The world is divided up into about 24 time zones. We say about because some states, regions or countries shift their times by half an hour from the strict 24 hour divisions. Standard time within most time zones is an integral number of hours offset from a time scale called Coordinated Universal Time (abbreviated UTC), maintained by a large number of very precise “atomic clocks” at laboratories around the world, including the U.S. Naval Observatory. For nontechnical purposes, we can presume that Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) is the same as Greenwich Meridian Time (GMT), although their exact definitions differ.
Click here to expand image above
To translate UTC into your local time, use the following table:
United States
|Atlantic Daylight Time|>. subtract 3 hours from UTC|
|Atlantic Standard Time|>. subtract 4 hours from UTC|
|Eastern Daylight Time|>. subtract 4 hours from UTC|
|Eastern Standard Time|>. subtract 5 hours from UTC|
|Central Daylight Time|>. subtract 5 hours from UTC|
|Central Standard Time|>. subtract 6 hours from UTC|
|Mountain Daylight Time|>. subtract 6 hours from UTC|
|Mountain Standard Time|>. subtract 7 hours from UTC|
|Pacific Daylight Time|>. subtract 7 hours from UTC|
|Pacific Standard Time|>. subtract 8 hours from UTC|
|Alaska Daylight Time|>. subtract 8 hours from UTC|
|Alaska Standard Time|>. subtract 9 hours from UTC|
|Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time|>. subtract 10 hours from UTC|
|Samoa Standard Time|>. subtract 11 hours from UTC|
Europe/Middle East
|Greenwich Mean Time|>. same as UTC|
|British Summer Time|>. add 1 hour to UTC|
|Central European Time|>. add 1 hour to UTC|
|Central European Summer Time|>. add 2 hours to UTC|
|Eastern European Time|>. add 2 hour to UTC|
|Eastern European Summer Time|>. add 3 hours to UTC|
|Charlie Time (Mid East)|>. add 3 hour to UTC|
|Delta Time (Mid East)|>. add 4 hour to UTC|
Australia
|Western Standard Time|>. add 8 hours to UTC|
|Western Summer Time|>. add 9 hours to UTC|
|Central Standard Time|>. add 9:30 hours to UTC|
|Central Summer Time|>. add 10:30 hours to UTC|
|Eastern Time|>. add 10 hours to UTC|
|Eastern Summer Time|>. add 11 hours to UTC|
Asia and Africa time zones
Examples of how to convert from UTC to your local time
Let’s say you live in Houston, Texas, which is in Central Standard Time (U.S.). To convert 18 UTC into your local time, subtract 6 hours, to get 12 CST. During daylight saving (summer) time, you would only subtract 5 hours, so 18 UTC would convert to 13 CDT.
Or, let’s say you’re in Paris, France, which is in Central European Time. To convert 18 UTC into your local time, add 1 hour, to get 19 CET. In summer, add 2 hours to get 20 CEST.
When converting zone time to or from UTC, dates must be properly taken into account. For example, 10 March at 02 UTC is the same as 9 March at 21 EST (U.S.).
The table can also be used to determine the difference between the time observed in any two zones. For example, the table shows that Eastern Standard Time is three hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time (U.S.).
Bottom line: The Earth has 24 time zones, but when astronomers mention a time, it’s often “Universal Time.” This article explains how to translate Universal Time, or UTC, to your local time zone.
EarthSky,
Thank you so much!!! This is so helpful to me as I have precious family that lives in other parts of this world and can\’t always remember how many hours difference thier time zone is from mine.
Much Appreciation
Bonnie
THIS IS SOOOO COOL!
SWEET! NOW I CAN FLY A PLANE!!!!!!!!
IMMA STAR!!!!
if it is 18:00 CET, what time would that equate to in Calgary, Canada?
“Universal Time Coordinated (abbreviated UTC)” should be
“Coordinated Universal Time (abbreviated UTC)” see http://www.usno.navy.mil/USNO/time/master-clock/systems-of-time
Asia does not exist?
hi! do you know where I can get the ghostbusters theme song (mp3)?, thx! Mike.
I thought I knew Gren-itch Mean Time,… and which way the world turned. I added and subtracted and could come up only with what appears to be meaningless numbers. I must be thinking UTM (The Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinate system)on which Time is also based. At least the acronym translates directly. UTC? Universal Coordinate Time? It’s another language without being stoned. Say no! It makes sense to only those who know.
Rob Gut.
stone_age_pipe, how about letting us know which time zone you’re in. We might be able to help you. Bruce
hi…I’m yolly from the philippines…i dunno if i’m just plain dumb or what, but i really couldn’t figure out how to convert our time here in my country…where do i subtract it from??? GMT or UTC??? all i know is that we are 4 hrs ahead of Abu Dhabi and !@ hrs ahead of NY…but i sometimes want to join in some universal chats and i dunno how to convert it here so i can join… for example, they say at 8-9pm central time – how do i convert that to our timezone here… thank you so much for taking time to accomodate me… hoping you could really help me out…God bless
yolly,
UTC (Coordinated Universal Time), Universal Time (UT) and GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) can be regarded as the same thing. In the Philippines, you add 8 hours to Universal Time (UT). For Central Standard Time, you subtract 6 hours ( or for Central Daylight Time: subtract 5 hours) from UT.
