Eastern Time is 4 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time right now (until Oct 31, 2026); the gap changes to 5 hours when clocks change for daylight saving time. So 12:00 PM UTC = 8:00 AM EDT at the moment. (Eastern Time is on EDT for daylight saving time right now.)
UTC to EST conversion table
| UTC | EDT when UTC is UTC | EST when UTC is UTC |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 AM | 8:00 PM −1 day | 7:00 PM −1 day |
| 1:00 AM | 9:00 PM −1 day | 8:00 PM −1 day |
| 2:00 AM | 10:00 PM −1 day | 9:00 PM −1 day |
| 3:00 AM | 11:00 PM −1 day | 10:00 PM −1 day |
| 4:00 AM | 12:00 AM | 11:00 PM −1 day |
| 5:00 AM | 1:00 AM | 12:00 AM |
| 6:00 AM | 2:00 AM | 1:00 AM |
| 7:00 AM | 3:00 AM | 2:00 AM |
| 8:00 AM | 4:00 AM | 3:00 AM |
| 9:00 AM | 5:00 AM | 4:00 AM |
| 10:00 AM | 6:00 AM | 5:00 AM |
| 11:00 AM | 7:00 AM | 6:00 AM |
| 12:00 PM | 8:00 AM | 7:00 AM |
| 1:00 PM | 9:00 AM | 8:00 AM |
| 2:00 PM | 10:00 AM | 9:00 AM |
| 3:00 PM | 11:00 AM | 10:00 AM |
| 4:00 PM | 12:00 PM | 11:00 AM |
| 5:00 PM | 1:00 PM | 12:00 PM |
| 6:00 PM | 2:00 PM | 1:00 PM |
| 7:00 PM | 3:00 PM | 2:00 PM |
| 8:00 PM | 4:00 PM | 3:00 PM |
| 9:00 PM | 5:00 PM | 4:00 PM |
| 10:00 PM | 6:00 PM | 5:00 PM |
| 11:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 6:00 PM |
UTC and EST difference through 2027
The gap between the two zones on each date range, including daylight saving time changes:
| Dates | Coordinated Universal Time | Eastern Time | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 30, 2026 – Oct 31, 2026 | UTC (UTC+0) | EDT (UTC−4) | EST 4 hours behind |
| Nov 1, 2026 – Mar 13, 2027 | UTC (UTC+0) | EST (UTC−5) | EST 5 hours behind |
| Mar 14, 2027 – Nov 6, 2027 | UTC (UTC+0) | EDT (UTC−4) | EST 4 hours behind |
| Nov 7, 2027 – Dec 31, 2027 | UTC (UTC+0) | EST (UTC−5) | EST 5 hours behind |
Best time to meet or call
- When EST is 4 hours behind UTC: Working hours (9 AM–5 PM) overlap from 1:00 PM–5:00 PM UTC (9:00 AM–1:00 PM EST), about 4 hours.
- When EST is 5 hours behind UTC: Working hours (9 AM–5 PM) overlap from 2:00 PM–5:00 PM UTC (9:00 AM–12:00 PM EST), about 3 hours.
About Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)
UTC is the world's reference time. It never changes for daylight saving time, which makes it the safest zone for scheduling across countries. It's used in Aviation, shipping, computer servers, science and international standards.
About Eastern Time (EST)
The Eastern time zone uses EST (UTC−5) in winter and EDT (UTC−4) during daylight saving time, from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November. It's used in New York, Washington DC, Boston, Atlanta, Miami, Detroit and Toronto.
Frequently asked questions
What time is 12 PM UTC in EST?
12:00 PM UTC is 8:00 AM EDT right now (Sep 30, 2026 to Oct 31, 2026). The answer changes when either zone changes its clocks for daylight saving time.
How many hours ahead or behind is EST from UTC?
Currently 4 hours behind UTC. During the year the difference is 4 hours behind UTC or 5 hours behind UTC, depending on daylight saving time. See the table on this page for exact dates.
Does UTC change for daylight saving time?
No. UTC is the world's reference time. It never changes for daylight saving time, which makes it the safest zone for scheduling across countries.
Does EST change for daylight saving time?
Yes. The Eastern time zone uses EST (UTC−5) in winter and EDT (UTC−4) during daylight saving time, from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November.
What is the best time for a call between UTC and EST?
Right now, working hours overlap from 1:00 PM–5:00 PM UTC (9:00 AM–1:00 PM EST), about 4 hours.
More time zone conversions
- EST to UTC (reverse)
- PST to EST
- CST to EST
- MST to EST
- IST to EST
- UTC to IST
- GMT to EST
- UTC to PST
- CET to EST
- All time zones
Sources
Reviewed by Gurmej Singh, Founder, Divy Digital Hub · Last reviewed: Wednesday, September 30, 2026. All calculations run in your browser. Editorial policy.