What Time Zone Is Atlanta, Georgia In?

Atlanta, Georgia is in the Eastern Time Zone of the United States. On clocks and schedules, you’ll usually see this written as ET, EST, or EDT, depending on the time of year.

If you live in Atlanta, are flying in for a visit, or are trying to coordinate a call with someone here, understanding Atlanta’s time zone helps you stay on schedule and avoid missed meetings or flights.

Atlanta’s Time Zone, Explained Simply

Atlanta is in:

  • Eastern Time Zone (ET)
  • Standard time name: Eastern Standard Time (EST)
  • Daylight saving time name: Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
  • Time zone identifier (for devices/apps):America/New_York

Atlanta shares the same time as cities like New York, Miami, and Washington, D.C.

How Atlanta Time Works Through the Year

Atlanta’s local time changes twice a year because of Daylight Saving Time (DST).

Eastern Standard Time (EST) in Atlanta

During the fall and winter months, Atlanta observes Eastern Standard Time (EST).

  • Offset from UTC:UTC−5
    • This means Atlanta is 5 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
  • Roughly from early November to mid-March each year.

In practical terms, when it’s 12:00 (noon) UTC, it’s 7:00 AM in Atlanta during EST.

Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) in Atlanta

In the spring and summer, Atlanta moves to Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) for Daylight Saving Time.

  • Offset from UTC:UTC−4
    • Atlanta is 4 hours behind UTC.
  • Roughly from mid-March to early November each year.

So when it’s 12:00 (noon) UTC, it’s 8:00 AM in Atlanta during EDT.

Quick Reference: What Time Zone Is Atlanta Right Now?

You can use this simple guide:

Time of Year (Typical)What Atlanta UsesUTC OffsetWhat You’ll See on Schedules
Mid-March to early November (spring–summer)EDTUTC−4Often labeled ET or EDT
Early November to mid-March (fall–winter)ESTUTC−5Often labeled ET or EST

Most U.S. calendars, airline schedules, and event listings just say “ET” (Eastern Time), which covers both EST and EDT depending on the date.

Daylight Saving Time in Atlanta: When the Clock Changes

Atlanta follows the United States Daylight Saving Time schedule:

  • ⏰ Spring “forward”:

    • Clocks move 1 hour ahead at 2:00 AM local time, usually in March.
    • You “lose” one hour of sleep, but evenings stay lighter later.

  • ⏰ Fall “back”:

    • Clocks move 1 hour back at 2:00 AM local time, usually in November.
    • You “gain” one hour, and it gets dark earlier in the evening.

If you’re planning early morning flights from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, late-night events, or remote work schedules around those months, double-check whether the time shift affects your plans.

Atlanta Time vs. Other Major Time Zones

If you’re coordinating with people outside Atlanta, here’s how local time usually compares:

  • Atlanta vs. Central Time (CT) (e.g., Nashville, Chicago, Dallas)

    • Atlanta is 1 hour ahead of Central Time.

  • Atlanta vs. Mountain Time (MT) (e.g., Denver, Phoenix*)

    • Atlanta is typically 2 hours ahead of Mountain Time.
    • Arizona often does not observe DST, so the difference can shift.

  • Atlanta vs. Pacific Time (PT) (e.g., Los Angeles, Seattle)

    • Atlanta is 3 hours ahead of Pacific Time.

  • Atlanta vs. London (UK)

    • During Atlanta’s EST (winter), Atlanta is usually 5 hours behind London.
    • During Atlanta’s EDT (summer), Atlanta is usually 4 hours behind London (because both regions change clocks, but not always on the same dates).

These differences matter if you’re:

  • Working remotely with West Coast or European teams
  • Watching live sports or streaming broadcasts scheduled in another time zone
  • Planning international calls from Atlanta

How Your Devices Know Atlanta’s Time Zone

Most smartphones, computers, and smartwatches can detect Atlanta’s time automatically if:

  • Location services are on
  • The device is set to use network-provided time or automatic time zone

For manual settings, choose:

  • Time zone: “Eastern Time (US & Canada)”
  • Or specifically: America/New_York (this is the standard database ID used for Atlanta)

This ensures your device automatically switches between EST and EDT on the correct days.

Using Atlanta Time for Travel Plans

If you’re flying into or out of Atlanta, every departure and arrival time listed for:

  • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
    is shown in local Atlanta time (Eastern Time).

Helpful tips for travelers:

  • ✈️ If you’re coming from Central, Mountain, or Pacific Time, remember that Atlanta will feel 1–3 hours later.
  • 🚆 Amtrak and intercity bus services that stop in Atlanta also list schedules in local time (Eastern).
  • 📅 When booking hotel check-ins or event tickets in the city, confirm whether the time is listed as ET and adjust if you’re coming from another zone.

Atlanta Time for Remote Work, Meetings, and Events

If you work with people outside Georgia, it’s useful to phrase times clearly. From Atlanta, you might say:

  • “Let’s meet at 3:00 PM Eastern Time”
  • Or “3:00 PM ET (Atlanta time)”

Common tools like calendar apps automatically convert time zones if:

  • You create the event in Eastern Time, and
  • The other person’s device is set to their local zone

⚠️ Around the days when Daylight Saving Time starts or ends, confirm meeting times with people in other countries, since not all regions change clocks on the same date—or at all.

Does All of Georgia Use the Same Time Zone as Atlanta?

Yes. The entire state of Georgia uses the Eastern Time Zone.

If you’re traveling from Atlanta to places like:

  • Savannah
  • Augusta
  • Macon
  • Columbus
  • Athens

you’ll stay in the same time zone with no clock changes.

Where to Double-Check the Official Time in Atlanta

If you need an authoritative source for the current local time in Atlanta—for example, for business, legal, or travel reasons—you can rely on:

  • Official U.S. time services accessed through your phone or computer’s time sync
  • Large institutions in the city that adhere strictly to official time, such as:
    • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
      • 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
    • City of Atlanta municipal offices, like Atlanta City Hall
      • 55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303

These organizations operate on official Eastern Time and update their clocks for Daylight Saving Time according to federal and state rules.

Key Takeaways About Atlanta’s Time Zone

  • Atlanta is in the Eastern Time Zone (ET).
  • Uses EST (UTC−5) in fall and winter and EDT (UTC−4) in spring and summer.
  • Atlanta time is the same as New York and one hour ahead of Central Time.
  • The city does observe Daylight Saving Time, with clock changes in March and November.
  • For devices, choose Eastern Time (US & Canada) or America/New_York to match Atlanta time.

If you keep “Atlanta = Eastern Time” in mind—and remember the Daylight Saving Time shifts—planning your day, travel, or meetings from or to Atlanta becomes much simpler.