What Time Is It in Atlanta Right Now?

If you’re searching for “Now Atlanta time”, you’re likely trying to figure out what time it is in Atlanta, Georgia right this moment, or how Atlanta’s time compares to where you are.

While this page can’t display a live clock, it explains exactly how Atlanta time works, how to convert it from other places, and what you should know if you live in, work with, or are visiting Atlanta.

Atlanta’s Time Zone at a Glance

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

  • Standard time name: Eastern Standard Time (EST)
  • Daylight time name: Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
  • Time zone abbreviation used locally:ET (Eastern Time)
  • Standard time offset:UTC–5
  • Daylight time offset:UTC–4

In everyday life, people in Atlanta usually just say “Eastern Time” (ET), not EST or EDT unless clarity is needed.

Does Atlanta Use Daylight Saving Time?

Yes. Like most of the United States, Atlanta observes Daylight Saving Time (DST).

Here’s how it works:

  • From March to early November
    Atlanta is on Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), which is UTC–4.
    Clocks are one hour ahead of winter time.

  • From early November to March
    Atlanta is on Eastern Standard Time (EST), which is UTC–5.

Typical pattern (dates shift slightly year to year, but the pattern stays the same):

Time of YearLocal Setting in AtlantaOffset from UTCWhat Happens
Second Sunday in MarchSwitch to EDTUTC–4Clocks move forward 1 hour (“spring forward”) around 2:00 a.m.
Second Sunday in March – NovEDT (Daylight Time)UTC–4Longer evenings, more daylight after work.
First Sunday in NovemberSwitch to ESTUTC–5Clocks move back 1 hour (“fall back”) around 2:00 a.m.
Nov – Second Sunday in MarchEST (Standard Time)UTC–5Earlier sunsets, standard winter schedule.

🕒 Quick tip:
If you’re planning meetings, flights, or events around these transition dates, double-check the local time listed on your ticket or calendar. Early morning times (around 2:00–3:00 a.m.) are the most affected.

How Atlanta Time Compares to Other Major Cities

If you know the time somewhere else and want to figure out Atlanta time right now, this comparison helps.

Below assumes Daylight Saving Time is in effect in both locations where applicable. During winter, the pattern is the same, but some places may not change.

Within the United States

Atlanta (ET) compared to:

  • New York (ET) – Same time as Atlanta
  • Washington, D.C. (ET) – Same time as Atlanta
  • Chicago (CT) – Atlanta is 1 hour ahead
  • Dallas (CT) – Atlanta is 1 hour ahead
  • Denver (MT) – Atlanta is 2 hours ahead
  • Phoenix (Arizona) – Usually Atlanta is 2 hours ahead (Arizona does not observe DST, so difference can be 3 hours in winter)
  • Los Angeles (PT) – Atlanta is 3 hours ahead

International Comparisons

Offsets assume Atlanta is on EDT (UTC–4). If Atlanta is on EST (UTC–5), add one more hour to the difference:

  • London (usually UTC or UTC+1)
    • When London is on British Summer Time (BST, UTC+1): Atlanta is 5 hours behind
    • When London is on GMT (UTC+0): Atlanta is 4 hours behind
  • Paris, Berlin, Rome (typically UTC+1 or UTC+2)
    • During European summer: Atlanta is 6 hours behind
    • During European winter: Atlanta is 5 hours behind
  • Tokyo (UTC+9)
    • Atlanta is usually 13 hours behind Tokyo during EDT
    • 14 hours behind during EST
  • Sydney (Australia)
    Time difference varies through the year due to southern hemisphere seasons and DST, but Atlanta is generally 14–16 hours behind.

To find “Now Atlanta time” from another city:

  1. Check your local time.
  2. Apply the appropriate hour difference above.
  3. Adjust for whether each place is on DST right now.

Why “Now Atlanta Time” Matters for Locals

If you live in metro Atlanta—whether in Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Decatur, Sandy Springs, East Point, or College Park—knowing your exact time zone is helpful for:

  • Remote work and virtual meetings with teams in other states or countries
  • Coordinating travel through Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  • Watching national broadcasts, sports, and live events that list times in Eastern or other time zones
  • Online shopping or customer support, when websites list operating hours in a different time zone

Most phones and computers in Atlanta automatically adjust to Eastern Time and handle Daylight Saving Time for you, as long as your device’s location and time zone settings are correct.

How to Make Sure Your Devices Show the Correct Atlanta Time

If your clock looks off, especially around the DST change, it’s worth checking your settings.

