EST to UTC Converter
UTC is 4 hours ahead of EST for most of the year. The gap changes for a few weeks a year because the two places switch to daylight saving time on different dates.
UTC to EST insteadTime difference between EST and UTC
UTC is 4 hours ahead of EST for most of the year.
- 2026: UTC is 5 hours ahead of EST from Jan 1 – Mar 7, 2026, Nov 1 – Dec 31, 2026.
- 2027: UTC is 5 hours ahead of EST from Jan 1 – Mar 13, 2027, Nov 7 – Dec 31, 2027.
EST to UTC conversion table
| EST | UTCMost of the year | UTCJan 1 – Mar 7, 2026, Nov 1 – Dec 31, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 12 AM | 4 AM | 5 AM |
| 1 AM | 5 AM | 6 AM |
| 2 AM | 6 AM | 7 AM |
| 3 AM | 7 AM | 8 AM |
| 4 AM | 8 AM | 9 AM |
| 5 AM | 9 AM | 10 AM |
| 6 AM | 10 AM | 11 AM |
| 7 AM | 11 AM | 12 PM |
| 8 AM | 12 PM | 1 PM |
| 9 AM | 1 PM | 2 PM |
| 10 AM | 2 PM | 3 PM |
| 11 AM | 3 PM | 4 PM |
| 12 PM | 4 PM | 5 PM |
| 1 PM | 5 PM | 6 PM |
| 2 PM | 6 PM | 7 PM |
| 3 PM | 7 PM | 8 PM |
| 4 PM | 8 PM | 9 PM |
| 5 PM | 9 PM | 10 PM |
| 6 PM | 10 PM | 11 PM |
| 7 PM | 11 PM | 12 AM+1 day |
| 8 PM | 12 AM+1 day | 1 AM+1 day |
| 9 PM | 1 AM+1 day | 2 AM+1 day |
| 10 PM | 2 AM+1 day | 3 AM+1 day |
| 11 PM | 3 AM+1 day | 4 AM+1 day |
Best time to meet
Working hours (9 AM – 5 PM) overlap for 4 hours: 9 AM – 1 PM EST (1 PM – 5 PM UTC). That window is the best time for calls and meetings.
Frequently asked questions
What time is it in UTC when it's 9 AM in EST?
1 PM for most of the year. UTC is 4 hours ahead of EST.
How many hours is UTC ahead of EST?
Usually 4 hours. The gap changes for a few weeks a year because daylight saving time starts and ends on different dates: 2026: UTC is 5 hours ahead of EST from Jan 1 – Mar 7, 2026, Nov 1 – Dec 31, 2026. 2027: UTC is 5 hours ahead of EST from Jan 1 – Mar 13, 2027, Nov 7 – Dec 31, 2027.
Does EST use daylight saving time?
Yes. Eastern Time is UTC−5 (EST) in January and UTC−4 (EDT) in July. Mar 8, 2026: clocks go forward to UTC−4; Nov 1, 2026: clocks go back to UTC−5.
Does UTC use daylight saving time?
No. Coordinated Universal Time stays at UTC+0 all year.
When is the best time to schedule a meeting between EST and UTC?
Working hours (9 AM – 5 PM) overlap for 4 hours: 9 AM – 1 PM EST (1 PM – 5 PM UTC). That window is the best time for calls and meetings.