Washington, DC Time Now | Current Local Time in Washington, DC

–:–:–

–

The current local time in Washington, DC is shown above. The city operates on Eastern Standard Time (UTC−5) during winter and switches to Eastern Daylight Time (UTC−4) during Daylight Saving Time.

Washington, DC shares the same time zone as major cities such as New York, Boston, Miami, and Atlanta.

Washington, DC follows Eastern Time and observes Daylight Saving Time, shifting from UTC−5 to UTC−4 during the summer months.

Current time in Washington, D.C., United States

Washington, D.C. follows Eastern Time (ET).

Quick facts:

Time zone: Eastern Time (ET)
Standard time: EST (UTC −5:00)
Summer time: EDT (UTC −4:00)
Daylight Saving: Observed
IANA zone: America/New_York

Daylight Saving Time in Washington, DC

Washington, DC observes Daylight Saving Time.

Winter: UTC−5 (Eastern Standard Time)
Summer: UTC−4 (Eastern Daylight Time)

DST typically begins in March and ends in November in the United States.

Time difference from Washington, D.C.:

Washington, D.C. ↔ Sydney: Sydney is usually 14–16 hours ahead (depends on DST in both cities)
Washington, D.C. ↔ Auckland: Auckland is usually 16–18 hours ahead
Washington, D.C. ↔ Los Angeles: LA is 3 hours behind
Washington, D.C. ↔ London: London is usually 5 hours ahead (sometimes 4 during DST transition weeks)
Washington, D.C. ↔ Tokyo: Tokyo is usually 13–14 hours ahead

Best Time to Call Washington, DC from Abroad

If you are calling Washington, DC from:

Australia (Sydney): Best window is 10:00 PM – 1:00 AM Sydney time, corresponding to morning in Washington, DC.
United Kingdom: 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM UK time works well.
Dubai: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM Dubai time reaches Washington, DC in the morning.

Typical business hours in Washington, DC are 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Washington, D.C. use Daylight Saving Time?
Yes. The city switches between EST (UTC −5) and EDT (UTC −4).

What time zone is Washington, D.C. in?
Eastern Time (ET).

Is Washington, D.C. the same time as New York?
Yes. Washington, D.C. and New York City both follow Eastern Time (ET).

Where is Washington, DC Located?

Washington, DC is located on the east coast of the United States, along the Potomac River. It sits between the states of Maryland and Virginia and serves as the capital of the country.