What Time Is It in Atlanta Right Now? A Local Guide to Atlanta’s Time

If you’re asking “Atlanta now time”, you’re really looking for two things:

1. What time is it in Atlanta, Georgia right now?
2. How does time work here—time zone, daylight saving time, and how Atlanta time compares to other places.

You’ll need to check a clock, phone, or device set to Atlanta, GA or Eastern Time for the exact current time, but this guide explains everything you need to know about Atlanta’s time zone, daylight saving rules, and local timing tips.

Atlanta’s Time Zone: The Basics

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

• Standard time name: Eastern Standard Time (EST)
• Daylight saving time name: Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
• Standard time offset: UTC−5 (5 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time)
• Daylight saving offset: UTC−4 (4 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time)

So when you’re checking “Atlanta now time”:

• In winter months, you’ll see it listed as EST
• In summer months, you’ll see it listed as EDT

Your phone or computer will usually adjust automatically if it’s set to Atlanta, Georgia, or Eastern Time (US & Canada).

Does Atlanta Use Daylight Saving Time?

Yes. Atlanta follows daylight saving time (DST) along with most of Georgia and the Eastern U.S.

Here’s how it works in Atlanta:

• Starts: Second Sunday in March
  • Clocks spring forward from 2:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.
  • Atlanta switches from EST (UTC−5) to EDT (UTC−4)
• Ends: First Sunday in November
  • Clocks fall back from 2:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
  • Atlanta switches from EDT (UTC−4) back to EST (UTC−5)

What this means for you

• If you’re traveling to Atlanta in the spring, one night will be an hour “shorter.”
• If you’re here in the fall, you’ll get an extra hour overnight when clocks roll back.
• For early flights from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), always double-check the local time around these dates.

Quick Reference: Atlanta Time vs. Other U.S. Cities

Below is a simple comparison of Atlanta’s local time with other major U.S. time zones when daylight saving time is in effect in all those areas:

*Arizona’s time difference can change during the year because most of the state does not observe daylight saving time.

If you’re planning calls or virtual meetings with people in other cities, use this table as a starting point, then confirm with a world clock or calendar app.

Atlanta Time and International Travel

Many visitors and residents in Atlanta coordinate with people in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Here are general patterns when Atlanta is on daylight saving time (EDT, UTC−4):

• London, UK (BST): Usually 4–5 hours ahead of Atlanta
• Paris, France / Berlin, Germany (CEST): Usually 6 hours ahead
• Tokyo, Japan (JST): Typically 13 hours ahead
• Beijing, China (CST): Typically 12 hours ahead
• Mexico City, Mexico: Often 1 hour behind, depending on local DST rules
• São Paulo, Brazil: The difference varies seasonally; check a world clock

🌍 Tip: When scheduling international calls from Atlanta, choose mid-morning (9–11 a.m.) or early afternoon (1–3 p.m.) Atlanta time for the best overlap with Europe and some parts of Africa.

How to Check the Current Local Time in Atlanta

To see the exact “Atlanta now time” at any moment, you can:

• Look at your smartphone and ensure:
  • Location is set to Atlanta or Georgia
  • Time zone is Automatic / Eastern Time (US & Canada)
• Use a computer clock, adjusting regional settings to Atlanta, GA or Eastern Time
• Check a digital wall clock or alarm clock that’s set to Eastern Time and updated for daylight saving time

If you just landed at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, most terminal clocks, gate screens, and local transit information use Atlanta local time, so you can sync your watch there.

Timing Your Day in Atlanta: Local Tips

Morning and Commute Times

• Morning rush hour: Typically 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Atlanta time
• Traffic is common on major routes like I-75, I-85, I-285, and the Downtown Connector, so give yourself extra time for early appointments.

