UTC to EST converter
EST is 4 hours behind UTC 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.
UTC to EST conversion table
Every hour of the day in UTC 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 UTC | EST in January UTC to EST | EST in July UTC 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 UTC to EST
To convert UTC to EST by hand, subtract 4 hours for most of the year, then fix the date if you cross midnight.
- 8 PM UTC on 15 January is 3:00 PM EST.
- 8 PM UTC on 15 July is 4:00 PM EDT.
- On the other side of the year, 8 PM UTC on 2 February is 3:00 PM EST, because the gap is then 5 hours.
- 8 PM UTC 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
Coordinated Universal Time (UTC/GMT). Used in: servers, aviation, space agencies and software release schedules, as the reference every other zone is measured from. No daylight saving: the offset is the same all year.
UTC never changes. GMT is the same time on the clock, but GMT is also the name of the UK's winter time.
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 UTC in EST?
8 PM UTC on 15 January is 3:00 PM EST. 8 PM UTC on 15 July is 4:00 PM EDT. On the other side of the year, 8 PM UTC on 2 February is 3:00 PM EST, because the gap is then 5 hours.
Is EST ahead of or behind UTC?
EST is 4 hours behind UTC 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 UTC and EST?
Yes. Coordinated Universal 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 UTC times in my own time zone automatically?
Install Herewise, a free Chrome extension. When a web page says a time like 8 PM UTC, it adds a small label with that time in your own time zone, using the correct date for daylight saving.