Current Time in
Time Zone
Los Angeles observes Eastern Time
EST (UTC-8) or EDT (UTC-8)
Daylight Saving
Active
Clocks move forward in March, back in November
GMT Offset
-8:00
Hours difference from Greenwich Mean Time
⏰ When it's 12:00 PM in Los Angeles
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Try Our World Clock Tool →About Los Angeles Time Zone
Los Angeles is located in the Pacific Time Zone, the westernmost time zone in the contiguous United States. As the entertainment capital of the world and the second-largest city in the United States with over 4 million people in the city proper and 13 million in the greater metropolitan area, Los Angeles' time zone is crucial for the film, television, and technology industries.
Pacific Standard Time (PST) vs Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)
Los Angeles observes two different time standards throughout the year:
- Pacific Standard Time (PST): UTC-8 hours - Observed from the first Sunday in November through the second Sunday in March
- Pacific Daylight Time (PDT): UTC-7 hours - Observed from the second Sunday in March through the first Sunday in November
During daylight saving time, clocks are moved forward by one hour at 2:00 AM PST (becoming 3:00 AM PDT) to provide more daylight during evening hours. The change back happens at 2:00 AM PDT (becoming 1:00 AM PST) in November.
What Cities Share Los Angeles' Time Zone?
The Pacific Time Zone is shared by several major cities along the U.S. West Coast and beyond:
- California Cities: Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, San Jose, Sacramento, Oakland, Long Beach, Fresno
- Other West Coast Cities: Seattle, Portland, Spokane (Washington); Eugene, Salem (Oregon); Las Vegas, Reno (Nevada)
- States Entirely in PT: California, Washington, most of Nevada, most of Oregon
- Canadian Cities: Vancouver, Victoria (British Columbia)
Time Difference from Other US Time Zones
Understanding the time difference between Los Angeles and other major U.S. cities is essential for business communications and travel:
- Eastern Time (New York, Miami, Atlanta): Los Angeles is 3 hours behind
- Central Time (Chicago, Dallas, Houston): Los Angeles is 2 hours behind
- Mountain Time (Denver, Phoenix): Los Angeles is 1 hour behind (note: Arizona doesn't observe DST)
- Alaska Time: Los Angeles is 1 hour ahead
- Hawaii Time: Los Angeles is 2-3 hours ahead (Hawaii doesn't observe DST)
International Time Differences
Los Angeles' position in the UTC-8/UTC-7 range makes it particularly relevant for Asia-Pacific business:
- London (GMT/BST): Los Angeles is 8 hours behind (7 hours during overlapping DST)
- Paris/Berlin (CET/CEST): Los Angeles is 9 hours behind
- Dubai (GST): Los Angeles is 12 hours behind (11 hours during PDT)
- Tokyo (JST): Los Angeles is 17 hours behind (16 hours during PDT)
- Sydney (AEST/AEDT): Los Angeles is 18-19 hours behind depending on season
- Hong Kong (HKT): Los Angeles is 16 hours behind (15 hours during PDT)
Business Hours in Los Angeles
Understanding typical business hours is crucial for working with Los Angeles-based companies:
- Standard Business Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM PST/PDT (Monday-Friday)
- Entertainment Industry: Often 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM PST/PDT (flexible schedules)
- Tech Companies: Typically 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM PST/PDT (Silicon Beach area)
- Retail Hours: Generally 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM PST/PDT (varies by location)
- Customer Service: Many operate 24/7 or extended hours for East Coast customers
Best Times to Call Los Angeles
If you're calling Los Angeles from another time zone or country, consider these guidelines:
- From East Coast: Call between 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM your time to reach LA business hours (9:00 AM - 3:00 PM PST/PDT)
- From Europe: Call between 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM your time to reach LA business hours (morning LA time)
- From Asia (Tokyo/Hong Kong): Call between 2:00 AM - 6:00 AM your time to reach LA business hours
- From Australia (Sydney): Call between 4:00 AM - 8:00 AM your time to reach LA business hours
History of Pacific Time in Los Angeles
Before the establishment of standardized time zones, Los Angeles and other cities kept their own local time based on the sun's position. The U.S. officially established four continental time zones with the Standard Time Act of 1918. Los Angeles has been in the Pacific Time Zone since its creation. Daylight saving time was first implemented during World War I for energy conservation and has been modified several times, with the current system established by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. California briefly considered eliminating DST in 2018 (Proposition 7), but the change would require federal approval.
Frequently Asked Questions About Los Angeles Time
What time zone is Los Angeles in?
Los Angeles is in the Pacific Time zone (PST/PDT). During standard time (November to March), it observes Pacific Standard Time (PST, UTC-8). During daylight saving time (March to November), it observes Pacific Daylight Time (PDT, UTC-7).
Is Los Angeles currently on PST or PDT?
Los Angeles observes Pacific Daylight Time (PDT, UTC-7) from the second Sunday in March until the first Sunday in November. During the rest of the year, it observes Pacific Standard Time (PST, UTC-8). Check the live clock above to see the current time and timezone designation.
What is the time difference between Los Angeles and New York?
Los Angeles is 3 hours behind New York. When it's 12:00 PM (noon) in Los Angeles, it's 3:00 PM in New York. This time difference remains constant throughout the year since both cities observe daylight saving time on the same schedule.
What is the time difference between Los Angeles and London?
Los Angeles is typically 8 hours behind London. When it's 12:00 PM in Los Angeles, it's 8:00 PM in London. However, this can briefly change to 7 hours during the periods when daylight saving time starts or ends on different dates in the US and UK.
Does Los Angeles observe daylight saving time?
Yes, Los Angeles observes daylight saving time. Clocks "spring forward" one hour on the second Sunday in March at 2:00 AM (becoming 3:00 AM), and "fall back" one hour on the first Sunday in November at 2:00 AM (becoming 1:00 AM). During DST, Los Angeles is on PDT (UTC-7) instead of PST (UTC-8).
What is the best time to call Los Angeles from overseas?
The best time to call Los Angeles from overseas is typically between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM PST/PDT (Los Angeles business hours). From the East Coast, call between 12:00 PM and 8:00 PM your time. From Europe, late afternoon/evening your time works best. From Asia, you may need to call late evening or early morning your time.
When does Los Angeles change time for daylight saving?
In Los Angeles, daylight saving time begins on the second Sunday in March at 2:00 AM, when clocks move forward to 3:00 AM. It ends on the first Sunday in November at 2:00 AM, when clocks move back to 1:00 AM. These dates are standardized across the United States since the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
What time is it in Los Angeles right now?
The current time in Los Angeles is displayed in the live clock at the top of this page, which updates every second. You can also see the current date, whether daylight saving time is active, and the exact timezone designation (PST or PDT).
Is Los Angeles time the same as California time?
Yes, Los Angeles follows Pacific Time (PT), which is the same time used throughout most of California. Cities like San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento, and San Jose all observe the same time as Los Angeles. California operates entirely within the Pacific Time Zone.
What cities share the same time zone as Los Angeles?
Major cities that share Pacific Time with Los Angeles include San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle, Portland, Las Vegas, and San Jose. The entire Pacific Time Zone covers California, Washington, Oregon (mostly), Nevada (mostly), and parts of Idaho and British Columbia, Canada.
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