New York Time Zone: The Complete Guide
Everything you need to know about time in the city that never sleeps
If you've ever tried to schedule a meeting with someone in New York, figure out when the stock market opens, or wondered if that store on Fifth Avenue will still be open when you arrive — you know how confusing time zones can be.
New York City runs on Eastern Time (ET), which is either EST (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-5) or EDT (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-4), depending on the time of year. The city switches to daylight saving time in March and falls back in November.
But knowing the technical details is just the beginning. What really matters is understanding how time works in practice in New York — when businesses actually open, when the subway gets packed, and when you can realistically expect someone to answer your call.
That's exactly what this guide covers. Whether you're planning a trip, coordinating with colleagues, or just curious about life in NYC, you'll find everything you need below.
⚡ Quick Facts: New York Time Zone
Time Zone Basics
- • Standard Time: EST (UTC-5)
- • Daylight Saving: EDT (UTC-4)
- • DST Starts: Second Sunday of March
- • DST Ends: First Sunday of November
Key Time Differences
- • London: +5 hours (usually)
- • Tokyo: +14 hours
- • Dubai: +9 hours
- • Los Angeles: -3 hours
Need exact conversions? Try our Time Converter
Explore the Complete Guide
Business Hours
Banks, offices, stores, and government hours in NYC
Best Time to Visit
Month-by-month weather, crowds, and events guide
Remote Work Guide
Working with NYC teams across time zones
24 Hours in NYC
The city's daily rhythm from dawn to night
Best Time to Call
Optimal calling times from major cities worldwide
Stock Market Hours
NYSE & NASDAQ trading times for global investors
Public Holidays 2025
Bank holidays, closures, and what to expect
Digital Nomad Guide
Coworking, cafes, WiFi, and cost of living
Time Difference
NYC time compared to London, Tokyo, Dubai, and more
Travel Planning
Flight times, jet lag tips, and arrival advice
Understanding New York Time
EST vs EDT: What's the Difference?
Here's something that trips up a lot of people: New York isn't always on EST (Eastern Standard Time). For about 8 months of the year, the city actually observes EDT (Eastern Daylight Time), which is one hour ahead.
The switch happens in March when clocks "spring forward" by an hour, and again in November when they "fall back." If you're scheduling something months in advance, it's worth double-checking whether daylight saving time will be in effect.
Pro tip: When in doubt, just say "Eastern Time" or "ET" — that automatically accounts for whichever one is currently active.
Why New York Time Matters Globally
New York isn't just any city — it's the financial capital of the world. When Wall Street opens at 9:30 AM Eastern, traders in London, Tokyo, and Sydney are all paying attention. The NYSE trading hours essentially set the rhythm for global markets.
Beyond finance, New York serves as the headquarters for countless international businesses, media companies, and the United Nations. Understanding NYC time is practically a requirement for anyone working in global business.
What You'll Find in This Guide
I've organized this guide into sections based on what people actually need to know. Here's a quick overview:
For Business Travelers & Professionals
Check out Business Hours, Stock Market Hours, and Best Time to Call.
For Remote Workers & Global Teams
The Remote Work Guide and Time Difference pages will help you coordinate across time zones.
For Tourists & Visitors
Start with Best Time to Visit, Travel Planning, and 24 Hours in NYC.
For Digital Nomads
The Digital Nomad Guide covers coworking spaces, cafes, costs, and tips for working remotely in NYC.
🛠️ Helpful Tools
Need to do a quick calculation? These tools work great alongside this guide:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York EST or EDT right now?
New York is currently on EST (Eastern Standard Time), which is UTC-5. Clocks will 'spring forward' to EDT in March.
How many hours ahead is New York from California?
New York is always 3 hours ahead of California (Pacific Time). When it's 9 AM in New York, it's 6 AM in Los Angeles. Both states observe daylight saving time on the same dates, so the difference stays constant year-round.
What time does New York Stock Exchange open?
The NYSE opens at 9:30 AM and closes at 4:00 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. Pre-market trading starts as early as 4:00 AM, and after-hours trading continues until 8:00 PM. See our stock market hours guide for times in your local zone.
When is the best time to call New York from Europe?
If you're in the UK or Western Europe, aim for late afternoon your time (2 PM - 6 PM). That corresponds to morning in New York (9 AM - 1 PM), which is ideal for business calls. Check our call times guide for other regions.
Does New York observe Daylight Saving Time?
Yes, New York follows DST along with most of the United States. Clocks move forward one hour on the second Sunday of March and back one hour on the first Sunday of November. This has been the pattern since 2007 under the Energy Policy Act.
Need the Current Time in New York?
Check our live clock with weather, sunrise/sunset times, and more.
View New York Time Now →Last updated: December 2025. Information is reviewed monthly for accuracy.