Current Time in
Time Zone
London observes Greenwich Mean Time
EST (UTC-5) or EDT (UTC-4)
Daylight Saving
Active
Clocks move forward in March, back in November
GMT Offset
-5:00
Hours difference from Greenwich Mean Time
⏰ When it's 12:00 PM in London
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Try Our World Clock Tool →About London Time Zone
London is located in the Greenwich Mean Time Zone, the foundation of the world's time system. As the capital of the United Kingdom and one of the world's leading financial centers, London's time zone serves as a crucial reference point for international business, particularly the overlap between Asian and American markets.
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) vs British Summer Time (BST)
London observes two different time standards throughout the year:
- Greenwich Mean Time (GMT): UTC+0 hours - Observed from the last Sunday in October through the last Sunday in March
- British Summer Time (BST): UTC+1 hour - Observed from the last Sunday in March through the last Sunday in October
During British Summer Time, clocks are moved forward by one hour at 1:00 AM GMT (becoming 2:00 AM BST) to provide more daylight during evening hours. The change back occurs at 2:00 AM BST (becoming 1:00 AM GMT) in October.
What Cities Share London's Time Zone?
The Greenwich Mean Time Zone is shared by several major cities across the UK and nearby regions:
- UK Cities: London, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cardiff, Belfast, Bristol, Leeds
- Countries Entirely in GMT/BST: United Kingdom, Ireland, Portugal (mainland), Canary Islands (Spain)
- Other GMT Cities: Dublin (Ireland), Lisbon (Portugal), Reykjavik (Iceland - no DST), Casablanca (Morocco)
Time Difference from Major World Cities
Understanding the time difference between London and other major world cities is essential for international business and travel:
- New York (EST/EDT): London is 5 hours ahead (4 hours briefly during DST transitions)
- Los Angeles (PST/PDT): London is 8 hours ahead (7 hours briefly during DST transitions)
- Tokyo (JST): London is 9 hours behind (8 hours during BST)
- Sydney (AEST/AEDT): London is 10-11 hours behind depending on season
- Dubai (GST): London is 4 hours behind (3 hours during BST)
- Hong Kong (HKT): London is 8 hours behind (7 hours during BST)
Business Hours in London
Understanding typical business hours in London is crucial for international communication:
- Standard Business Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM GMT/BST (Monday-Friday)
- London Stock Exchange: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM GMT/BST (trading hours)
- Banking Hours: Typically 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM GMT/BST (branch hours vary)
- Government Offices: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM GMT/BST
- Retail Hours: Typically 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM GMT/BST (extended hours in major areas)
Best Times to Call London
If you're calling London from another time zone or country, consider these guidelines:
- From US East Coast: Call between 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM your time to reach London business hours (7:00 PM - 11:00 PM London time)
- From US West Coast: Call between 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM your time to reach late London business hours
- From Asia (Tokyo/Hong Kong): Call between 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM your time to reach London business hours (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM GMT/BST)
- From Australia (Sydney): Call between 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM your time to reach London business hours
History of Greenwich Mean Time
Greenwich Mean Time originated at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London, which established the Prime Meridian (0° longitude) in 1884. Before standardized time zones, each city kept its own local time based on the sun's position. GMT became the international standard for civil time, and though UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) has technically replaced GMT for scientific purposes, GMT remains in common use for the UK's winter time zone. British Summer Time was first introduced in 1916 during World War I to conserve energy.
Frequently Asked Questions About London Time
What time zone is London in?
London is in the Greenwich Mean Time zone (GMT/UTC+0) during winter and British Summer Time (BST/UTC+1) during summer. The UK observes daylight saving time from late March to late October, when clocks move forward one hour to BST.
Is London currently on GMT or BST?
London observes British Summer Time (BST, UTC+1) from the last Sunday in March until the last Sunday in October. During the rest of the year, it observes Greenwich Mean Time (GMT, UTC+0). Check the live clock above to see the current time and timezone designation.
What is the time difference between London and New York?
London is typically 5 hours ahead of New York. When it's 12:00 PM (noon) in London, it's 7:00 AM in New York. This can briefly change to 4 hours when daylight saving time starts or ends on different dates in the US and UK.
What is the time difference between London and Los Angeles?
London is 8 hours ahead of Los Angeles during standard time, and 7 hours ahead during daylight saving time when both cities observe DST. When it's 12:00 PM in London, it's typically 4:00 AM in Los Angeles.
Does London observe daylight saving time?
Yes, London observes British Summer Time (BST). Clocks "spring forward" one hour on the last Sunday in March at 1:00 AM (becoming 2:00 AM), and "fall back" one hour on the last Sunday in October at 2:00 AM (becoming 1:00 AM). This schedule differs slightly from the US daylight saving time schedule.
What is the best time to call London from overseas?
The best time to call London from overseas is typically between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM GMT/BST (London business hours). From the US East Coast, call between 2:00 PM and 10:00 PM your time. From Asia, early morning your time works best to catch London's afternoon business hours.
When does London change time for daylight saving?
In London, British Summer Time begins on the last Sunday in March at 1:00 AM, when clocks move forward to 2:00 AM. It ends on the last Sunday in October at 2:00 AM, when clocks move back to 1:00 AM. This schedule is standardized across the United Kingdom and most of Europe.
What time is it in London right now?
The current time in London is displayed in the live clock at the top of this page, which updates every second. You can also see the current date, whether British Summer Time is active, and the exact timezone designation (GMT or BST).
Is London on Greenwich Mean Time?
London is the home of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). During winter months (November-March), London observes GMT (UTC+0). During summer months (March-October), London observes British Summer Time (BST, UTC+1). GMT is named after the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London, which established the prime meridian.
Why is London time called GMT?
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) is named after the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London, which established the prime meridian (0° longitude) in 1884. London's local time became the basis for the world's time zones. Today, London uses GMT in winter and BST (GMT+1) in summer.
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