Are you trying to figure out What Time Is It Est Right Now? You’ve come to the right place! Eastern Standard Time (EST) is a widely recognized time zone, especially if you are connecting with people or businesses along the East Coast of North America. EST is observed during the winter months, and it’s crucial to understand its relationship with UTC/GMT and Daylight Saving Time to accurately know the current time.
Understanding Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Eastern Standard Time (EST) is the time zone along the eastern coast of North America. It operates at UTC/GMT -5 during standard time. This means that when it is 12:00 PM (noon) in UTC/GMT, it is 7:00 AM EST. The time in this zone is calculated based on the mean solar time of the 75th meridian west of the Greenwich Observatory in London.
In the United States and Canada, “Eastern Time (ET)” is the general term used. Specifically, during the winter, it’s called Eastern Standard Time (EST), and during the spring, summer, and fall, it transitions to Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
Alt: Map of North American time zones showing Eastern Time in relation to Central, Mountain, Pacific, Alaska, and Hawaii-Aleutian time zones.
Daylight Saving Time and Eastern Time
Daylight Saving Time (DST) is observed in the Eastern Time Zone. Since 2007, the transition from EST to EDT happens on the second Sunday in March at 2:00 AM local standard time, when clocks are moved forward to 3:00 AM local daylight time. The return from EDT back to EST occurs on the first Sunday in November at 2:00 AM local daylight time, when clocks are turned back to 1:00 AM local standard time.
This shift ensures that people in the Eastern Time Zone get to experience daylight for longer during the evening in the warmer months.
| Year | Begins | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | March 8 | November 1 |
| 2021 | March 14 | November 7 |
| 2022 | March 13 | November 6 |
| 2023 | March 12 | November 5 |
| 2024 | March 10 | November 3 |
| 2025 | March 9 | November 2 |
| 2026 | March 8 | November 1 |
| 2027 | March 14 | November 7 |
| 2028 | March 12 | November 5 |
| 2029 | March 11 | November 4 |Alt: Table showing Daylight Saving Time start and end dates in the USA and Canada from 2020 to 2029.
EST in the Context of North American Time Zones
North America spans several time zones, from Hawaii-Aleutian Time in the west to Newfoundland Time in the east. EST is positioned in the central part of these time zones, specifically:
| Hours from UTC/GMT | Standard Time | Daylight Saving Time |
|---|---|---|
| -10 | Hawaii-Aleutian | |
| -9 | Alaska | Hawaii-Aleutian |
| -8 | Pacific | Alaska |
| -7 | Mountain | Pacific |
| -6 | Central | Mountain |
| -5 | Eastern | Central |
| -4 | Atlantic | Eastern |
| -3:30 | Newfoundland | |
| -3 | Atlantic | |
| -2:30 | Newfoundland |
Understanding EST and its relation to other time zones helps in scheduling calls, meetings, or simply knowing the time in different parts of North America.
GMT and UTC: The Basis of Time Zones
It’s important to note the relationship of EST with Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). GMT is the mean solar time at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London. For practical purposes, especially when seconds are not critical, GMT and UTC are considered equivalent. UTC is the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time.
When you need to know what time is it EST right now, remember it’s UTC/GMT -5 during standard time and UTC/GMT -4 during Daylight Saving Time. For the most accurate current time in EST, it’s always best to consult a live clock or time zone converter.
