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Eastern Standard Time (EST)

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EST time now

12:51:16
Sun, 6 Jul 2025
UTC Offset: UTC -5

Eastern Standard Time (EST) operates at UTC−5 and serves as the primary standard time for the eastern portion of North America. It is also known simply as "Eastern Time," covering both its standard form (EST) and its daylight saving form, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT, UTC−4). EST is widely recognized across the eastern United States, eastern Canada, parts of the Caribbean, and Central America. Originating from the need to coordinate railroads and commerce in the 19th century, EST remains an essential time reference for millions, even as UTC is used for precise global timekeeping.

Importance and Global Use of EST

EST is one of the most influential time zones in the world, serving major financial and political centers such as New York, Washington D.C., Toronto, and Miami. Its consistent scheduling supports crucial activities in finance, government, transportation, broadcasting, and technology throughout these densely populated regions. Many global organizations and stock exchanges coordinate their schedules based on Eastern Time, making it a critical reference point.

On a broader scale, EST is important for international coordination with Europe, Asia, and Latin America, providing a predictable framework for trade, communication, and travel. The widespread use of EST as a reference supports smooth cross-border collaboration, especially in industries and services that rely on real-time operations across multiple continents.

Where and When EST is used worldwide

North America

US states using EST during winter and EDT during summer:

  • Alabama - Phenix City only InfoRest of Alabama follow CST/CDT time zones.
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • District of Columbia
  • Florida - all except northwestern counties InfoBay, Calhoun, Escambia, Holmes, Jackson, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, Washington, and northern part of Gulf counties in Florida follow CST/CDT time zones.
  • Georgia
  • Indiana - all except 12 counties InfoNorthwestern counties near Chicago (Jasper, Lake, LaPorte, Newton, Porter, and Starke) and southwestern counties near Evansville (Gibson, Perry, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh, and Warrick) follow CST/CDT time zones.
  • Kentucky - eastern half counties InfoEastern half counties are: Anderson, Bath, Bell, Boone, Bourbon, Boyd, Boyle, Bracken, Breathitt, Bullitt, Campbell, Carroll, Carter, Casey, Clark, Clay, Elliott, Estill, Fayette, Fleming, Floyd, Franklin, Gallatin, Garrard, Grant, Greenup, Hardin, Harlan, Harrison, Henry, Jackson, Jefferson, Jessamine, Johnson, Kenton, Knott, Knox, Larue, Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Lewis, Lincoln, McCreary, Madison, Magoffin, Marion, Martin, Mason, Meade, Menifee, Mercer, Montgomery, Morgan, Nelson, Nicholas, Oldham, Owen, Owsley, Pendleton, Perry, Pike, Powell, Pulaski, Robertson, Rockcastle, Rowan, Scott, Shelby, Spencer, Taylor, Trimble, Washington, Wayne, Whitley, Wolfe, and Woodford.
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan - all except 4 counties InfoDickinson, Gogebic, Iron, and Menominee follow CST/CDT time zones.
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee - eastern counties InfoEastern counties are: Anderson, Blount, Bradley, Campbell, Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hamilton, Hancock, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Loudon, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Polk, Rhea, Roane, Scott, Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, Union, and Washington
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • West Virginia

Canadian provinces and territories using EST during winter and EDT during summer:

  • Nunavut - east of 85° West, and all communities in the Qikiqtaaluk Region except Resolute
  • Ontario - most part of east of 90° West and two communities in west of 90° West Infoeast of 90° West (except the Big Trout Lake area) and west of 90° West: Shebandowan and Upsala areas
  • Quebec - most of the province InfoExcept areas east of 63°W longitude which follows AST all year.

Canadian provinces and territories using EST all year:

  • Nunavut - Southampton Island (Coral Harbour) only
  • Ontario - west of 90° West: Atikokan area and New Osnaburgh / Pickle Lake area

Mexican states using EST all year:

  • Quintana Roo

Caribbean

Caribbean countries and territories using EST during winter and EDT during summer:

  • Bahamas
  • Haiti
  • Turks and Caicos Islands

Caribbean countries and territories using EST all year:

  • Cayman Islands
  • Jamaica

Central America

Central American countries using EST all year:

  • Panama

Other Time Zones in UTC -5

Other time zones share the same offset as Eastern Standard Time (EST), but are known by different names. While their clocks align, they may represent different regions or countries based on local time zone definitions.

Time Zones Around the World by Region

Complete Time Zone Abbreviations List
Time Zone Converter| Clock Widget| Time Zones
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