The Sun rotates around an axis which is roughly perpendicular to the plane of the ecliptic; the Sun's rotational axis is tilted by 7.25° from perpendicular to the ecliptic. It rotates in the counterclockwise direction (when viewed from the north), the same direction that the planets rotate (and orbit around the Sun).

The Sun's rotation period varies with latitude on the Sun since it is made of gas. Equatorial regions rotate faster than polar regions. The equatorial regions (latitude = 0 degrees) rotate in about 25.6 days. The regions at 60 degrees latitude rotate in about 30.9 days. Polar regions rotate in about 36 days.