Charlotte is the largest city in the state of North Carolina and one of the fastest-growing cities in the southeastern United States. The city is a major financial center and home to several large banking institutions. Charlotte follows the Eastern Time Zone (ET), which alternates between Eastern Standard Time (EST) and Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) during daylight saving time.

Charlotte plays a significant role in finance, commerce, and transportation in the United States. The city is also known for its modern skyline, sports teams, and growing technology sector. Many businesses and travelers check the current time in Charlotte when planning meetings, travel, and international communication.

Current Time

• Charlotte follows Eastern Time (ET).

• Standard Time: Eastern Standard Time (EST) – UTC−5
• Daylight Saving Time: Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) – UTC−4

Quick Facts

• Country: United States
• State: North Carolina
• City: Charlotte
• Time Zone: Eastern Time (ET)
• IANA Timezone: America/New_York
• Standard Time Offset: UTC −5
• Daylight Saving Offset: UTC −4
• Population: Around 900,000 people
• Major Airport: Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)

Time Difference From

• Chicago (USA): Charlotte is 1 hour ahead
• Los Angeles (USA): Charlotte is 3 hours ahead
• London (UK): Charlotte is 5 hours behind during standard time
• Tokyo (Japan): Charlotte is 14 hours behind depending on daylight saving time

Daylight Saving Time

Charlotte observes daylight saving time.

Start: Second Sunday in March – clocks move forward 1 hour
End: First Sunday in November – clocks move back 1 hour

Best Time to Call

If you are calling Charlotte from other regions:

• USA West Coast: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
• Europe (London): 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
• Asia (Tokyo): 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM

These hours generally overlap with business hours in Charlotte.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time zone is Charlotte in?
Charlotte uses the Eastern Time Zone (ET).

Does Charlotte observe daylight saving time?
Yes. The city switches between EST (UTC−5) and EDT (UTC−4) each year.

Is Charlotte in the same time zone as New York?
Yes. Both cities follow Eastern Time (America/New_York).

Where Is Located

Charlotte is located in southwestern North Carolina in the United States, near the border with South Carolina.

What Is Famous For

Charlotte is famous for being a major banking and financial center in the United States. It is the headquarters of several large financial institutions and is also known for attractions such as the NASCAR Hall of Fame and its professional sports teams.

Additional Note

Charlotte is often called the “Queen City” and has grown rapidly over the past few decades. Today it is considered one of the largest financial hubs in the United States, second only to New York in banking assets.

Time Zone Converter

Convert Charlotte time to your local time using our time converter tool.