PST vs. EST — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 22, 2023
PST (Pacific Standard Time) and EST (Eastern Standard Time) are time zones in North America. PST is 3 hours behind EST, with PST being UTC-8 and EST being UTC-5.
Difference Between PST and EST
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
PST and EST are both standard time zones used in the United States and parts of North America. PST, or Pacific Standard Time, encompasses areas such as California, Washington, and most of Nevada. EST, or Eastern Standard Time, is followed by areas like New York, Florida, and the eastern part of Ohio.
PST and EST are differentiated by a time difference of 3 hours, with PST being 3 hours behind EST. In terms of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), PST is UTC-8, while EST is UTC-5. This means that when it's 12:00 PM in PST, it's 3:00 PM in EST.
The concept of daylight saving time also affects both PST and EST. In daylight saving time, PST becomes PDT (Pacific Daylight Time), and EST becomes EDT (Eastern Daylight Time). The UTC offset for PDT is UTC-7, and for EDT, it is UTC-4.
Both PST and EST have an impact on various aspects of daily life, including business hours, TV schedules, and flight timings. For example, national broadcasts may announce timings in EST, requiring PST viewers to adjust accordingly. Businesses with branches across time zones have to coordinate activities based on these time differences.
Comparison Chart
UTC Offset
UTC-8
UTC-5
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Daylight Saving Offset
UTC-7
UTC-4
States Covered
California, Washington, most of Nevada
New York, Florida, eastern Ohio
Hours Difference
3 hours behind EST
3 hours ahead of PST
Impacted Activities
Business, TV schedules, flight timings
Business, TV schedules, flight timings
Compare with Definitions
Pst
PST has a UTC offset of UTC-8.
PST is UTC-8, so you need to subtract 8 hours from UTC to get PST.
Est
EST stands for Eastern Standard Time.
The show airs at 8:00 PM EST.
Pst
PST is affected by daylight saving time.
During daylight saving, PST becomes PDT with a UTC offset of UTC-7.
Est
EST is mainly used in the eastern parts of the United States.
New York operates on EST.
Pst
PST is mainly used in the western parts of the United States.
California predominantly uses PST.
Est
EST has a UTC offset of UTC-5.
EST is UTC-5, which means you subtract 5 hours from UTC to get EST.
Pst
PST stands for Pacific Standard Time.
My meeting is scheduled for 10:00 AM PST.
Est
EST is affected by daylight saving time.
During daylight saving, EST becomes EDT with a UTC offset of UTC-4.
Pst
PST is 3 hours behind EST.
When it's noon in EST, it's 9:00 AM in PST.
Est
EST is 3 hours ahead of PST.
When it's noon in PST, it's 3:00 PM in EST.
Pst
Alternative form of psst
Est
(obsolete) Grace; favour.
Pst
Standard time in the 8th time zone west of Greenwich, reckoned at the 120th meridian west; used in far western states of the United States
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
What is the UTC offset for EST?
The UTC offset for EST is UTC-5.
What is the UTC offset for PST?
The UTC offset for PST is UTC-8.
What does PST stand for?
PST stands for Pacific Standard Time.
What is the time difference between PST and EST?
PST is 3 hours behind EST.
Does PST observe daylight saving time?
Yes, PST observes daylight saving time and becomes PDT.
How does PST affect daily activities?
PST affects business hours, TV schedules, and flight timings among other activities.
Which states predominantly use PST?
States like California, Washington, and most of Nevada use PST.
Which states predominantly use EST?
States like New York, Florida, and eastern Ohio use EST.
Does EST observe daylight saving time?
Yes, EST observes daylight saving time and becomes EDT.
What does EST stand for?
EST stands for Eastern Standard Time.
What is the daylight saving offset for EST?
The daylight saving offset for EST is UTC-4.
Is PST ahead or behind EST?
PST is 3 hours behind EST.
What is the daylight saving offset for PST?
The daylight saving offset for PST is UTC-7.
How does EST affect daily activities?
EST similarly affects business hours, TV schedules, and flight timings among other activities.
Is EST ahead or behind PST?
EST is 3 hours ahead of PST.
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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.
