Columbus is the capital city of the state of Ohio and one of the largest cities in the Midwestern United States. The city serves as an important center for government, education, healthcare, and business. Columbus follows the Eastern Time Zone (ET), which alternates between Eastern Standard Time (EST) and Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) during daylight saving time.

Columbus is home to The Ohio State University, one of the largest universities in the United States, and plays a major role in research, technology, and innovation in the region. Many businesses and travelers check the current time in Columbus when planning meetings, travel, and communication across different time zones.

Current Time

• Columbus 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: Ohio
• City: Columbus
• 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: John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)

Time Difference From

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

Daylight Saving Time

Columbus 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 Columbus 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 usually overlap with business hours in Columbus.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

Where Is Located

Columbus is located in central Ohio in the United States, roughly midway between Cleveland and Cincinnati.

What Is Famous For

Columbus is famous for being the capital of Ohio and home to The Ohio State University. The city is also known for its sports culture, growing technology sector, and diverse arts and food scene.

Additional Note

Columbus is one of the fastest-growing cities in the Midwest and has become an important hub for education, research, technology, and logistics in the United States.

Time Zone Converter

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