Time-zone basics
Time zone abbreviations explained
Abbreviations like PDT and EST are useful shortcuts, but they can be confusing because daylight saving time changes the abbreviation in many places.
| Abbreviation | Meaning | Useful note |
|---|---|---|
| PDT | Pacific Daylight Time | Used in places like Los Angeles during daylight saving time. |
| PST | Pacific Standard Time | Used in Pacific Time locations during standard time. |
| EDT | Eastern Daylight Time | Used in places like New York during daylight saving time. |
| EST | Eastern Standard Time | Used in Eastern Time locations during standard time. |
| UTC | Coordinated Universal Time | A global reference time that does not use daylight saving time. |
Why abbreviations are not always enough
Some abbreviations are reused in different parts of the world, and some regions switch between standard and daylight time. For important plans, use a city or IANA time zone such as America/Los_Angeles rather than only an abbreviation.
Useful conversion pages
Quick examples: PDT to London, EDT to Paris, and UTC to Tokyo.