What Time Is It in Atlanta, GA Right Now?

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia (or planning a call, flight, or meeting here), knowing the current local time in Atlanta comes down to understanding the city’s time zone and daylight saving time rules.

Because this page can’t update in real time, you’ll need to check a live clock (on your phone, computer, TV, or a trusted world clock) to see the exact current time in Atlanta, GA right now.

What you can rely on here is a clear guide to what time Atlanta follows, how it changes through the year, and how to avoid time mix-ups if you live in, visit, or do business in the city.

Atlanta’s Time Zone: The Basics

Atlanta, GA observes:

• Standard time zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST)
• Daylight saving time: Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
• Time zone abbreviation: ET (Eastern Time)
• Standard offset from UTC:UTC−5 (EST)
• Daylight offset from UTC:UTC−4 (EDT)

In everyday life, locals simply refer to it as “Eastern Time” or “Atlanta time.”

Is Atlanta on Eastern Standard Time or Eastern Daylight Time?

That depends on the time of year:

• Early March through early November:
  Atlanta is on Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) – the clocks are 1 hour ahead compared to winter.
• Early November through early March:
  Atlanta is on Eastern Standard Time (EST).

So when you check the time in Atlanta:

• If it’s summer or early fall, you’re likely looking at EDT (UTC−4).
• If it’s late fall, winter, or early spring, it’s EST (UTC−5).

Daylight Saving Time in Atlanta, GA

Like most of Georgia, Atlanta observes daylight saving time (DST) every year.

When the Time Changes in Atlanta

While exact calendar dates shift slightly year to year, Atlanta consistently follows the general U.S. pattern:

• ⏰ Spring Forward

  • When: Around March, clocks move forward 1 hour
  • Effect: 2:00 a.m. becomes 3:00 a.m.
  • Result: Atlanta moves from EST to EDT (later sunset, more light in the evening).

• ⏰ Fall Back

  • When: Around November, clocks move back 1 hour
  • Effect: 2:00 a.m. becomes 1:00 a.m.
  • Result: Atlanta moves from EDT back to EST (earlier sunset, more light in the morning).

If you’re planning early flights out of Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), late-night MARTA rides, or time-sensitive events, make a note of these periods—missed alarms are common right after the time change.

Quick Reference: Atlanta Time vs Other Major Cities

Here’s a simple guide to how Atlanta time typically compares to other well-known cities. This assumes standard relationships and does not account for regional differences in DST start/end dates, so always double-check close to time-change dates.

When someone asks, “What is the time in Atlanta, GA right now?” from another city, this table helps you quickly translate their local time to Atlanta time, once you know the current UTC offset and whether Atlanta is on EST or EDT.

How to Check the Current Time in Atlanta, GA

Because local time changes with DST and can’t be hard-coded, you’ll want to rely on a real-time source. Common options:

• Smartphones

  • On most phones, if your location services are on or Atlanta is selected as a city, your clock will automatically show the correct time for Atlanta.
  • iOS: Clock app → World Clock → add Atlanta.
  • Android: Clock app → World Clock / Cities → add Atlanta.

• Computer (Windows or macOS)

  • Windows:
    • Right-click the time → “Adjust date/time” → Turn on Set time zone automatically, or manually choose (UTC−05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).
  • Mac:
    • System Settings → Date & Time → Set Time Zone to a city in Eastern Time, such as Atlanta, GA.

• Smart speakers / assistants

  • You can ask:
    • “What time is it in Atlanta, Georgia right now?”
  • Most assistants will use a live world clock to give the precise answer.

• Traditional clocks and watches

  • Set them to Eastern Time, and remember to change them twice a year for DST.

Living in Atlanta: Timing Daily Life Around Local Time

If you’re in metro Atlanta—whether in Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Decatur, Sandy Springs, College Park, or East Point—everything runs on Eastern Time. A few timing tips that matter in everyday life:

Commuting and Traffic

• Rush hours typically run:
  • Morning: about 6:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
  • Evening: about 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Time changes in March and November can shift when it’s dark during your commute, especially on major roads like I‑75, I‑85, I‑20, and the Downtown Connector.