Let’s give a concrete example: On Dec. 21, 2010, there will be a partial eclipse of the moon from 8:53 to 10:01 UT. Add 8 hours to translate to the clock time in the Phillipines. That’s 16:53 (4:53 p.m.) to 18:01 (6:01 p.m.) your time. Look for the partially eclipsed moon very low in your east-northeast sky. Binoculars may help!
Bruce
so, if the sky is design for 9pm, about what time did Jupiter rise?
And what is the different each time of every stars from the sky?
dhee,
Jupiter is at opposition on September 21, 2010, so Jupiter rises around sunset and sets around sunrise. Go to our almanac page at http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/sunrisesunset-moonrisemoonset-almanacs to know the rising and setting times for the planets and brighter stars.
Bruce
Ok…just to double check,
I have the December 2010 Lunar Eclipse in Illinos at
_Partial eclipse starts 12:33pm CST…
Is that correct?
Mark K.
Mark,
The partial eclipse starts at 12:33 am CST on December 21. For more on eclipse times, click on and scroll down to the bottom of the upcoming program Total lunar eclipse on December 20 or 21, depending on time zone at http://earthsky.org/tonight/total-lunar-eclipse-for-the-americas-on-night-of-december-2021.
Bruce
Can Asian also use this side?
If yes how the Asian calculate universal time to its time
Sugan,
Where do you live in Asia? Or try this more detailed map at http://www.worldtimezone.com/.
Bruce
What time is the best time to see the elclipse in new zealand please bruce?
Africa and Asia just don’t cut it – we probably (in Africa anyway) don’t produce enough greenhouse gases!!!!
[...] times for the eclipse – below – are listed in Universal Time (and U.S. time [...]
need help.
im in sydney ,australia..will the eclipse be tonight at 11:00pm?
is that correct?
thank you.
Ingrid,
Look for the eclipsed moon very low in the east-northeast immediately after sunset on Tuesday, Dec. 21. Binoculars may be helpful. The partial eclipse will be greatest at sunset, and will diminish thereafter. The partial eclipse will end at 9:01 p.m. (your time) on Tuesday, Dec. 21.
Bruce
In Singapore some Hindu Temples are celebrating Full Moon today, Monday 20th.Dec 10.(UT+8) but some temple are celebrating tomarrow 21st. tuesday.
when asked they say some calculations says Monday and Tuesday.(when adding time adjustment they confused?)
Why is that confusion Sir.
Thanks and regards.
STrajah
Seeni,
The full moon comes on Tueday, Dec. 21, at 8:13 Universal Time. UT + 8 makes 16:13 (4:13 p.m.) on Tuesday, Dec. 21.
[...] America, you can observe the eclipse, with totality beginning at 23:41 PST December 20, 2010 (07:41 UT December 21, 2010). The partial eclipse begins at 22:33 PST December 20, 2010 (06:33 UT December [...]
what about Canada, British Columbia?
Just wondering what time would be the best time to see the eclipse in new zealand please.
I live here on the West Coast of Kazakhstan. The sky is crystal clear and a full Moon. Do I get to see the eclipse?
If so what time? time here now is 19:56 pm.
Would love to see this !
BR
Mike
Thank you so much for this article! It has really helped with future plans and figuring out precise times with the simple math. However, does August fall under Standard time or Daylight time when trying to calculate UT into Alaska time?
Happy almost new year! = )
In your translation table, you have:
|Hawaii-Aleutian Daylight Time|>. subtract 9 hours from UTC|
Hawai`i does not observe Daylight Saving Time.
Aloha,
Michael
Thank you Michael. The correction has been made.
The next Transit of Venus will occur on June 6, 2012, and an on-line look-up chart for actual times notes that it will be seen in Northeast US cities beginning at around 22 hours UT, at about 30 degrees of elevation. Your translator to EDT indicates minus four hours, which suggests 6PM. That’s late afternoon with the sun rather low toward the northwest, e.g. from the 45th Parallel at that time of year, just two weeks shy of the Summer Solstice. Is this the correct interpretation for the time and sky location for the observation from e.g. Albany, NY?
Thanks,
Tom Raymond
Beaverton, OR and Cambridge, NY
And it just gets more complicated. For astronomical reasons I have to calculate the time of local (meridional) solar transit. This requires application of the Equation of Time correction factor. This is given in tables based on midnight Universal time. The time zones also have letter designations. Greenwich = Universal is designated “Z” and is also known as Zulu time. In addition Britain now uses the European time zone which is an hour ahead of it’s own Greenwich meridian.
