What Time Is It in Atlanta Right Now?

If you’re searching for “Atlanta US time now,” you’re probably trying to figure out the current local time in Atlanta, Georgia, or how it compares to other places in the United States or the world.

Atlanta follows Eastern Time, but there are a few details—like Daylight Saving Time—that can easily cause confusion, especially for visitors, remote workers, or anyone scheduling calls across time zones.

This guide walks you through exactly what time it is in Atlanta, how Atlanta time works year-round, and what you should know to avoid missed flights, late meetings, or early morning surprises.

Atlanta’s Time Zone: The Basics

Atlanta, Georgia is in the Eastern Time Zone (ET).

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

In everyday terms, that means:

• During fall and winter, Atlanta time is usually written as EST.
• During spring and summer, Atlanta switches to EDT for Daylight Saving Time.

When you see a digital clock or website show “ET” (Eastern Time), that includes both EST and EDT, depending on the time of year.

Does Atlanta Observe Daylight Saving Time?

Yes. Atlanta observes Daylight Saving Time (DST) along with most of the United States.

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 moves 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 moves from EDT (UTC−4) back to EST (UTC−5)

This affects:

• Flight times at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• Train and bus schedules (for example, Greyhound or regional transit connections)
• TV broadcasts and streaming release times
• Work calls or classes with people in other time zones

If you’re in Atlanta or visiting around those dates, it’s important to update clocks that don’t change automatically—such as simple alarm clocks, wall clocks, and some car dashboards—to avoid being off by an hour.

Quick Time Reference for Atlanta

Here’s a simple summary of how Atlanta time lines up with other common U.S. time zones:

*Assumes both places are observing their usual time (standard or daylight) for the season.

How to Check the Exact Current Time in Atlanta

Because time changes with Daylight Saving and you might be reading this at any point in the year, the most reliable way to know Atlanta’s time right now is to check a real-time source:

• Use your smartphone clock:
  • Add a world clock entry for “Atlanta” to see the current local time instantly.
• Use a computer or tablet:
  • Set your device’s location to Atlanta, GA (or Eastern Time) in date and time settings.
• Use a smart speaker or digital assistant:
  • Ask: “What time is it in Atlanta, Georgia?” to hear the current local time.

If your phone is physically in the Atlanta area and your settings allow automatic time, it will generally sync to local Atlanta time on its own.

Atlanta Time for Travelers

If you’re flying into or out of Atlanta, here’s what to keep in mind.

Flights and Atlanta Time

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) uses local Atlanta time (Eastern Time) for:

• Arrival and departure boards
• Boarding times printed on your pass
• Airline announcements and gate times

Tips for travelers:

• 🛄 Check your itinerary: Airlines will typically list times in local time for each airport. If your flight originates or ends in Atlanta, those times are Atlanta local time.
• 🕒 Adjust your watch/phone: If you’re coming from another U.S. time zone, remember Atlanta may be 1–3 hours ahead of where you started.
• 🚗 Ground transportation: MARTA train schedules, rideshare pickups, and hotel check-ins are all based on local Atlanta time.

Public Transit and Local Travel

If you’re using MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) buses or trains:

• Service hours and departure times are posted in local Eastern Time.
• If you’ve just arrived from another time zone, confirm that your phone or watch has updated before planning transfers or last trains of the night.

Atlanta Time for Remote Work, Calls, and Online Events

Many people in Atlanta work with colleagues or clients in other time zones. To avoid confusion:

• When scheduling, specify “Eastern Time” or “ET” rather than just “Atlanta time,” especially for people outside the U.S.
• Note whether your meeting is during Daylight Saving Time (EDT) or Standard Time (EST) if you’re working with someone in a country that does not change clocks.

Examples:

• If it’s 9:00 a.m. in Atlanta, it is typically:
  • 8:00 a.m. in Chicago (Central Time)
  • 7:00 a.m. in Denver (Mountain Time)
  • 6:00 a.m. in Los Angeles (Pacific Time)

Using calendar tools that automatically convert time zones can significantly cut down on missed or late meetings.

Atlanta Time and International Calls

If you’re in Atlanta and connecting with someone overseas, you’ll want to know how local time compares internationally.

Common examples when Atlanta is on Standard Time (EST, UTC−5):

• London (GMT): 5 hours ahead of Atlanta
• Paris, Berlin, Rome (Central European Time – CET): 6 hours ahead
• Tokyo (Japan Standard Time – JST): 14 hours ahead
• Sydney (Australia Eastern Time – AET): 16 hours ahead

During Daylight Saving Time in Atlanta (EDT, UTC−4), these differences may shift by an hour depending on whether the other location also changes clocks.

Practical tips:

• 🌍 Use a world clock app and add “Atlanta” plus the cities you call most often.
• ✅ Always confirm “your time vs. my time” when scheduling, especially across continents.

How Atlanta’s Time Can Affect Daily Life

For people who live in or frequently visit Atlanta, the time pattern influences more than just clocks.

Business and Office Hours

Most businesses, government offices, and services in Atlanta operate on standard business hours in local Eastern Time, such as:

• Typical office hours: around 8:00 or 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 or 6:00 p.m. ET
• Retail stores: often open later into the evening, especially in shopping areas like Lenox Square or Ponce City Market
• Restaurants and nightlife districts in Midtown, Buckhead, and along the BeltLine may stay open much later, particularly on weekends

If you need in-person services (like banks, city offices, or libraries), always check their posted hours in Atlanta local time.

Government Offices and Time-Related Matters

Many city and state services are time-sensitive—such as court appointments or licensing.

Examples of Atlanta-area locations using local Eastern Time for appointments and deadlines include:

• City of Atlanta Municipal Court
  150 Garnett St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Fulton County Government Center
  141 Pryor St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) customer service centers in the metro area

Missing an appointment or deadline by an hour because of time zone confusion can create avoidable problems, so double-check that your devices are set to Eastern Time if you’re traveling from out of state.

Common Questions About Atlanta Time

Is Atlanta always the same time as New York?

Yes. Atlanta and New York City are both in Eastern Time, and both observe Daylight Saving Time in the same way. When it’s 2:00 p.m. in Atlanta, it’s 2:00 p.m. in New York.

Is Atlanta time the same as Florida time?

It depends on the part of Florida:

• Most of Florida (including cities like Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville) is on Eastern Time, same as Atlanta.
• The Florida Panhandle region near the Alabama border uses Central Time, which is 1 hour behind Atlanta.

Does Atlanta ever change time zone?

No. Atlanta remains in the Eastern Time Zone year-round. Only the offset from UTC changes twice a year because of Daylight Saving Time (between EST and EDT).

Simple Steps to Make Sure You’re on Atlanta Time

To avoid confusion when you need the correct Atlanta time right now, use this quick checklist:

1. Check your device settings

   • Make sure “Set time automatically” and “Set time zone automatically” are turned on, or manually choose Eastern Time (US & Canada).

2. If you’re visiting Atlanta

   • After landing at ATL, confirm that your phone or watch has updated from your home time zone to Eastern Time.
   • Update any manual clocks (car, travel alarm, wristwatch).

3. For calls and meetings

   • Clearly state: “Let’s meet at [time] Eastern Time / Atlanta time.”
   • Use a calendar invite so the other person’s device can convert to their local time.

4. Around March and November

   • Remember the “spring forward” and “fall back” Sundays when Atlanta shifts between EST and EDT.
   • On those days, double-check times for early flights, religious services, exams, and events.

By keeping these basics in mind, you can always stay aligned with Atlanta’s local time, whether you’re living in the city, planning a visit, or coordinating from somewhere else in the world.