Travel

Timezone Converter

Convert time between any two timezones instantly. See the current time in major cities around the world.

Quick Answer

Select your source timezone and time, then choose a target timezone. The converter handles UTC offset differences including half-hour and quarter-hour offsets (like India at UTC+5:30 and Nepal at UTC+5:45). Note: this uses standard time offsets and does not automatically adjust for daylight saving time.

:

Converted Time

3:00 PM

15:00 (CET)

Same day+6h difference

About This Tool

The world is divided into 24 primary time zones, each offset from Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) by whole hours, half hours, or even quarter hours. This timezone converter handles all standard offsets, making it easy to schedule calls, plan travel, or coordinate with international colleagues without manual math errors.

Understanding UTC Offsets

UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) is the global time standard. Each timezone is defined by its offset from UTC. Eastern Standard Time (EST) is UTC-5, meaning it is 5 hours behind UTC. Japan Standard Time (JST) is UTC+9. Some zones use fractional offsets: India Standard Time is UTC+5:30 and Nepal Standard Time is UTC+5:45. When converting between two zones, the difference equals their offset difference.

Daylight Saving Time

This calculator uses standard (non-DST) offsets. Many regions observe daylight saving time, shifting clocks forward by one hour during warmer months. The US and most of Europe observe DST, while countries like Japan, India, and China do not. During DST periods, you may need to add one hour to the offset for affected zones. DST dates vary by country and year.

International Date Line

When converting across many timezones, the date may change. If it is 11:00 PM in New York and you convert to Tokyo (14 hours ahead), the result is 1:00 PM the next day. This calculator indicates when the converted time falls on a different day. The International Date Line runs roughly along the 180th meridian in the Pacific Ocean, where the calendar date changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between UTC and GMT?
For practical purposes, UTC and GMT represent the same time (zero offset from the prime meridian). The difference is technical: UTC is a scientific time standard maintained by atomic clocks, while GMT is a timezone based on the Earth's rotation. GMT can drift slightly from UTC due to irregularities in Earth's rotation, but the difference is less than one second and is irrelevant for everyday use.
Why do some countries have half-hour timezones?
Countries like India (UTC+5:30), Iran (UTC+3:30), and Nepal (UTC+5:45) chose fractional offsets to better align clock time with solar noon. India's large east-west span means a whole-hour offset would leave one side significantly misaligned with the sun. Nepal's unusual UTC+5:45 offset was chosen to distinguish itself from India's timezone while remaining close to solar time.
Does this tool account for daylight saving time?
No, this tool uses standard (non-DST) time offsets year-round. During DST periods (typically March-November in the Northern Hemisphere), affected timezones shift one hour forward. For example, EST (UTC-5) becomes EDT (UTC-4) during summer. Always check whether your source or target timezone is currently observing DST and adjust accordingly.
How do I schedule a meeting across multiple timezones?
Find a time that falls within business hours (roughly 9 AM - 5 PM) for all participants. The overlap between US Eastern and Central European time is approximately 3 PM - 5 PM CET / 9 AM - 11 AM EST. For US-Asia meetings, early morning US time or late evening Asia time is usually necessary. Tools like this converter help identify the overlap window.
What timezone does China use?
Despite spanning five geographical time zones, all of China uses a single timezone: China Standard Time (CST) at UTC+8. This means sunrise in western China can be as late as 10 AM local time. In practice, some western regions like Xinjiang informally use an unofficial UTC+6 time for daily activities while still using CST for official purposes.

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