How many time zones are there in the USA? There are four time zones in the continental USA, plus Alaska and Hawaii have their own time zones. Thus, there are a total of six time zones in the USA, with three more in the unincorporated territories of Puerto Rico and the USA Virgin Islands (AST), American Samoa (SST), Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands (ChST).
What Time Is It in the USA?
To calculate the current time in the USA, you need to know the difference from the zero meridian and your location. Just look at the map above. Germany or The Netherlands are in the UTC+1 zone, so subtract one hour more from the current time than the map shows.
Example: You subtract 9 hours and find that it is now 11:00 in Los Angeles.
- Current time in Hawaii: 05:04
- Current time in Chicago: 10:04
- Current time in Las Vegas: 08:04
- Current time in Los Angeles: 08:04
- Current time in Miami: 11:04
- Current time in New York City: 11:04
- Current time in San Francisco: 08:04
Daylight Saving Time in the USA
“Daylight Saving Time” is abbreviated with the letter D in the middle (e.g., EDT). Daylight Saving Time begins in March when the clock at 2:00 a.m. shifts to 3:00 a.m. In autumn, it returns from 2:00 to 1:00.
In America, daylight saving time is in effect throughout the country, except in Hawaii and much of Arizona.
When Daylight Saving Time Changes in the USA
- 2023: March 12 – November 5
- 2024: March 10 – November 3
- 2025: March 9 – November 2
USA Time Zone Overview
Time zones in the USA are not always divided by state boundaries. For example, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Kansas fall into two time zones simultaneously.
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Eastern Standard Time
- Eastern Standard Time: EST, UTC-5
- Eastern Daylight Time: Eastern Daylight Time is valid from March to November – EDT, UTC-4
The EST/EDT time zone is located on the east coast of the USA, with 17 states falling fully within it. Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, and Tennessee all partially observe CST/CDT as well. The portion of Florida west of the Apalachicola River also recognizes CST/CDT.
US States in Eastern Time Zone
Connecticut, Delaware, Florida (except for the portion west of the Apalachicola River), Georgia, Indiana (except for a few counties near Chicago and Evansville), South Carolina, Kentucky (eastern half only), Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan (except for four counties in the Northwest), New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, North Carolina, Tennessee (eastern third of the state), Virginia, Washington D. C., West Virginia
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Central Standard Time
- Central Standard Time: CST, UTC-6
- Central Daylight Time: Central Daylight Time is observed from March to November – CDT, UTC-5
The Central Time Zone is the second most populous time zone after the Eastern Time Zone, encompassing 20 states, though some are only partially included.
US States in the Central Time Zone
Alabama, Arkansas, Florida (only the portion east of the Apalachicola River), Illinois, Indiana (a few counties near Chicago and Evansville only), Iowa, South Dakota (only the eastern half of the state), Kansas (excluding four counties near the Colorado border), Kentucky (western half only), Louisiana, Michigan (only four districts in the Northwest), Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska (eastern two-thirds of the state), Oklahoma, North Dakota, Tennessee (western two-thirds only), Texas (except Hudspeth and El Paso counties in the west), Wisconsin
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Mountain Standard Time
- Mountain Standard Time: MST, UTC-7
- Mountain Daylight Time: Mountain Daylight Time is observed from March to November – MDT, UTC-6
The Mountain Time Zone derives its name from the Rocky Mountains, which it almost entirely covers. Most of the state of Arizona does not observe Daylight Saving Time, and from March to November, it is on the same time as the West Coast. The area is marked in darker green.
US States in the Mountain Time Zone
Arizona (with the exception of the Navajo Nation area, daylight saving time does not apply here), Colorado, Idaho (south of the Salmon River), South Dakota (western half only), Kansas (Greeley, Hamilton, Sherman and Wallace counties in the west), Montana, Nebraska (western third of the state only), New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, North Dakota (only the southwest corner of the Missouri River), Texas (only El Paso and Hudspeth counties in the west).
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Pacific Standard Time
- Pacific Standard Time: PST, UTC-8
- Pacific Daylight Time: Pacific Daylight Time is observed from March to November – PDT, UTC-7
Pacific Time is used on the west coast of the USA, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Las Vegas.
US States in the Pacific Time Zone
Idaho (except Malheur County near the Idaho border), California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington
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Alaska Standard Time
- Alaska Standard Time: AKST, UTC-9
- Alaska Daylight Time: Alaska Daylight Saving Time is observed from March to November – AKDT, UTC-8
The Alaska Time Zone covers almost the entire state except for one city on the border with Canada. It uses Pacific time for practical reasons.
US States in the Alaska Time Zone
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Hawaii Standard Time
- Hawaii Standard Time: HAST, UTC-10
The Hawaiian Islands are in a separate time zone, HAST, and daylight saving time is not observed.
US States in the Hawaii Time Zone
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