How to use this calculator
Select a source time zone from the "From" dropdown and a target time zone from the "To" dropdown. Enter the time you want to convert using the hour, minute, and AM/PM selectors. The converted time appears instantly below, along with a day change indicator if the conversion crosses midnight.
Use the quick presets to load common conversion pairs, or swap the zones with the arrow button. The meeting planner grid below the result shows all 24 hours in both zones side by side, with overlapping business hours highlighted in green.
Common time zone offsets from UTC
| Time Zone | Abbreviation | UTC Offset |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Time | ET (EST/EDT) | UTC-5 / UTC-4 |
| Central Time | CT (CST/CDT) | UTC-6 / UTC-5 |
| Mountain Time | MT (MST/MDT) | UTC-7 / UTC-6 |
| Pacific Time | PT (PST/PDT) | UTC-8 / UTC-7 |
| Greenwich Mean Time | GMT | UTC+0 |
| Central European Time | CET/CEST | UTC+1 / UTC+2 |
| India Standard Time | IST | UTC+5:30 |
| China Standard Time | CST | UTC+8 |
| Japan Standard Time | JST | UTC+9 |
| Australian Eastern | AEST/AEDT | UTC+10 / UTC+11 |
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert time between two time zones?
To convert time between two time zones, find the UTC offset for each zone, then add or subtract the difference. For example, Eastern Time (UTC-5) to Central European Time (UTC+1) is a 6-hour difference, so 9 AM ET is 3 PM CET. This converter handles the math automatically, including Daylight Saving adjustments.
What is the difference between EST and EDT?
EST (Eastern Standard Time) is UTC-5 and is used from November to March. EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) is UTC-4 and is used from March to November. The one-hour difference is due to Daylight Saving Time. When in doubt, use "ET" (Eastern Time) which covers both automatically.
Does every country observe Daylight Saving Time?
No. Most of Asia, Africa, and South America do not observe DST. Notable regions that do include most of Europe, most of North America, parts of Australia, and New Zealand. Countries near the equator generally do not change their clocks because daylight hours remain relatively constant year-round.
What is UTC and how does it relate to GMT?
UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) is the world's primary time standard and is essentially the same as GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) for everyday purposes. The key difference is that UTC is a precise scientific standard maintained by atomic clocks, while GMT is a time zone. UTC does not observe Daylight Saving Time.
How do I find the best meeting time across multiple time zones?
Use the meeting planner grid above that shows business hours (9 AM to 5 PM) in each time zone side by side. Look for the green overlapping hours where both parties are within working hours. If there is no overlap, which is common between the US and Asia, consider rotating meeting times so the inconvenience is shared equally.