Time Zone Converter
Convert time between different time zones worldwide. Perfect for scheduling international meetings and coordinating across continents.
How do I convert between time zones?
Time zone conversion steps: 1) Find time difference (hours offset). 2) Add/subtract hours from source time. 3) Account for date changes if needed. Example: 3:00 PM EST to PST. EST is UTC-5, PST is UTC-8. Difference: 3 hours earlier. 3:00 PM EST = 12:00 PM PST. Common conversions: EST to PST: -3 hours. GMT to EST: -5 hours. PST to Tokyo: +17 hours (next day). Tools: World clock websites, smartphone world clock, scheduling apps. Remember: Daylight Saving Time changes offsets (EST becomes EDT = UTC-4).
What are the major time zones and their UTC offsets?
Major time zones (standard time): US: PST (UTC-8), MST (UTC-7), CST (UTC-6), EST (UTC-5). Europe: GMT/UTC (UTC+0), CET (UTC+1), EET (UTC+2). Asia: IST India (UTC+5:30), CST China (UTC+8), JST Japan (UTC+9). Pacific: AEST Australia (UTC+10), NZST New Zealand (UTC+12). Daylight Saving: PDT (UTC-7), MDT (UTC-6), CDT (UTC-5), EDT (UTC-4). CEST (UTC+2), BST (UTC+1). Note: Not all regions use DST. China uses single time zone. Arizona (most) doesn't observe DST. Hawaii and most of Arizona stay on standard time year-round.
How does Daylight Saving Time affect time zone conversions?
DST impact on conversions: Spring forward (March/April): Clocks move 1 hour ahead. EST becomes EDT (UTC-4 instead of UTC-5). Time difference between zones may change if one observes DST and other doesn't. Fall back (October/November): Clocks move 1 hour back. Return to standard time. Important: Not all countries use DST. Southern hemisphere DST opposite (Oct-Mar). Some states/regions exempt (Arizona, Hawaii, parts of Australia). When converting: Check if both zones currently in DST. Use current offset, not standard. Example: Summer EST to GMT. EDT (UTC-4) to BST (UTC+1) = 5 hour difference. Winter EST to GMT. EST (UTC-5) to GMT (UTC+0) = 5 hour difference.
What is UTC and how is it used for time conversion?
UTC (Coordinated Universal Time): Global time standard, basis for all time zones. Replaces GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) for precision. No Daylight Saving Time adjustments. Used for: International coordination, aviation, military (Zulu time), internet servers, scientific research. How to use UTC: Convert local time to UTC first. Then convert UTC to target time zone. Example: 10:00 AM EST to Tokyo time. EST = UTC-5, so 10 AM EST = 3:00 PM UTC. Tokyo = UTC+9, so 3:00 PM UTC = 12:00 AM Tokyo (next day). Benefits: Universal reference point. Eliminates DST confusion. Precise for global coordination. UTC never changes (unlike local times).
How do I schedule meetings across multiple time zones?
Multi-timezone meeting tips: 1) Use UTC or common reference: State meeting time in UTC. Example: "Meeting at 14:00 UTC" = 9 AM EST, 2 PM GMT, 11 PM JST. 2) List all zones: "10 AM PST / 1 PM EST / 6 PM GMT / 2 AM JST". 3) Use tools: Google Calendar (auto-converts), World Time Buddy, Every Time Zone. 4) Find overlap: Work hours PST (9AM-5PM) = 12PM-8PM EST = 5PM-1AM GMT. Best overlap: 1-5 PM EST = 10 AM-2 PM PST = 6-10 PM GMT. 5) Be considerate: Rotate meeting times if someone always gets odd hours. Record meetings for those who can't attend. Avoid very early/late for anyone if possible.
What are common time zone conversion mistakes?
Common errors to avoid: 1) Forgetting DST: Time difference changes when DST starts/ends. Check current offsets, not just standard. 2) Date line confusion: Going east across Pacific adds a day. Sydney to LA: Might arrive "before" you left. 3) AM/PM errors: 12:00 AM = midnight (start of day). 12:00 PM = noon. Converting through midnight changes date. 4) Half-hour zones: India (UTC+5:30), Newfoundland (UTC-3:30), parts of Australia. Not all zones on hour boundaries. 5) Assuming DST: Arizona, Hawaii, many countries don't use it. 6) Wrong direction: EST to PST is -3 hours (earlier), not +3. 7) Mixing time systems: 24-hour vs 12-hour confusion. Prevention: Use reliable converter tools. Double-check DST status. Confirm with recipient if critical.
How do I convert my local time to different cities?
City time conversion guide: Major cities and typical offsets (from UTC): New York: UTC-5 (EST) / UTC-4 (EDT). Los Angeles: UTC-8 (PST) / UTC-7 (PDT). London: UTC+0 (GMT) / UTC+1 (BST). Paris: UTC+1 (CET) / UTC+2 (CEST). Tokyo: UTC+9 (JST, no DST). Sydney: UTC+10 (AEST) / UTC+11 (AEDT). Dubai: UTC+4 (GST, no DST). Singapore: UTC+8 (SGT, no DST). Method: Find your city's UTC offset. Find target city's UTC offset. Calculate difference. Example: LA (UTC-8) to Paris (UTC+1). Difference: +9 hours. 10 AM LA = 7 PM Paris. Remember: Check current DST status. Use world clock apps. Account for date changes if >12 hour difference.