Free Time Zone Converter — Global Time & Meeting Planner
Convert time zones accurately with DST awareness. Plan international meetings in seconds.
How to Use the Time Zone Converter
1) Pick Locations and Date/Time
- Select source and destination cities or time zones.
- Choose a date/time to account for DST changes.
2) Compare and Share
- See overlapping business hours for remote teams.
- Copy converted time or add to calendar.
Understanding Time Zones
Time zones are regions of the Earth that observe a uniform standard time. Understanding them is crucial for global communication:
- UTC (Coordinated Universal Time): The primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks
- GMT (Greenwich Mean Time): The mean solar time at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London
- DST (Daylight Saving Time): The practice of advancing clocks during warmer months
- Offset: The difference in hours and minutes from UTC
Major Time Zones Around the World
Here are the most commonly used time zones for international business and travel:
- UTC+0 (GMT): London, Dublin, Lisbon
- UTC+1 (CET): Paris, Berlin, Rome, Madrid
- UTC+2 (EET): Athens, Helsinki, Cairo
- UTC+3 (MSK): Moscow, Istanbul, Nairobi
- UTC+5:30 (IST): New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore
- UTC+8 (CST): Beijing, Singapore, Manila
- UTC+9 (JST): Tokyo, Seoul, Seoul
- UTC-5 (EST): New York, Toronto, Miami
- UTC-8 (PST): Los Angeles, Vancouver, Seattle
- UTC+10 (AEST): Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane
Daylight Saving Time (DST)
DST is the practice of advancing clocks during warmer months to extend evening daylight:
- Spring Forward: Clocks move forward by 1 hour (lose 1 hour of sleep)
- Fall Back: Clocks move backward by 1 hour (gain 1 hour of sleep)
- Northern Hemisphere: DST typically runs from March to November
- Southern Hemisphere: DST typically runs from September to April
- Not All Countries: Some countries don't observe DST at all
Tips for Scheduling Across Time Zones
- Rotate meeting times to share inconvenience fairly.
- Confirm DST windows around spring/fall transitions.
- Prefer 24‑hour time to avoid AM/PM confusion.
- Use time zone abbreviations consistently
- Consider local holidays and working hours
- Provide multiple time options for large meetings
- Use calendar tools that handle time zones automatically
- Double-check times during DST transition periods
Common Time Zone Abbreviations
Understanding time zone abbreviations helps you communicate times clearly:
- UTC/GMT: Coordinated Universal Time / Greenwich Mean Time
- EST/EDT: Eastern Standard/Daylight Time (UTC-5/-4)
- CST/CDT: Central Standard/Daylight Time (UTC-6/-5)
- MST/MDT: Mountain Standard/Daylight Time (UTC-7/-6)
- PST/PDT: Pacific Standard/Daylight Time (UTC-8/-7)
- CET/CEST: Central European Time/Daylight Time (UTC+1/+2)
- IST: Indian Standard Time (UTC+5:30)
- JST: Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
Business Hours and Meeting Planning
Effective meeting planning across time zones requires understanding business hours:
- Standard Business Hours: 9 AM - 5 PM local time
- Global Teams: Find overlapping hours for all participants
- Flexible Scheduling: Consider early morning or evening meetings
- Time Zone Etiquette: Rotate meeting times to share inconvenience
- Advance Notice: Provide sufficient time for preparation
- Clear Communication: Always specify time zones in invitations
Travel and Time Zone Considerations
When traveling across time zones, consider these factors:
- Jet Lag: Allow time for adjustment to new time zones
- Flight Times: Consider time zone changes when booking flights
- Local Time: Always check local time at your destination
- Business Hours: Verify local business hours and holidays
- Communication: Inform contacts of your travel schedule
- Technology: Update devices to local time zones
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert time between different time zones?
Use our time zone converter by selecting your source and destination cities, then enter the time you want to convert. The tool handles DST automatically.
What's the difference between UTC and GMT?
UTC is the modern standard, while GMT is based on solar time. For practical purposes, they're often used interchangeably, but UTC is more precise.
How does daylight saving time affect time zone conversion?
DST changes the offset from UTC by 1 hour. Our converter automatically accounts for DST rules, but always double-check during transition periods.
Can I convert times for future dates?
Yes, our converter can handle future dates and will account for DST changes that may occur between now and your target date.
What if a country doesn't observe daylight saving time?
Our converter knows which countries observe DST and which don't, so it will show the correct time regardless of DST status.