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

If you’re wondering “What is the time now in Atlanta, USA?”, the direct answer is:

Atlanta, Georgia follows Eastern Time, which is:

• Eastern Standard Time (EST) in fall and winter: UTC−5
• Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) in spring and summer: UTC−4

Because exact clock time changes from moment to moment, the most reliable way to know the current time in Atlanta is to check:

• The clock on your phone or computer (set to Atlanta or Eastern Time)
• Any digital device that automatically updates based on your location

Below is everything you need to know about how time works in Atlanta, how it shifts throughout the year, and how it compares to other places.

Atlanta’s Time Zone: Eastern Time (ET)

Atlanta is in the Eastern Time Zone of the United States, the same time zone as:

• New York
• Washington, D.C.
• Miami
• Most of the East Coast

You’ll often see Atlanta’s local time written as:

• ET (Eastern Time)
• EST (Eastern Standard Time) during winter
• EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) during summer

Key point:
If your device is set to “Eastern Time (US & Canada)”, it will match the local time in Atlanta automatically.

Does Atlanta Use Daylight Saving Time?

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

Here’s how it works most years:

• ⏰ Second Sunday in March
  Clocks spring forward 1 hour.
  Atlanta switches from EST (UTC−5) to EDT (UTC−4).

• ⏰ First Sunday in November
  Clocks fall back 1 hour.
  Atlanta switches from EDT (UTC−4) to EST (UTC−5).

For you, that means:

• In summer, evenings stay lighter longer.
• In winter, it gets dark earlier, and mornings are lighter.

If you’re scheduling flights, meetings, or calls, always double-check whether a time falls under EST or EDT, especially in March and November when the change happens.

Atlanta Local Time vs. Other U.S. Cities

If you’re visiting Atlanta or coordinating with people in other states, these typical time differences can help.

Typical time differences (when all areas are on standard time or all on daylight time):

*Arizona does not generally observe Daylight Saving Time, so the difference with Atlanta can shift during the year.

Example:
If it’s 3:00 p.m. in Atlanta, it’s typically:

• 2:00 p.m. in Chicago
• 1:00 p.m. in Denver
• 12:00 p.m. in Los Angeles

Atlanta Time Compared to Other Countries

If you’re traveling to Atlanta from overseas or planning a call, knowing the time difference is essential.

General patterns (these can vary with each country’s daylight saving rules):

• London, UK

  • When London is on GMT and Atlanta is on EST: Atlanta is 5 hours behind
  • When London is on BST (summer) and Atlanta is on EDT: Atlanta is 5 hours behind

• Central Europe (e.g., Paris, Berlin)

  • Typically 6 hours ahead of Atlanta

• India (IST)

  • Usually 9.5 hours ahead of Atlanta when Atlanta is on EST
  • 9.5 hours ahead or 8.5 hours ahead depending on Atlanta’s DST and India’s fixed time

• Tokyo, Japan

  • Generally 13–14 hours ahead of Atlanta, depending on DST

To avoid confusion:

• Use your phone’s World Clock feature.
• Add “Atlanta” plus your home city to see both times side-by-side.

How to Check the Current Time in Atlanta (Reliably)

Because exact minutes and seconds change constantly, the best way to know the time now in Atlanta, USA is to use a device that syncs to an official time source.

Easy ways:

1. Smartphone settings

   • Turn on Automatic date & time and Automatic time zone.
   • If you’re not physically in Atlanta, add a World Clock entry for Atlanta or Eastern Time.

2. Computer

   • On most computers, you can:
     • Right-click the clock → adjust date/time → set time zone to Eastern Time (US & Canada).
     • Or add an additional clock labeled Atlanta.

3. Smart speakers & digital assistants

   • Ask:
     • “What time is it in Atlanta, Georgia?”

4. Television and cable/satellite boxes

   • If the receiver is registered to an Atlanta address, its displayed time usually follows local Atlanta time.

Why Knowing the Time in Atlanta Matters

For people who live in, visit, or work with Atlanta, accurate timekeeping matters for:

• Flights
  • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) lists arrivals and departures in local Atlanta time.
• Public transit and services
  • MARTA train and bus schedules operate on Eastern Time.
  • City and state offices, like the City of Atlanta and State of Georgia government offices, follow ET for business hours.
• Events and games
  • Atlanta Hawks (NBA), Atlanta Falcons (NFL), Atlanta Braves (MLB), and local concerts list start times in local Atlanta time.
• Court dates and appointments
  • Local courts and agencies in Fulton, DeKalb, and surrounding counties use Eastern Time for all schedules.

If you’re coming from another time zone, build in a little extra buffer on your first day to adjust to Atlanta’s time.

Typical Business and Office Hours in Atlanta (Local Time)

Most Atlanta schedules are built around Eastern Time. While each business may differ, here are common patterns:

• Government offices (city, county, state)

  • Often open Monday–Friday, roughly 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET

• Banks and financial institutions

  • Common hours: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET, weekdays

• Downtown and Midtown offices

  • Typical workday: 8:00–9:00 a.m. start, end around 5:00–6:00 p.m. ET

• Shops and restaurants

  • Many open around 10:00–11:00 a.m. and may stay open late, especially in Midtown, Buckhead, and Downtown.

Always confirm posted hours, especially around daylight saving changes or holidays.

Time and Public Services in Atlanta

If you need to reach a public-facing organization in Atlanta and want to be sure you’re calling at the right local time, remember everything runs on Eastern Time.

Here are a few examples of local references (hours can change; always confirm before going):

• City of Atlanta – City Hall

  • 55 Trinity Avenue SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • General business hours are typically aligned with standard office hours in Eastern Time.

• Fulton County Government Center (Downtown Atlanta)

  • 141 Pryor Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • County offices generally operate on a standard business-day schedule in Eastern Time.

• MARTA Customer Service (Atlanta transit)

  • Times for phone support and station services are based on Atlanta local time.
  • Schedules and first/last train times follow ET, so be sure your clock matches.

If you’re calling from another state or country, adjust for the time difference so you reach these services during their local business hours in Atlanta.

Practical Tips for Visitors Adjusting to Atlanta Time

If you’ve just flown into Atlanta from another time zone:

• Give yourself a buffer

  • Plan a lighter schedule on your first day, especially if you crossed multiple time zones.

• Sync alarms to Atlanta time

  • Set at least one alarm on a device that you know is on local Eastern Time, especially for early flights, court dates, or meetings.

• Check your calendar time zone

  • Many calendar apps let you set the time zone for each event.
  • Make sure events scheduled in Atlanta are set to Eastern Time, so they show correctly when you travel.

Quick Reference: Key Facts About Time in Atlanta

• City & State: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
• Time Zone:Eastern Time (ET)
• Standard Time: Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC−5)
• Daylight Saving Time: Eastern Daylight Time (EDT, UTC−4)
• DST Changes:
  • Starts: Second Sunday in March (clocks move forward 1 hour)
  • Ends: First Sunday in November (clocks move back 1 hour)
• Matches: New York, Miami, Washington, D.C., and much of the U.S. East Coast

To know the exact time now in Atlanta, USA, check a reliable clock or device set to Eastern Time (Atlanta, Georgia).