On Smartphones (General Guidance)

  • Ensure “Set time automatically” or “Use network-provided time” is turned on.
  • Make sure the time zone is set to “Eastern Time” or “New York / Eastern”, or that location services are allowed for time settings.

On Computers

  • Set your time zone to “(UTC–05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)”.
  • Leave automatic time and DST adjustment enabled if available.

In Your Car or Appliances

These often do not update automatically:

  • Update the time manually twice a year after the spring forward and fall back changes.
  • Some newer car systems offer GPS time sync or a DST on/off setting—check your vehicle’s menu.

Planning Flights, Trains, and Buses in Atlanta Time

All major transportation options in Atlanta operate on local Atlanta time:

  • Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

    • All departure and arrival times on tickets, boards, and confirmations are listed in local time at the airport.
    • If your itinerary includes another city, each leg will typically show that city’s local time.

  • MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) buses and trains

    • Schedules, posted times, and digital signs all use Atlanta local time.

  • Greyhound, Megabus, and other intercity buses

    • Also use local time at each stop, which will be Eastern Time in Atlanta.

When you see a schedule that says “Depart 3:30 p.m.” at Atlanta:

  • That means 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time, taking into account whatever DST status Atlanta is in on that date.

Watching Sports, Events, and TV in Atlanta Time

Many national broadcasts and major events list times as ET / PT or ET only.
Because Atlanta is in the Eastern Time Zone, you can use the time exactly as listed for ET.

Examples:

  • An NFL game listed as “Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET”
    → In Atlanta, it starts at 8:20 p.m.
  • An awards show airing at “8/7c” (8 p.m. Eastern / 7 p.m. Central)
    → In Atlanta, it starts at 8:00 p.m.

If you’re scheduling a personal event—like a concert, wedding, or meetup—be clear that the time is in Atlanta (Eastern Time) if guests are traveling from other zones.

Working With People in Other Time Zones From Atlanta

If you’re in Atlanta and scheduling calls or video meetings, it helps to translate from Atlanta time to your colleagues’ time zones.

A simple mental guide when Atlanta is on Eastern Time:

  • West Coast U.S. (Pacific Time – PT):
    Subtract 3 hours from Atlanta time.

    • 3:00 p.m. in Atlanta → 12:00 p.m. in Los Angeles.

  • Central Time (CT), like Chicago or Dallas:
    Subtract 1 hour from Atlanta time.

    • 10:00 a.m. in Atlanta → 9:00 a.m. in Chicago.

  • United Kingdom (London, mostly):
    Add 4–5 hours depending on the time of year.

    • 9:00 a.m. in Atlanta → 2:00 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. in London.

  • India (IST, UTC+5:30):
    Add 9.5–10.5 hours depending on DST.

    • 9:00 a.m. in Atlanta → roughly 6:30–7:30 p.m. in India.

When in doubt, many people in Atlanta avoid confusion by writing times as:

  • “3:00 p.m. ET (Atlanta time)” in emails or invites.

Common Questions About Atlanta Time

Is Atlanta always on the same time as New York?

Yes. Both cities are in the Eastern Time Zone and follow the same Daylight Saving Time rules, so Atlanta time and New York time are the same all year.

Does any part of metro Atlanta use a different time zone?

No. The entire City of Atlanta and the surrounding metro counties (like Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, Clayton, and others) are on the same Eastern Time.

Does Atlanta ever “opt out” of Daylight Saving Time?

No. Atlanta follows Georgia state law and federal rules for time and observes the usual DST pattern like most of the country.

How can I be sure of the exact “Now Atlanta time” right this second?

Because this page doesn’t show a live clock, the most reliable way while you’re in or near the city is to:

  • Check your smartphone’s time with the time zone set to Eastern Time or location-based time.
  • Look at official clocks in public spaces like Atlanta City Hall, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, or MARTA stations, which follow accurate local time.
  • Use a trusted digital device that syncs automatically to network or internet time.

Quick Reference: What You Need to Remember

Key points about “Now Atlanta time”:

  • Atlanta is in the Eastern Time Zone (ET).
  • It uses EST (UTC–5) in winter and EDT (UTC–4) in summer.
  • Atlanta follows Daylight Saving Time, changing clocks in March and November.
  • Time is the same as New York and other major East Coast cities.
  • All local services—airports, MARTA, businesses, events, and government offices—run on Atlanta local time (ET).

Once you know that Atlanta is on Eastern Time, you can reliably convert from your location and figure out what the current time in Atlanta is at any moment.