Time Zone Calculator
Convert between different time zones worldwide. Easily find the time difference between locations and plan meetings across time zones. This calculator helps you determine the current local time in any city or time zone.
Time Conversion Result
| Original Time | Jan 1, 2023, 12:00 PM EST |
|---|---|
| Converted Time | Jan 1, 2023, 5:00 PM GMT |
| Time Difference | 5 hours |
| Daylight Saving Time | Not in effect |
About Time Zone Calculator
A time zone is a region of the globe that observes a uniform standard time for legal, commercial, and social purposes. Time zones tend to follow the boundaries of countries and their subdivisions because it is convenient for areas in close commercial or other communication to keep the same time.
How Time Zones Work
Time zones are defined by their offset from Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), ranging from UTC−12:00 to UTC+14:00. The offsets are usually a whole number of hours, but a few zones are offset by an additional 30 or 45 minutes (e.g., India, Nepal).
Daylight Saving Time
Many countries observe daylight saving time (DST) during part of the year, typically by advancing clocks by one hour in spring and adjusting back in autumn. This practice is controversial and not all countries participate.
Key Time Zone Facts
- There are 24 primary time zones (each roughly 15 degrees of longitude)
- The International Date Line marks where each new day begins
- China uses a single time zone (UTC+8) despite spanning five geographical time zones
- Some time zones have 30 or 45 minute offsets (e.g., India UTC+5:30, Nepal UTC+5:45)
- France has the most time zones (12) due to its overseas territories
Time Zone Abbreviations
Common time zone abbreviations include:
- UTC: Coordinated Universal Time (standard)
- GMT: Greenwich Mean Time (same as UTC)
- EST: Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5)
- CST: Central Standard Time (UTC-6)
- PST: Pacific Standard Time (UTC-8)
- CET: Central European Time (UTC+1)
- AEST: Australian Eastern Standard Time (UTC+10)