GMT to EST converter
EST is 4 hours behind GMT for most of the year. The gap is different for part of the year, because only one side changes its clocks: in 2026 that is 1 January to 7 March (5 hours) and 1 November to 31 December (5 hours). If you schedule something in that period, check the date.
GMT to EST conversion table
Every hour of the day in GMT and what it is in EST. The columns use a January date and a July date, so you can see how daylight saving changes the answer.
| Time in GMT | EST in January GMT to EST | EST in July GMT to EDT |
|---|---|---|
| 12 AM | 7:00 PM previous day | 8:00 PM previous day |
| 1 AM | 8:00 PM previous day | 9:00 PM previous day |
| 2 AM | 9:00 PM previous day | 10:00 PM previous day |
| 3 AM | 10:00 PM previous day | 11:00 PM previous day |
| 4 AM | 11:00 PM previous day | 12:00 AM |
| 5 AM | 12:00 AM | 1:00 AM |
| 6 AM | 1:00 AM | 2:00 AM |
| 7 AM | 2:00 AM | 3:00 AM |
| 8 AM | 3:00 AM | 4:00 AM |
| 9 AM | 4:00 AM | 5:00 AM |
| 10 AM | 5:00 AM | 6:00 AM |
| 11 AM | 6:00 AM | 7:00 AM |
| 12 PM | 7:00 AM | 8:00 AM |
| 1 PM | 8:00 AM | 9:00 AM |
| 2 PM | 9:00 AM | 10:00 AM |
| 3 PM | 10:00 AM | 11:00 AM |
| 4 PM | 11:00 AM | 12:00 PM |
| 5 PM | 12:00 PM | 1:00 PM |
| 6 PM | 1:00 PM | 2:00 PM |
| 7 PM | 2:00 PM | 3:00 PM |
| 8 PM | 3:00 PM | 4:00 PM |
| 9 PM | 4:00 PM | 5:00 PM |
| 10 PM | 5:00 PM | 6:00 PM |
| 11 PM | 6:00 PM | 7:00 PM |
How to convert GMT to EST
To convert GMT to EST by hand, subtract 4 hours for most of the year, then fix the date if you cross midnight.
- 8 PM GMT on 15 January is 3:00 PM EST.
- 8 PM GMT on 15 July is 4:00 PM EDT.
- On the other side of the year, 8 PM GMT on 2 February is 3:00 PM EST, because the gap is then 5 hours.
- 8 PM GMT on 15 October is 4:00 PM EDT.
UTC is the easy anchor: convert to UTC first, then to the other zone, and you never have to think about which side changed its clocks.
About the two time zones
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Used in: Reykjavik and much of West Africa use GMT all year. No daylight saving: the offset is the same all year.
GMT and UTC show the same time. The UK is on GMT only in winter; in summer it moves to BST, which is one hour ahead. This page uses the fixed GMT (UTC+0) zone.
Eastern Time (EST/EDT). Used in: New York, Toronto, Miami, Atlanta, Boston, Washington DC. Clocks go forward on the second Sunday in March and back on the first Sunday in November.
People write EST all year round, even in summer when the clocks actually say EDT. This tool treats EST, EDT and ET as the same thing: the current time in New York.
Skip the converter: let Herewise do it on every page
Herewise is a free Chrome extension. When a page says "8 PM EST", "75°F" or "$49", it adds a small label with the time, temperature or price in your own time zone, units and currency. Free, no account, nothing you read leaves your browser.
Questions
What is 8 PM GMT in EST?
8 PM GMT on 15 January is 3:00 PM EST. 8 PM GMT on 15 July is 4:00 PM EDT. On the other side of the year, 8 PM GMT on 2 February is 3:00 PM EST, because the gap is then 5 hours.
Is EST ahead of or behind GMT?
EST is 4 hours behind GMT for most of the year. The gap is different for part of the year, because only one side changes its clocks: in 2026 that is 1 January to 7 March (5 hours) and 1 November to 31 December (5 hours). If you schedule something in that period, check the date.
Does daylight saving change the difference between GMT and EST?
Yes. Greenwich Mean Time: No daylight saving: the offset is the same all year. Eastern Time: Clocks go forward on the second Sunday in March and back on the first Sunday in November.
How can I see GMT times in my own time zone automatically?
Install Herewise, a free Chrome extension. When a web page says a time like 8 PM GMT, it adds a small label with that time in your own time zone, using the correct date for daylight saving.