Pacific Time vs. Eastern Time — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on November 1, 2023
Pacific Time (PT) is the time zone for the U.S. West Coast, while Eastern Time (ET) is for the U.S. East Coast. Eastern Time is 3 hours ahead of Pacific Time.
Difference Between Pacific Time and Eastern Time
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Key Differences
Pacific Time (PT) is the time zone that covers the western part of the United States, including states like California and Washington. Eastern Time (ET), on the other hand, is the time zone that predominantly covers the eastern part, including states like New York and Florida.
Both Pacific Time and Eastern Time are essential timekeeping zones in the United States and have Daylight Saving adjustments. However, when it's 12:00 PM in Pacific Time, it's 3:00 PM in Eastern Time.
Companies and media outlets often mention both Pacific Time and Eastern Time when broadcasting live events or shows to ensure viewers across the country are aware of the schedule.
Adjusting to Pacific Time or Eastern Time is essential when traveling across the country. For instance, a flight from Los Angeles (Pacific Time) to New York City (Eastern Time) that takes five hours will appear to last eight hours due to the time difference.
While the difference between Pacific Time and Eastern Time may seem simple numerically, it can have significant impacts on businesses, communication, and entertainment schedules across the two zones.
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Comparison Chart
Geographic Location
U.S. West Coast
U.S. East Coast
Difference from Coordinated UTC
UTC -8 (Standard), UTC -7 (DST)
UTC -5 (Standard), UTC -4 (DST)
Main States
California, Washington
New York, Florida
Daylight Saving Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Relative Time to the Other Zone
3 hours behind
3 hours ahead
Compare with Definitions
Pacific Time
Three hours behind Eastern Time.
When it's noon in Pacific Time, it's 3 PM in Eastern Time.
Eastern Time
Three hours ahead of Pacific Time.
When it's noon in Eastern Time, it's 9 AM in Pacific Time.
Pacific Time
Time zone of the U.S. West Coast.
Los Angeles operates on Pacific Time.
Eastern Time
Corresponds to the Eastern Time Zone (ET).
Miami, Florida is in the Eastern Time zone.
Pacific Time
Adjusts for Daylight Saving Time.
Pacific Time moves an hour forward in spring.
Eastern Time
Adjusts for Daylight Saving Time.
Eastern Time moves an hour forward in spring.
Pacific Time
UTC -8 hours during Standard Time.
At UTC 00:00, it's 4 PM the previous day in Pacific Time.
Eastern Time
UTC -5 hours during Standard Time.
At UTC 00:00, it's 7 PM the previous day in Eastern Time.
Pacific Time
Corresponds to the Pacific Time Zone (PT).
Seattle, Washington is in the Pacific Time zone.
Eastern Time
Time zone of the U.S. East Coast.
New York City operates on Eastern Time.
Common Curiosities
How many hours separate Pacific Time from Eastern Time?
Eastern Time is 3 hours ahead of Pacific Time.
Do both time zones adjust for Daylight Saving Time?
Yes, both Pacific Time and Eastern Time observe Daylight Saving Time.
If it's 5 PM in Pacific Time, what time is it in Eastern Time?
It would be 8 PM in Eastern Time.
Which states primarily operate on Eastern Time?
States like New York, Florida, and Georgia are on Eastern Time.
Are there any areas in Pacific Time that do not observe Daylight Saving Time?
Yes, most of Arizona, which is in Mountain Time, doesn't observe DST, but the Navajo Nation within Arizona does.
Which states are primarily in Pacific Time?
States like California, Washington, and Oregon are in Pacific Time.
When is Daylight Saving Time typically observed in these zones?
It typically starts on the second Sunday of March and ends on the first Sunday of November.
Why are time zones important for broadcasting?
They help synchronize showtimes and live broadcasts for viewers across the country.
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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.
