Are you tired of constantly Googling the difference between PST and PDT every time daylight saving time rolls around? We’ve got you covered!
PST is the time zone observed in regions located in the Pacific Time Zone during the standard time period. It is UTC-8 hours, meaning it is eight hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). While PDT is the time zone observed during daylight saving time in regions located in the Pacific Time Zone. It is UTC-7 hours, meaning it is seven hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
PST vs. PDT
| PST (Pacific Standard Time) | PDT (Pacific Daylight Time) |
|---|---|
| PST is the time zone observed during the standard time of the year in the Pacific Time Zone. It is 8 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-8). | PDT is the time zone observed during the daylight saving time period in the Pacific Time Zone. It is 7 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-7). |
| It is used during the non-daylight saving time months, typically from the first Sunday in November until the second Sunday in March. | It is used during the daylight saving time period, which starts on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November. |
| PST does not observe daylight saving time, so the time remains constant throughout the year. | PDT is the time zone that takes effect during daylight saving time, providing an additional hour of daylight in the evenings. During this period, the clocks are set forward by one hour. |
| It is observed in regions within the Pacific Time Zone, which includes areas on the West Coast of the United States and Canada, such as California, Washington, and British Columbia. | It is also observed in regions within the Pacific Time Zone but specifically during the daylight saving time period. It follows the same geographical boundaries as PST. |
| To convert from PST to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), add 8 hours to the PST time. For example, 12:00 PM PST is 8:00 PM UTC. | To convert from PDT to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), add 7 hours to the PDT time. For example, 12:00 PM PDT is 7:00 PM UTC. |
| It is used in regions that do not observe daylight saving time or have opted out of the practice. It is the standard time used in these regions throughout the year. | It 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. |
What is PST?
PST, or Pacific Standard Time, is the time zone that encompasses California and parts of Nevada. The time zone is eight hours behind UTC (Coordinated Universal Time). This means that when it is noon PST, it is 8 p.m. UTC.
PDT, or Pacific Daylight Time, is the time zone that encompasses California and parts of Nevada during daylight saving time. Daylight saving time is when clocks are turned forward one hour in the spring and turned back one hour in the fall. During daylight saving time, PDT is seven hours behind UTC rather than eight hours. This means that when it is noon PDT, it is 7 p.m. UTC.
What is PDT?
The Pacific Time Zone (PT) is a time zone encompassing parts of western Canada, the western United States, and western Mexico. Places in this zone observe standard time by subtracting eight hours from Coordinated Universal Time (UTC−08:00). During daylight saving time, a clock shift forward of one hour occurs at 02:00 UTC−07:00. This time zone is often abbreviated PDT in reference to daylight saving time.
In Mexico, the corresponding time zone is known as the Zona Noroeste (Northwest Zone) and observes daylight saving time as well. In Canada, the Pacific Time Zone includes most of British Columbia and part of Yukon. In the United States it includes parts of California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Washington State. Major cities in the Pacific Time Zone include Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, Portland and Seattle; all in the states of California and Oregon; Tacoma and Vancouver in Washington; and Calgary and Edmonton in Alberta.
Similarities between PST and PDT
- Time Zone Location: Both PST and PDT are used in regions located in the Pacific Time Zone of North America.
- Geographical Coverage: They are observed in the same geographic areas, such as the West Coast of the United States and parts of Canada.
- Daylight Saving Time: Both time zones are affected by daylight saving time, with clocks being adjusted forward during PDT and back during PST.
- One-Hour Difference: PST is UTC-8 hours, and PDT is UTC-7 hours, making them one hour apart during daylight saving time.
How to Convert from PST to PDT
PST to PDT Conversion:
- When daylight saving time is in effect (typically from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November), PST is converted to PDT.
- Add one hour to the given time in PST to get the equivalent time in PDT.
For example, if it is 2:00 PM PST, convert it to PDT: 2:00 PM PST + 1 hour = 3:00 PM PDT
Key differences between PST and PDT
- PST is a time zone that falls within the UTC-8 time zone while PDT is a daylight saving time that falls within the UTC-7 time zone.
- PST stands for Pacific Standard Time. PST is a time zone that falls within the UTC-8 time zone, which means that it is eight hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). The UTC-8 time zone includes parts of Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
- PDT stands for Pacific Daylight Time. PDT is a daylight saving time that falls within the UTC-7 time zone, which means that it is seven hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). The UTC-7 time zone includes parts of Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
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Conclusion
PST is observed during the standard time period and is UTC-8 hours, while PDT is used during daylight saving time and is UTC-7 hours. The switch between PST and PDT occurs twice a year, with clocks adjusted forward one hour during daylight saving time (PDT) to extend daylight hours and back one hour during the end of daylight saving time (PST).
