Do you find yourself constantly googling time zone converters before scheduling an important meeting? Or maybe you’re a globetrotter who’s always on the lookout for the perfect destination to set your clock to.
PST is UTC-8 hours, observed in regions like the western United States, while EST is UTC-5 hours and observed in areas like the eastern United States and parts of Canada.
PST vs. EST
| PST (Pacific Standard Time) | EST (Eastern Standard Time) |
|---|---|
| PST is the time zone observed in the Pacific Time Zone. It is 8 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-8). | EST is the time zone observed in the Eastern Time Zone. It is 5 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-5). |
| It is used in regions on the West Coast of the United States and Canada, such as California, Washington, and British Columbia. It extends to various countries in the Pacific Time Zone. | It is observed in regions on the East Coast of the United States and Canada, including New York, Washington D.C., and Toronto, and in other countries within the Eastern Time Zone. |
| PST does not observe daylight saving time, so the time remains constant throughout the year without any adjustments to the clocks. | EST also observes daylight saving time, shifting the clocks forward by one hour during the warmer months to extend daylight hours. During this period, it follows Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). |
| It is 3 hours behind EST when daylight saving time is not in effect. For example, 12:00 PM PST is 3:00 PM EST. | It observes daylight saving time, the time difference between PST and EST is 3 hours. For example, 12:00 PM PDT (PST during daylight saving time) is 3:00 PM EDT (EST during daylight saving time). |
| PST is used in regions that do not participate in daylight saving time or have opted out of the practice. It is the standard time used in these regions throughout the year. | EST is used in regions that participate in daylight saving time to make better use of daylight during the longer days of spring, summer, and early fall. The clocks are set forward to extend daylight hours. |
| Its notable cities in the PST time zone include Los Angeles, Seattle, and Vancouver. | Its notable cities in the EST time zone include New York City, Washington D.C., and Toronto. |
What is Pacific Standard Time?
Pacific Standard Time (PST) is the time zone for the western United States, Canada and Mexico. It is seven hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT-7). In the summer, it is eight hours behind GMT-8.
PST is observed all year in the following states: California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington state. It is also observed in the following Canadian provinces: British Columbia and Yukon. In Mexico, PST is observed in the state of Baja California.
During daylight saving time (DST), which runs from March to November in most of North America, Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) is observed in all of the above areas. PDT is GMT-7 during the summer months.
What is Eastern Standard Time?
Eastern Standard Time (EST) is a time zone that falls six hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). The time zone is used by places like the Bahamas, Cuba, and parts of Canada. EST is also sometimes referred to as “Eastern Time” or “ET.”
When it’s noon in New York City (EST), it’s 6:00 am in Los Angeles (PST). That means if you have a 9:00 am meeting in NYC, you have to be up and ready to go at 3:00 am PST. If you’re planning on spending any time in Eastern Standard Time, remember to account for the time difference!
Similarities between PST and EST
- Standard Time: Both PST and EST are standard time zones, which means they are the default time used during non-daylight saving time periods.
- One-Hour Increments: The time difference between each hour in both time zones is the same, with each hour consisting of 60 minutes.
- UTC Offset: Both time zones are expressed as an offset from Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), with PST being UTC-8 hours and EST being UTC-5 hours.
- Geographic Usage: Both time zones are widely used in the United States, with PST primarily observed in the western part and EST in the eastern part of the country.
- Seasonal Changes: Both time zones observe Daylight Saving Time (DST), shifting their clocks forward by one hour in the spring and back by one hour in the fall.
Pros and cons of PST and EST
PST:
- The sun sets earlier in PST, which can be great for getting an early night’s sleep.
- PST is two hours behind EST, so you may have difficulty coordinating with friends and family who live in the East.
- Because PST is closer to the West Coast, you may be able to take advantage of cheaper flights to destinations like Asia and Europe.
EST:
- The sun sets later in EST, which can be great for enjoying evening activities.
- EST is two hours ahead of PST, so you may have difficulty coordinating with friends and family who live in the West.
- Because EST is closer to the East Coast, you may be able to take advantage of cheaper flights to destinations like Europe and Africa.
When to use each time zone
Use PST:
- PST is used in regions on the west coast of the United States, such as California, Washington, and Oregon.
- During the standard time period (non-Daylight Saving Time), which typically lasts from early November to mid-March, residents in PST regions should use PST as their local time zone.
- For scheduling events, meetings, or appointments within PST regions during the standard time period.
Use EST:
- EST is used in regions on the east coast of the United States, such as New York, Florida, and Georgia, as well as parts of Canada, including Ontario and Quebec.
- During the standard time period (non-Daylight Saving Time), which typically lasts from early November to mid-March, residents in EST regions should use EST as their local time zone.
- For scheduling events, meetings, or appointments within EST regions during the standard time period.
Use Daylight Saving Time (DST) Adjustments:
- During Daylight Saving Time, which typically begins in mid-March and ends in early November, both PST and EST regions adjust their clocks forward by one hour.
- During DST, PST becomes Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), and EST becomes Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
- Residents in PST regions should use PDT as their local time zone, and residents in EST regions should use EDT as their local time zone.
Key differences between PST and EST
- PST is observed in regions on the west coast of North America, primarily in the western United States, including states like California, Washington, and Oregon. While EST is observed in regions on the east coast of North America, including the eastern United States and parts of Canada, such as New York, Florida, Ontario, and Quebec.
- PST is UTC-8 hours, meaning it is 8 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), while EST is UTC-5 hours, meaning it is 5 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
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Conclusion
PST (Pacific Standard Time) and EST (Eastern Standard Time) are important time zones in North America, each serving distinct regions with their own UTC offsets and Daylight Saving Time practices. The three-hour time difference between PST and EST during standard time and the one-hour shift during Daylight Saving Time must be considered for effective scheduling and communication across these zones.
