US time zones
See every US time zone at a glance.
Use the live map to explore time zones across the United States. Check the current time in each region and plan meetings with a fast converter.
US time zone map
Approximate bandsTime zone bands are approximate. Click a zone in the list to zoom in.
Time zone converter
Plan a meetingUnderstanding US time zones and daylight saving time
The United States spans multiple time zones because it stretches thousands of miles from east to west. Most people live in the four contiguous zones: Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific. Alaska and Hawaii use their own zones because of their geographic separation. Knowing which zone you are in matters for everything from travel to remote work, especially when you are coordinating with people across the country.
Time zones are based on coordinated universal time (UTC), which is the global reference used by airlines, shipping, and software systems. Each US time zone is an offset from UTC. For example, Eastern Time is typically UTC-5 in the winter and UTC-4 in the summer. Those one-hour shifts are the result of daylight saving time, which moves clocks forward in spring and back in fall.
Daylight saving time basics
Daylight saving time (DST) begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November for most US states. During DST, clocks move forward one hour, which means sunsets happen later but mornings are darker. This shift can impact meetings, travel itineraries, and deadlines. The converter on this page uses the correct offset for the date you select so you do not have to guess.
Arizona and Hawaii do not observe DST. Arizona stays on Mountain Standard Time all year, while Hawaii stays on Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time. Parts of Indiana and other border regions can also differ based on local rules, so always confirm the official time if you are near a boundary.
Tips for scheduling across time zones
- Pick a base time zone and convert from there to avoid confusion.
- Use specific dates when planning around daylight saving changes.
- Share meeting times with both the zone name and the local time.
- Double-check early morning or late night meetings across coasts.
Whether you are booking a flight or coordinating a cross-country call, the key is clarity. Confirm the time zone, include the date, and communicate in a way that prevents surprises. With the map and converter above, you can plan quickly and confidently.