4 Common Time Zones in the US

As defined by US law, there are nine standard time zones in the US. However, in this article, we are going to discuss 4 common time zones used in the contiguous US.

How can we know use the right time zone for each state?

• Eastern time zone (Zone R), which comprises roughly the states on the Atlantic coast and the eastern two-thirds of the Ohio Valley.

Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia; Partially: Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Tennessee

• Central time zone (Zone S), which comprises roughly the Gulf Coast, Mississippi Valley, and most of the Great Plains.

Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Wisconsin; Partially: Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas

• Mountain time zone (Zone T), which comprises roughly the states and portions of states that include the Rocky Mountains and the western quarter of the Great Plains.

Arizona (no DST outside of Navajo Nation), Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming; Partially: Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas

• Pacific time zone (Zone U), which comprises roughly the states on the Pacific coast, plus Nevada and the Idaho panhandle.

California, Nevada, Washington; Partially: Idaho, Oregon

Daylight Saving Time vs Standard Time

Most of the United States begins Daylight Saving Time at 2:00 a.m. on the second Sunday in March and reverts to standard time on the first Sunday in November. During Daylight Saving Time, clocks are turned forward an hour, effectively moving an hour of daylight from the morning to the evening.

Therefore, when you convert your local time to US time, please make sure you pay attention to the Daylight Saving Time as well.

Is there an easy way to convert time?

If you think you may get into trouble while converting time between your local time zone and US time zone, or time zone in any country, then be friend with this converting tool:

https://www.worldtimebuddy.com

You may get confused at first but eventually, when you know the location and period of time (whether the US is practicing Daylight Saving Time or not), you can convert the time easily. However, if you have an important appointment, make sure to double-check the time so you will never regret it later.