Business and Government Hours

Most offices in Atlanta operate on Eastern Time with schedules such as:

• Typical business hours:
  • Monday–Friday, roughly 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. or 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Common public offices operating on Atlanta local time include:

• City of Atlanta City Hall
  • 55 Trinity Avenue SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Fulton County Government Center
  • 141 Pryor Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
• DeKalb County Government / County offices (for nearby areas like Decatur)

Always check specific department hours before visiting, since some services close early or require appointments.

Courts and Legal Appointments

Court times are strict and always based on local Atlanta time:

• Fulton County Courthouse
  • 185 Central Avenue SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Atlanta Municipal Court
  • 150 Garnett Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303

If you’re coming from another time zone (for example, flying in from the West Coast), adjust your schedule ahead of time so you arrive early in Atlanta time.

Atlanta Time for Transit, Flights, and MARTA

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

• All arrival and departure boards display local Atlanta time.
• Airlines also list departure times in Atlanta time for flights leaving from ATL.

If your ticket says a flight leaves at 3:00 p.m., that is 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time in Atlanta, regardless of where you’re connecting next.

MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority)

Atlanta’s MARTA buses and trains run on local Eastern Time:

• MARTA Headquarters / Five Points Station area
  • 2424 Piedmont Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30324 (administrative offices)

Train and bus schedule times are always in Atlanta time, so make sure your phone is updated when traveling from a different time zone.

Atlanta Events, Sports, and Nightlife Timing

Atlanta’s busy calendar means timing matters.

Sports

Major Atlanta teams schedule games in local time, for example:

• Atlanta Falcons (NFL) – home games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Atlanta Hawks (NBA) – home games at State Farm Arena
• Atlanta United FC (MLS) – also at Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Game times printed on tickets or announced on local media are always in Eastern Time. If you’re watching from another state or country, adjust for your own time zone.

Concerts and Shows

Most concerts and shows in places like:

• Fox Theatre – 660 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
• Tabernacle – 152 Luckie Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30303

list door times and show times in Atlanta’s local time. Arrive a bit early—30–45 minutes before the listed time—to get through lines and security.

Daylight and Sunset in Atlanta

Atlanta’s position in the Eastern Time Zone means:

• Summer days are long, with sunset often after 8:30 p.m. Atlanta time
• Winter days are shorter, with sunset sometimes before 6:00 p.m.

This affects:

• Parks and outdoor spaces – Some close at sunset or a specific local time.
• Driving conditions – Rush hour in the dark during winter months can be slower.

If you’re planning outdoor activities at places like:

• Piedmont Park – 1320 Monroe Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
• Atlanta BeltLine (multiple access points)

check current sunrise and sunset times for Atlanta, GA on your phone’s weather app so you’re not caught out after dark if the area has limited lighting or fixed closing times.

Moving To or From Atlanta: Adjusting to Eastern Time

If you’re relocating or visiting from another U.S. time zone:

• From Central Time (e.g., Nashville, New Orleans):
  • Add 1 hour to your home time for Atlanta.
• From Mountain Time (e.g., Denver):
  • Add 2 hours.
• From Pacific Time (e.g., Los Angeles, Seattle):
  • Add 3 hours.

⏰ Adjustment tip:
A day or two before traveling to Atlanta, try going to bed and waking up 30–60 minutes closer to Eastern Time. This can make early meetings, school start times, or morning commutes in Atlanta feel easier.

Key Takeaways About Atlanta’s Current Time

• Atlanta, Georgia is always on Eastern Time:
  • EST (UTC−5) in fall and winter
  • EDT (UTC−4) in spring and summer
• Atlanta does observe daylight saving time, changing clocks in March and November.
• All local services, courts, schools, government offices, MARTA, and ATL flights operate on Atlanta’s local time.
• When in doubt, set your device to “Atlanta, Georgia” or “Eastern Time (US & Canada)” and let it update automatically.

To know “Atlanta now time” at this exact moment, check any device set to Atlanta local time—and you’ll be fully aligned with what the city is running on right now.