It is a mystery to me why an astronomical value of a midday event is given for midnight Universal time. I solved this convoluted thinking by treating Midnight UT as midday New Zealand time (they are the same instant) and then adjusting the Equation of time value to my time zone as it differs from New Zealand. The Value of EOT changes continually and must itself be adjusted for the local meridian. Of course my state (Arizona) is the odd man out and doesn’t observe daylight saving time. I am ever so thankful for GPS devices and radio signal controlled clocks (“atomic” clocks).
[...] Written by earthsky [...]
Thanks for the information. I think the Universal time is the same a GMT reading the previous posts.
Typo,
EarthSky relies on the Observer’s Handbook for a good deal of its information. I quote from page 48 of the 2011 Observer’s Handbook, “The term Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) over the years has had three different meanings . . . To avoid confusion, the term Greenwich Mean Time should not be used.” So we follow their advice.
Bruce
It is a mystery to me why an astronomical value of a midday event is given for midnight Universal time. I solved this convoluted thinking by treating Midnight UT as midday New Zealand time (they are the same instant) and then adjusting the Equation of time value to my time zone as it differs from New Zealand. The Value of EOT changes continually and must itself be adjusted for the local meridian. Of course my state (Arizona) is the odd man out and doesn’t observe daylight saving time. I am ever so thankful for GPS devices and radio signal controlled clocks (“atomic” clocks).
[...] How do I translate Universal Time into my time? [...]
[...] to know the time in your location? Check out EarthSky’s article How do I translate Universal Time into my time? And just remember: you’re translating from 17:16 Universal Time, Tuesday, June [...]
if its 9pm thursday 23rd in australia what time would it be in central europe, dunno if this relates but would help
[...] closest full moon to the autumn equinox reaches the crest of its full phase on September 12 at 9:27 Universal Time. That means the moon turns exactly full for us in the continental U.S. in the wee hours before [...]
[...] of them all – the legendary Harvest Moon. The moon reached the crest of its full phase at 09:27 Universal Time this morning, on September 12. That was 4:27 a.m. this morning for the central [...]
[...] wild prairie man In 2011 the northern hemisphere’s autumn equinox falls on September 23, at 9:05 Universal Time. [...]
[...] Translate to your time zone. [...]
[...] anywhere from 200 to 1000 meteors per hour. The peak is predicted to occur between 17:00 and 18:00 Universal Time on October 8, 2001. If correct this means Europe, northern Africa and the Middle East will get to [...]
[...] Best seen from North America, a tiny asteroid 2005 YU55 will competition distant opposite a constellations in only 11 hours on a night of Nov 8-9, 2011. Image pleasantness of Sky Telescope magazine. All times given in Universal Time. Translate to your time zone [...]
[...] Translate your time zone to Universal Time [...]
give time for india
[...] How do I translate Universal Time into my clock time? [...]
[...] The actual moment of the Solstice varies each year. This year it occurs at 5:30 a.m.(Universal Time) on December 22nd. That means the moment of the Solstice here on the West Coast of the U.S. will be at 8:30 p.m. on the 21st. Find out when it occurs in your own time zone here. [...]
[...] to retrograde or go westward in front of the backdrop stars on January 25, at 1 Universal Time (UT). For clocks in the Central Time zone in North America, the Martian retrograde begins today [...]
[...] moon turns full today (Tuesday, February 7) at 21:54 Universal Time. That’s 4:54 p.m. EST, 3:54 p.m. CST, 2:54 p.m. MST or 1:54 p.m. PST. The image at top – a [...]
I think this is one of the most important info for me. And i’m glad reading your article. But should commentary on some general issues, The site taste is great, the articles is really nice : D. Excellent process, cheers
Here you can find a real UTC map, not that crappy one in the article, which is totally useless.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ad/Standard_time_zones_of_the_world.png
Hi Charlie, well, many people did find our chart useful, but I agree the one you point to is better. We added it! Thank you.
Deborah
I simply could not go away your site prior to suggesting that I really enjoyed the usual info a person supply for your guests? Is gonna be back ceaselessly in order to investigate cross-check new posts
Your Paris example is incorrect — according to the map Paris is in “0″ GMT or UTC. You do not add or subtract anything.
It looks like somebody hast there head up somewhere it should not be ; )
Your Paris example is incorrect according to the map. Paris is in “0″ GMT or UTC. You do not add or subtract anything.
It looks like somebody has there head up somewhere it should not be ; )
Keri,
Please look more closely at the map. The United Kingdom and Ireland are in a different time zone than is Paris, France. Pay attention to the color code: yellow-green for Greenwich Time and green for Central European Time.
Bruce
[...] Central Daylight Time. This same full moon falls tomorrow (Sunday, May 6) at 3:35 Universal Time (UT) – the standard time at the prime meridian of 0o longitude, or, for example, in Greenwich, [...]