What Time Is It in Atlanta? Understanding the Atlanta Time Zone

If you live in Atlanta, are planning a visit, or need to schedule a call with someone here, it helps to understand exactly what time zone Atlanta is in and how it changes throughout the year.

Atlanta, Georgia follows the Eastern Time Zone of the United States, but there are a few important details to know about standard time, daylight saving time, and time differences with other places.

Atlanta’s Official Time Zone

Atlanta is in the:

• Time zone name: Eastern Time
• Standard time:Eastern Standard Time (EST) – UTC−5
• Daylight saving time:Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) – UTC−4

In everyday life, people here simply call it “Eastern Time” or “Atlanta time.”

When Atlanta is on EST vs. EDT

Atlanta changes clocks twice a year:

• Eastern Standard Time (EST)

  • Roughly early November to mid‑March
  • Clocks are set to UTC−5
  • It gets dark earlier in the evening

• Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

  • Roughly mid‑March to early November
  • Clocks “spring forward” one hour
  • Atlanta is on UTC−4, with more daylight in the evening

Most phones, computers, and smart devices in Atlanta will update automatically as long as the time zone is set to “Eastern Time (US & Canada)” and automatic time is enabled.

Quick Reference: Atlanta Time vs. Other Major Cities

Here’s a simple guide to how Atlanta time compares to a few other common locations. This assumes daylight saving rules are in effect in each place (so the exact offset can vary during the year).

Because different countries observe daylight saving time differently (or not at all), it’s always a good idea to double‑check a world clock or time zone converter when planning international calls with someone in Atlanta.

Daylight Saving Time in Atlanta: What You Need to Know

When Do the Clocks Change?

In Atlanta:

• ⏰ “Spring forward”: Clocks move 1 hour forward in the spring
• ⏰ “Fall back”: Clocks move 1 hour back in the fall

The exact dates change slightly every year, but the pattern is:

• Start of daylight saving time:
  • Early March, early morning (clocks jump from 2:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.)
• End of daylight saving time:
  • Early November, early morning (clocks go from 2:00 a.m. back to 1:00 a.m.)

If you have early flights at Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport or early Sunday events (like races, church, or shift work), it’s important to double‑check the time on those changeover weekends.

How Atlanta’s Time Zone Affects Daily Life

Flights, Trains, and Buses

All commercial transportation schedules in Atlanta run on local Eastern Time:

• Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  Flight departure and arrival times are always listed in local time for each airport. If you’re flying in or out of Atlanta:

  • Check whether your connecting city is in a different time zone (for example, Chicago, Denver, or Los Angeles).
  • Keep in mind daylight saving changes, especially if you book tickets months in advance.

• Amtrak (Peachtree Station on Deering Road) and intercity buses (Greyhound, Megabus, etc.) also list schedules in local time. If you’re coming from Central Time cities like Nashville or New Orleans, your watch or phone will shift one hour when you cross into Georgia.

Local Events and Appointments

If you’re scheduling or attending:

• Sports games (Atlanta Falcons, Hawks, Braves, United, Dream)
• Concerts, festivals, or conferences at places like State Farm Arena, Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, or the Georgia World Congress Center
• Government or medical appointments in Atlanta

Everything is set to Eastern Time. This matters most if:

• You’re joining virtually from another time zone
• You’re traveling in from out of state and driving across time zones
• You’re working remote or hybrid and your company is based somewhere else

Atlanta Time Zone for Remote Work and Calls

Many people in Atlanta work with teams across the country or around the world. When someone says:

• “9 a.m. ET” – that’s 9 a.m. Atlanta time
• “Standup is at 3 p.m. Eastern” – log on at 3 p.m. Atlanta time

To avoid confusion:

• Clarify: “Is that Eastern Time?” when you schedule meetings.
• If you’re the one sending invites, consider adding “(Atlanta time)” to your calendar descriptions.
• Most calendar systems (like Outlook, Google Calendar, and Apple Calendar) let you view multiple time zones at once, which can help when coordinating between Atlanta, the West Coast, and overseas.

How to Make Sure Your Devices Show the Correct Time in Atlanta

If you’re visiting Atlanta or just moved here, it’s smart to confirm that your devices are set up correctly.

On Smartphones

On most phones, you’ll want:

• Time zone: “Eastern Time (US & Canada)” or “New York”
• Automatic date & time: Turned ON so the device updates when you travel

This ensures your calendar reminders, text timestamps, rideshare pickups, and food delivery times all line up with Atlanta’s local time.

In Cars and Appliances

If you drive into Atlanta from Central Time states (like Alabama or Tennessee), your:

• Car clock
• Smartwatch
• Microwave / oven clocks

may still show your old time zone. Adjust them to match:

• Whatever your phone is showing while you’re in Atlanta
• Local references like TV guides, event start times, or posted hours on buildings

TV, Radio, and Streaming in Atlanta Time

If you’re watching or listening in Atlanta:

• Local TV stations (for example, outlets branded around channels 2, 5, 11, 46) run all schedules on Eastern Time.
• National broadcasts that say “8/7c” air at 8 p.m. in Atlanta because Atlanta is in Eastern Time, not Central.
• Live sports and national events (like big games, awards shows, or speeches) that list “8 p.m. ET” are live at 8 p.m. in Atlanta.

Streaming services usually match your device’s time, so if your device is set for Atlanta time, countdowns and new‑episode releases adjust automatically.

Time Zone Considerations for Visitors to Atlanta

If you’re traveling to Atlanta, here’s what typically changes when you arrive:

• From Central Time (e.g., Birmingham, Nashville, New Orleans)
  • You’ll move your clock forward 1 hour to match Atlanta.
• From Mountain Time (e.g., Denver)
  • Move your clock forward 2 hours.
• From Pacific Time (e.g., Los Angeles, Seattle)
  • Move your clock forward 3 hours.

Helpful tips for visitors:

• If you have tours, restaurant reservations, or event tickets in Atlanta, all times will be local Eastern Time.
• For early morning commitments (like a 7 a.m. conference session downtown), factor in the time difference so you’re not unintentionally arriving an hour late or early.
• If you’re calling home to a different time zone, use world clock features on your phone labeled “Atlanta,” “New York,” or “Eastern Time.”

Common Questions About the Atlanta Time Zone

Is Atlanta always the same time as New York?

Yes. Atlanta and New York are both in the Eastern Time Zone and switch between EST and EDT on the same dates, so they stay in sync year‑round.

Do all parts of Georgia use the same time zone as Atlanta?

Yes. The entire state of Georgia, including Atlanta, uses Eastern Time.

Does Atlanta ever stop using daylight saving time?

Under current rules, Atlanta does observe daylight saving time every year. There is occasional public discussion about changing daylight saving practices in various states, but Atlanta follows the same federal daylight saving schedule as the rest of the Eastern Time states.

Fast Facts: Atlanta Time Zone at a Glance

• Time zone: Eastern Time (ET)
• Standard time: Eastern Standard Time (EST), UTC−5
• Daylight saving: Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), UTC−4
• Daylight saving observed: Yes, roughly March–November
• Same time as: New York, Miami, Washington, D.C., and most of the East Coast
• Common label on devices: “Eastern Time (US & Canada)”

As long as your devices are set to Eastern Time and automatic time updates are enabled, you’ll be correctly aligned with Atlanta’s local time, whether you’re living here, visiting, or just coordinating from afar.