Time Zone in Atlanta, Georgia: What You Need to Know

If you live in Atlanta, Georgia, are planning a trip here, or need to schedule a call with someone in the city, understanding the Atlanta time zone is essential. Atlanta is a major hub for business, travel, and events, so knowing how local time works—especially with daylight saving time—helps you avoid missed meetings and travel headaches.

What Time Zone Is Atlanta, Georgia In?

Atlanta is in the Eastern Time Zone of the United States.

• Standard time name: Eastern Standard Time (EST)
• UTC offset during standard time:UTC−5 hours

When daylight saving time is not in effect, Atlanta time is 5 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

You’ll see Atlanta’s time zone written in many places as “America/New_York” in technical settings (such as phone, computer, or calendar time zone options). Even though this label says New York, it applies to all Eastern Time locations, including Atlanta.

Daylight Saving Time in Atlanta

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

When Does DST Start and End?

• Starts: The second Sunday in March

  • Clocks “spring forward” from 2:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.
  • Time zone becomes Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
  • UTC offset during DST:UTC−4 hours

• Ends: The first Sunday in November

  • Clocks “fall back” from 2:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
  • Time zone returns to Eastern Standard Time (EST)
  • UTC offset during standard time:UTC−5 hours

During DST, Atlanta is one hour ahead of its winter schedule.

Quick Time Zone Reference for Atlanta

Here’s a simple breakdown of how time works in Atlanta through the year:

Key takeaway:
✅ Atlanta, Georgia is always in the Eastern Time Zone; only the offset from UTC changes between EST and EDT.

Atlanta Time Compared to Other U.S. Cities

If you’re coordinating across the country, here’s how Atlanta time typically compares:

• New York, NY (Eastern Time):
  Atlanta time is the same as New York year-round.

• Chicago, IL (Central Time):
  Chicago is usually 1 hour behind Atlanta.

• Denver, CO (Mountain Time):
  Denver is usually 2 hours behind Atlanta.

• Los Angeles, CA (Pacific Time):
  Los Angeles is usually 3 hours behind Atlanta.

• Phoenix, AZ (most of Arizona):
  Does not observe DST.

  • In winter, Phoenix is 2 hours behind Atlanta.
  • In summer, Phoenix is 3 hours behind Atlanta.

This matters if you’re planning virtual meetings, nationwide events, or remote work calls involving Atlanta.

Atlanta Time vs. Major International Cities

If you’re flying in or out of Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, or working with global teams, these rough time differences can help. (Actual difference may vary during DST changes in other countries.)

• London (UK)

  • During Atlanta’s EST (winter): London is usually 5 hours ahead
  • During Atlanta’s EDT (summer): London is usually 4 hours ahead

• Paris/Berlin/Rome (Central Europe)

  • Typically 6 hours ahead of Atlanta in winter
  • Typically 6 hours ahead in summer too, but both sides shift at slightly different dates around DST changes, so double-check close to transition weeks.

• Tokyo (Japan)

  • Generally 14 hours ahead of Atlanta during EST
  • 13 hours ahead during EDT

• Sydney (Australia)

  • Time difference varies more due to Southern Hemisphere seasons and DST. If you’re planning calls or travel, it’s safest to confirm with a world clock for specific dates.

How Daylight Saving Time Impacts Daily Life in Atlanta

DST changes are easy to overlook, but they affect many daily activities in Atlanta:

• Flight times:
  Departures and arrivals at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) are always listed in local Atlanta time. If you’re flying in from or out to a different time zone—especially internationally—make sure your itinerary reflects the correct Atlanta time, particularly near March and November.

• Public transit schedules:
  Systems such as MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) operate on local time. When the clocks change, train and bus times still follow posted local times; it’s your watch or phone that needs to be correct.

• Business hours:
  Most offices, government agencies, and services in Atlanta align their hours with local Eastern Time, adjusting automatically with DST. If you work remotely with companies outside the Eastern Time Zone, confirm meeting times around the spring and fall clock changes.

• Events and sports:
  Professional sports games, concerts, and festivals in Atlanta list start times in local Eastern Time. If you’re streaming a game featuring teams like the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks, or Atlanta Falcons from another time zone, remember everything is scheduled on Atlanta’s local clock.

Checking the Current Time in Atlanta

If you’re unsure of the current time in Atlanta, Georgia:

• Most smartphones and computers can be set to the Eastern Time or America/New_York time zone. When correctly configured, they automatically handle daylight saving changes.
• For wall clocks, car clocks, or manual watches, you’ll need to:
  • Move them forward 1 hour on the second Sunday in March.
  • Move them back 1 hour on the first Sunday in November.

Tip: Many Atlantans use phone calendar reminders around those weekends to update any clocks that don’t change automatically.

Time Zone and Georgia State Agencies in Atlanta

If you’re dealing with court times, government appointments, or state services in Atlanta, everything is based on local Atlanta time (Eastern Time).

Some commonly used Atlanta-area agencies and locations operating on Eastern Time include:

• Georgia State Capitol

  • Atlanta, GA 30334
  • State government offices and legislative sessions follow Eastern Time.

• Fulton County Government Center

  • 141 Pryor Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Court dates, hearings, and public meetings are scheduled in local Eastern Time.

• Atlanta City Hall

  • 55 Trinity Avenue SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • City services, permits, and public hearings run on Atlanta’s local time.

When you receive a notice, summons, or appointment time from any Atlanta-based office, assume it is stated in Eastern Time unless clearly noted otherwise.

Tips for Visitors Adjusting to Atlanta Time

If you’re traveling to Atlanta from another time zone, these simple steps can help:

• Change your phone’s time zone to “Eastern Time” if it doesn’t switch automatically.
• Update your calendar events to display in Atlanta’s time while you’re here, especially for:
  • Conferences at the Georgia World Congress Center
  • Business meetings downtown or in Midtown
  • Flights through ATL
• Plan sleep and meals around local time if you’re coming from far away (for example, the West Coast or overseas) to ease jet lag and avoid missing early meetings.

Common Time-Related Questions in Atlanta

Is Atlanta always the same time as New York?

Yes. Atlanta and New York are always on the same local time, switching between EST and EDT on the same dates.

Does Atlanta ever use Central Time?

No. Atlanta, Georgia is always in the Eastern Time Zone. Some parts of the U.S. use Central Time, but no part of metropolitan Atlanta does.

Does Georgia still observe daylight saving time?

Yes. Atlanta and the rest of Georgia currently observe daylight saving time, with the standard March and November clock changes commonly used across much of the United States.

Simple Summary for Atlanta’s Time Zone

• Time zone: Eastern Time (ET)
• Standard time: Eastern Standard Time (EST), UTC−5
• Daylight saving time: Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), UTC−4
• DST observed:
  • Starts: 2nd Sunday in March (clocks forward 1 hour)
  • Ends: 1st Sunday in November (clocks back 1 hour)
• Used by: All city services, public transit, courts, businesses, schools, events, and Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

If you set your devices to Eastern Time and remember the spring forward / fall back pattern, you’ll stay on schedule in Atlanta, Georgia year-round.