Public Transportation (MARTA)

MARTA trains and buses in Atlanta operate on local Eastern Time. For accurate schedules:

• Use the printed time as local Atlanta time (EST or EDT).
• Double check times after the spring forward and fall back weekends, since early Sunday services can feel off to riders who forgot to change clocks.

MARTA Customer Information Center (for schedule questions):

• Phone: (404) 848‑5000

Flights and the Airport (ATL)

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport uses local Atlanta time for:

• Departures and arrivals
• Boarding times
• Security checkpoint hours

If you’re flying in or out:

• Confirm whether your departure city is ahead or behind Eastern Time.
• Pay special attention near DST change dates, when flights can depart or arrive at an hour that feels earlier or later than expected.

Airport information (general):

• Main number: (800) 897‑1910 (widely listed for passenger information)

Visiting Atlanta: Adjusting to Local Time

If you’re arriving from another time zone, especially from the West Coast, Europe, or Asia, understanding Atlanta’s time helps with:

• Hotel check-in/check-out

  • Most Atlanta hotels use standard afternoon check-in times (often around 3:00 p.m. local time) and morning check-out times (commonly 11:00 a.m. local time).

• Events and attractions

  • Popular spots—like the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca‑Cola, Atlanta BeltLine, and Ponce City Market—post their hours in local Eastern Time.
  • If you’re booking timed entries (for example, aquarium tickets), ensure your reservation is aligned with Atlanta’s time, not your home time zone.

• Sports games

  • Atlanta Falcons (NFL), Atlanta Hawks (NBA), Atlanta Braves (MLB), Atlanta United FC (MLS) all use Atlanta’s local time for kickoff, tipoff, and first pitch.
  • National broadcasts may list times as ET—this is the same as Atlanta time.

Remote Work and Business Calls With Atlanta

If you’re scheduling calls or online meetings with someone in Atlanta, GA:

1. Confirm the time zone:
   • Say “Eastern Time (ET)” or “Atlanta time” when sending invites.
2. Use calendar tools:
   • Most digital calendars automatically convert to each participant’s local time zone.
3. Be mindful of DST differences:
   • Some regions do not observe daylight saving time or change on different dates, which can temporarily change the time difference with Atlanta.

For local business services (for example, Atlanta-based law firms, tech companies, or creative agencies), standard office hours are usually:

• Monday–Friday: roughly 8:00 or 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 or 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Government & Public Offices: Atlanta Time in Practice

Most public offices in the Atlanta area follow Eastern Time with typical business hours. A few key examples:

• City of Atlanta Government

  • Offices generally open around 8:15 or 8:30 a.m. and close around 5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday.
  • All times listed on their notices, hearings, and public meetings are in local Atlanta time.

• Fulton County Government (Downtown Atlanta)

  • Main Government Center:
    • 141 Pryor St SW
    • Atlanta, GA 30303
  • County services, courts, and public hearings are scheduled in Eastern Time.

• United States District Court – Northern District of Georgia (Atlanta Division)

  • Richard B. Russell Federal Building
    • 75 Ted Turner Dr SW
    • Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Court appearances and filing deadlines are tied to local Eastern Time.

Always double check official notices and appointments to ensure you have the correct local time written down—especially when traveling into Atlanta from another zone.

Practical Tips for Keeping Atlanta Time Straight

Here are some straightforward habits to stay in sync with Atlanta’s current local time:

• ✅ Use automatic time settings on phones and laptops so the device updates when you enter or leave Atlanta.
• ✅ Label your calendar invites with “ET” or “Atlanta time” when planning with people in other time zones.
• ✅ Check time near DST changes if your work, travel, or calls cross time zones.
• ✅ Ask explicitly when someone says “Let’s meet at 3”:
  • “3:00 p.m. your time or Atlanta time?”
• ✅ Keep at least one device (like your phone) always set to automatic network time as your “source of truth.”

To know exactly what time it is in Atlanta, GA right now, check a live clock or device set to Eastern Time. Once you confirm that, everything in the city—from MARTA trains to court hearings and Braves games—runs on that same Atlanta local time.