PDT vs. EST — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Published on December 21, 2023
PDT (Pacific Daylight Time) is the daylight saving time in the Pacific Time Zone of the U.S. EST (Eastern Standard Time) is the standard time in the Eastern Time Zone. PDT is 3 hours behind EST.
Difference Between PDT and EST
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Key Differences
PDT, or Pacific Daylight Time, is a time zone adjustment that accounts for daylight saving time in the Pacific Time Zone. When in effect, it shifts clocks forward by one hour to make better use of daylight during the evenings. This means that when it's 8:00 PM in PDT, it's already 11:00 PM in EST. EST, on the other hand, stands for Eastern Standard Time, and it's the standard time observed in the Eastern Time Zone of North America.
The United States has multiple time zones due to its vast geographic span from east to west. PDT and EST are two of those zones, with PDT covering states like California and Washington, while EST encompasses states like New York and Florida. The main difference between these two is the three-hour time difference.
To illustrate this, consider a live televised event broadcasted nationally at 9:00 PM EST. Viewers in the Pacific Time Zone would tune in at 6:00 PM PDT to watch the event in real time. This discrepancy can be crucial for businesses, broadcasters, and individuals coordinating across time zones.
Another noteworthy point is the actual term "daylight." PDT is only in effect part of the year, during daylight saving time. For the rest of the year, the Pacific Time Zone observes Pacific Standard Time (PST). EST, meanwhile, becomes Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) during daylight saving months.
Comparison Chart
Full Form
Pacific Daylight Time
Eastern Standard Time
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Region
Pacific Time Zone (e.g., California, Washington)
Eastern Time Zone (e.g., New York, Florida)
Hours from UTC
UTC-7 when in effect
UTC-5
Relation to Other TZ
3 hours behind EST
3 hours ahead of PDT
Duration
Active during daylight saving months
Year-round, but becomes EDT during daylight saving months
Compare with Definitions
PDT
Pacific Time Zone's counterpart to EDT.
Remember, PDT is active the same months as EDT.
EST
Does not account for daylight saving adjustments.
In summer, New York moves from EST to EDT.
PDT
Time observed in regions like Los Angeles during daylight saving.
Los Angeles follows PDT during the longer daylight months.
EST
Standard time in the Eastern Time Zone.
The conference starts at 9:00 AM EST.
PDT
An adjustment 3 hours behind EST.
The event starts at 6:00 PM PDT or 9:00 PM EST.
EST
The regular time for cities like New York.
New York City primarily operates on EST.
PDT
Clocks shifted forward one hour from PST.
During spring, we'll move from PST to PDT.
EST
Three hours ahead of PDT.
It's noon in EST, so it's 9:00 AM in PDT.
PDT
Daylight saving time in the Pacific Time Zone.
We'll start the meeting at 10:00 AM PDT.
EST
The time zone for a large portion of the East Coast.
Many major U.S. cities, like Atlanta, observe EST.
EST
(obsolete) Grace; favour.
EST
Abbreviation of established
EST
Init of w:Erhard Seminars Training, a course intended to promote satisfaction with life in the present moment, as opposed to strivings to attain it.
EST
East.
EST
Standard time in the 5th time zone west of Greenwich, reckoned at the 75th meridian; used in the eastern United States
Common Curiosities
Is EST exclusive to the USA?
No, parts of Canada, like Toronto, also observe EST.
Is PDT only active during certain months?
Yes, PDT is active during daylight saving months.
Do all states in the Pacific Time Zone observe PDT?
Most do, but there are exceptions, like parts of Arizona.
Is EST active all year?
No, during daylight saving months, it becomes EDT.
What happens to PDT when daylight saving ends?
PDT reverts to PST.
What's the main difference between PDT and EST?
PDT is 3 hours behind EST.
Does PDT cover the entire West Coast?
Mostly, as states like California and Washington observe PDT during daylight saving.
If it's noon in EST, what time is it in PDT?
It would be 9:00 AM in PDT.
Which comes first in the day, PDT or EST?
EST, since it's three hours ahead of PDT.
When comparing with UTC, which is closer?
EST is closer to UTC, being UTC-5.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited 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.
