East Coast Time vs. West Coast Time — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on December 12, 2023
East Coast Time (ECT) is 3 hours ahead of West Coast Time (WCT). ECT corresponds to Eastern Standard Time (EST) or Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), while WCT refers to Pacific Standard Time (PST) or Pacific Daylight Time (PDT).
Difference Between East Coast Time and West Coast Time
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
East Coast Time (ECT) predominantly refers to the time zone covering the eastern part of the United States. This zone includes states like New York, Georgia, and Florida. On the other hand, West Coast Time (WCT) primarily concerns the western segment of the US, enveloping states such as California, Washington, and Oregon.
East Coast Time either follows Eastern Standard Time or Eastern Daylight Time, contingent on the season. Conversely, West Coast Time adheres to either Pacific Standard Time or Pacific Daylight Time.
The divergence in time between East Coast Time and West Coast Time is consistently 3 hours. This means when it's noon in ECT, it's 9 a.m. in WCT.
Both East Coast Time and West Coast Time play pivotal roles in scheduling nationwide broadcasts, meetings, and flights, ensuring synchronization across the vast country.
Comparison Chart
Time Zone Name
Eastern Time Zone
Pacific Time Zone
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Includes States Like
New York, Georgia, Florida
California, Washington, Oregon
Standard Time
Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Pacific Standard Time (PST)
Daylight Time
Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)
Hours from Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)
UTC-5 (EST) or UTC-4 (EDT)
UTC-8 (PST) or UTC-7 (PDT)
Compare with Definitions
East Coast Time
East Coast Time is the time zone of the eastern US.
The meeting is at 10 a.m. East Coast Time.
West Coast Time
West Coast Time can be either PST or PDT.
Flights to LA are scheduled in West Coast Time.
East Coast Time
East Coast Time can be either EST or EDT.
Make sure to adjust for East Coast Time when you call.
West Coast Time
West Coast Time encompasses areas like Los Angeles and Seattle.
Los Angeles operates on West Coast Time.
East Coast Time
East Coast Time influences national broadcasting schedules.
The show airs at 8 p.m. East Coast Time.
West Coast Time
West Coast Time affects local and national events.
The game begins at 7 p.m. West Coast Time.
East Coast Time
East Coast Time includes major cities like New York and Atlanta.
New York City follows East Coast Time.
West Coast Time
West Coast Time is the time zone of the western US.
The event starts at 5 p.m. West Coast Time.
East Coast Time
East Coast Time is 3 hours ahead of West Coast Time.
It's noon on the East Coast Time when it's 9 a.m. on the West Coast.
West Coast Time
West Coast Time is 3 hours behind East Coast Time.
It's 9 a.m. on West Coast Time when it's noon on the East Coast.
Common Curiosities
Which major cities fall under East Coast Time?
Cities like New York, Atlanta, and Miami follow East Coast Time.
How is West Coast Time different from East Coast Time?
West Coast Time is 3 hours behind East Coast Time.
What is East Coast Time?
East Coast Time refers to the time zone covering the eastern part of the US, including states like New York and Florida.
Which states operate on West Coast Time?
States such as California, Oregon, and Washington follow West Coast Time.
If it's 3 p.m. in West Coast Time, what time is it in East Coast Time?
It would be 6 p.m. in East Coast Time.
Are there countries outside the US that follow East Coast Time?
Parts of Canada, like Toronto, also operate on East Coast Time.
When does West Coast Time observe daylight saving?
West Coast Time shifts from Pacific Standard Time (PST) to Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) during daylight saving.
If I'm coordinating a call between the east and west coasts, how should I adjust for time?
Factor in a 3-hour difference, with East Coast Time being ahead.
Is East Coast Time always EST?
No, East Coast Time can be either Eastern Standard Time (EST) or Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
How does West Coast Time affect travel schedules?
Travel schedules, especially flights, are adjusted based on West Coast Time for departures and arrivals in that zone.
How does East Coast Time impact national broadcasting?
Shows and events are often scheduled according to East Coast Time for nationwide broadcasts.
Which time zone is ahead, East Coast Time or West Coast Time?
East Coast Time is 3 hours ahead of West Coast Time.
Does East Coast Time always match New York City's time?
Yes, New York City operates on East Coast Time.
Are there other time zones between East Coast Time and West Coast Time?
Yes, between them are the Central Time Zone and the Mountain Time Zone in the US.
Do all states on the west coast of the US follow West Coast Time?
Primarily, states like California, Oregon, and Washington use West Coast Time.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
