Atlanta, Georgia Time Zone: What It Is and How It Works

If you live in Atlanta, commute into the city, or you’re planning a visit, it helps to know exactly what time zone Atlanta, Georgia is in and how it changes throughout the year.

In short: Atlanta, Georgia is in the Eastern Time Zone (ET) and observes Daylight Saving Time (DST).

Atlanta’s Official Time Zone

Atlanta follows:

• Standard time name: Eastern Standard Time (EST)
• Daylight time name: Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
• Time zone abbreviation used generally:ET (Eastern Time)
• Standard time offset from Coordinated Universal Time (UTC):UTC−5
• Daylight time offset from UTC:UTC−4

Quick Reference: Atlanta Time vs. UTC

Most people and businesses in Atlanta simply say “Eastern Time” or “Atlanta time” unless they specifically need to distinguish EST from EDT.

When Does Atlanta Change Clocks?

Atlanta observes Daylight Saving Time just like the rest of Georgia and most U.S. states.

• ⏰ Clocks “spring forward”

  • When: Second Sunday in March
  • Change: 2:00 AM becomes 3:00 AM
  • Result: Atlanta moves from EST (UTC−5) to EDT (UTC−4)

• ⏰ Clocks “fall back”

  • When: First Sunday in November
  • Change: 2:00 AM becomes 1:00 AM
  • Result: Atlanta moves from EDT (UTC−4) to EST (UTC−5)

If you are flying in or out of Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, riding MARTA, or attending events downtown, be especially careful on those two weekends. Early-morning flights, trains, and races (like marathons or charity runs) may feel an hour earlier or later than you expect.

How Atlanta Time Compares to Other Places

Here’s how Atlanta time typically lines up with a few key regions:

• New York, Washington, D.C., Miami

  • Same time zone (Eastern Time).
  • When it’s 3:00 PM in Atlanta, it’s 3:00 PM in these cities.

• Chicago, Dallas (Central Time)

  • Usually 1 hour behind Atlanta.
  • When it’s 3:00 PM in Atlanta, it’s 2:00 PM in Chicago.

• Denver (Mountain Time)

  • Usually 2 hours behind Atlanta.

• Los Angeles, Seattle (Pacific Time)

  • Usually 3 hours behind Atlanta.
  • A 9:00 AM Atlanta meeting is a 6:00 AM call in Los Angeles.

• London (UK)

  • During Atlanta’s standard time (EST): usually 5 hours ahead.
  • During Atlanta’s daylight time (EDT): usually 4 hours ahead.

If you work remotely with people in other time zones or schedule virtual meetings, it’s safest to share times as “Eastern Time (Atlanta)” and let others convert to their local time.

How to Check the Current Time in Atlanta

If you’re unsure whether Atlanta is on EST or EDT right now, or you just want reassurance about the current local time, you have several options:

1. Your Phone or Computer

Most smartphones and computers automatically set the correct local time when Location Services or automatic time zone is enabled.

• On a mobile device, set time zone to “Automatic” or choose “Eastern Time (US & Canada)”.
• On a laptop or desktop, selecting Atlanta, GA, Eastern Time, or US Eastern usually keeps you synced with local time changes.

2. Local TV and Radio Stations

Atlanta stations (such as local news channels and radio) always operate on official Atlanta time, switching with Daylight Saving Time. If you see or hear local broadcast schedules, those times are in Eastern Time, matching the city clock.

3. Official and Government Offices

Atlanta-area government offices and public agencies all use Eastern Time:

• City of Atlanta government offices (for example, Atlanta City Hall at 55 Trinity Ave SW)
• Fulton County Government offices
• Georgia State Capitol in downtown Atlanta

Office hours posted by these entities always reflect local Atlanta time.

Time Zone Details for Travelers to Atlanta

If you’re flying into Atlanta, especially from another time zone or another country, understanding how local time works can help reduce confusion.

At the Airport

• Airport: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• Official airport time:Eastern Time (ET)
• Flight boards and tickets: All scheduled arrival and departure times at ATL are listed in local Atlanta time, not your home time zone.

✈️ Tip: If your itinerary includes multiple time zones, check each airport’s local time zone and confirm whether Daylight Saving Time is in effect in Atlanta on your travel date.

Public Transit and Events

• MARTA trains and buses, as well as ATL SkyTrain and other airport-connected services, run on Eastern Time.
• Major venues like State Farm Arena, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Fox Theatre, Alliance Theatre, and local colleges (Georgia State University, Georgia Tech) all schedule events according to Atlanta’s local time.

If you are traveling from a different time zone to attend a concert, conference, or game, always convert the event time to Eastern Time (Atlanta).

Using Atlanta Time for Business and Remote Work

Many remote workers and companies use Atlanta time as their standard working clock, especially when teams are spread across states.

Here are a few common practices:

• Calendar invitations are typically created in Eastern Time, and calendar apps adjust to each person’s local time automatically.
• Businesses often say “9 to 5 Eastern” or “support hours: 8 AM–6 PM ET,” which for local Atlanta residents is simply 9–5 or 8–6.
• If you work with international partners, it can help to mention, for example, “Atlanta, Georgia time (U.S. Eastern)” so they know which Eastern Time you mean.

🗓 Practical tip: When scheduling important calls or interviews from Atlanta, include both your time and a reference like “Eastern Time (Atlanta)” so there’s no confusion.

Daylight Saving Time in Atlanta: What It Means for Daily Life

Daylight Saving Time in Atlanta mostly affects:

• Morning & evening daylight
  • In summer, sunrise and sunset are later by the clock, giving lighter evenings.
• Commute and school schedules
  • School start times and rush hour remain the same by the clock, but it may be darker or lighter outside depending on the season.
• Shift workers and travelers
  • Night-shift workers, early morning travelers, and those working across time zones feel the change most.

You don’t need to apply for anything or sign up; the entire Atlanta area changes time automatically on the standard U.S. DST schedule.

Most modern devices (phones, smartwatches, laptops, smart speakers, car navigation systems) update automatically in Atlanta, as long as:

• Time zone is set to Eastern Time (US & Canada) or Automatic, and
• Daylight Saving Time adjustments are turned on (if that setting exists).

Common Questions About Atlanta’s Time Zone

Is all of Georgia in the same time zone as Atlanta?

Yes. The entire state of Georgia uses the Eastern Time Zone. Whether you are in midtown Atlanta, Buckhead, Decatur, Marietta, or Savannah, the official time is the same.

Does Atlanta ever use Central Time?

No. Atlanta does not use Central Time.
However, some nearby states and cities to the west (like parts of Alabama) are in Central Time, which is usually one hour behind Atlanta.

Does Atlanta ever stop using Daylight Saving Time?

As of now, Atlanta follows the same Daylight Saving Time rules every year, matching the broader U.S. schedule. Any change to that would be decided at the state and federal levels and would apply to the entire region, not just the city.

Key Takeaways: Atlanta, Georgia Time Zone

• Atlanta is in the Eastern Time Zone (ET).
• Uses Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC−5) in fall and winter.
• Uses Eastern Daylight Time (EDT, UTC−4) in spring and summer.
• Daylight Saving Time starts the second Sunday in March and ends the first Sunday in November.
• All local services—airports, transit, schools, city offices, and events—run on Atlanta’s local Eastern Time.

If you set your devices to Eastern Time (US & Canada) and keep automatic updates on, you’ll stay synced with the correct local time in Atlanta, Georgia all year long.