - when the moon crosses between the Earth and the sun, blocking out the sun's light - for the first time in decades. But only a 70-mile-wide streak of the country will see the eclipse in its totality; others will see only a partial eclipse.

A tool from the US Naval Observatory can calculate exactly how much of the upcoming solar eclipse you will see in your hometown. Enter your city, state, and approximate height at which you plan to view the eclipse. (For example, if you'll watch it from the roof of a 10-story building, you'd put in 30 meters.)

New Yorkers will see about 71.4% of the total solar eclipse, meaning most of the sun will be obscured. The calculator also says that the best time to view the eclipse in New York City - which will last over 2.5 hours - will be approximately 2:45 pm ET.

Viewers in Portland, Oregon, however, will see about 99.4% of the eclipse, with the best view at 10:19 am PT. This is a best case scenario, if there are few clouds in the sky.

As Business Insider previously reported, the best places in the US to see the eclipse will be near Salem, Oregon; Nashville, Tennessee; Kansas City, Missouri; Lincoln, Nebraska; and Columbia and Charleston, South Carolina. If those cities are far away from where you live, no need to fret - everyone in the US will see at least a partial eclipse.

NOW WATCH: A shark expert explains how to avoid a shark attack