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

If you’re trying to figure out what the current time is in Atlanta, Georgia, the most important thing to know is this:

Because this page can’t update every second, you’ll want to check a live source (your phone, computer, TV, or a smart speaker) for the exact current time. But this guide will help you quickly work out what time it is in Atlanta and how it compares to other places.

Atlanta’s Time Zone Basics

Atlanta is on Eastern Time

Atlanta follows the Eastern Time Zone, the same as cities like New York, Washington, D.C., and Miami.

Atlanta uses:

• Eastern Standard Time (EST): UTC−5
• Eastern Daylight Time (EDT): UTC−4 (during daylight saving time)

In everyday life, people in Atlanta usually just say “Eastern Time” (ET).

Does Atlanta Use Daylight Saving Time?

Yes. Atlanta observes daylight saving time (DST), just like most of the United States.

Here’s how it works:

• ⏰ Second Sunday in March
  Clocks “spring forward” 1 hour

  • 2:00 a.m. becomes 3:00 a.m.
  • Time zone becomes EDT (UTC−4)

• ⏰ First Sunday in November
  Clocks “fall back” 1 hour

  • 2:00 a.m. becomes 1:00 a.m.
  • Time zone returns to EST (UTC−5)

If you’re in Atlanta:

• In spring and summer, you’re usually on EDT.
• In fall and winter, you’re usually on EST.

Quick Reference: Atlanta Time at a Glance

You can use this quick chart to understand Atlanta’s local time in relation to well-known places:

*Differences assume both places are in their usual daylight or standard time and can shift slightly when one region changes clocks before the other.

How to Check the Exact Current Time in Atlanta

Because time changes every second, the most accurate way to know the current time in Atlanta is to use a live clock. Here are reliable options that work well for locals and visitors:

1. Your Smartphone

Most phones automatically adjust to Atlanta’s local time when you’re in the city.

• On iPhone (iOS):

  • Go to Settings → General → Date & Time
  • Turn on Set Automatically
  • Make sure the Time Zone shows Atlanta or Eastern Time

• On Android (steps may vary slightly):

  • Go to Settings → System → Date & Time
  • Turn on Automatic date & time and Automatic time zone

If you just landed at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), give your phone a moment to update.

2. Your Computer or Laptop

• On Windows:
  • Right-click the clock → Adjust date and time
  • Set time zone to (UTC−05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
• On macOS:
  • System Settings → Date & Time → Time Zone
  • Enable Set time zone automatically using current location, or pick Atlanta / Eastern Time

3. Smart Speakers and Digital Assistants

You can ask:

• “What time is it in Atlanta, Georgia?”
  on most smart speakers or digital assistants.

These tools will give you the current local time based on official time servers.

Knowing the Time in Atlanta for Travel and Events

Connecting Flights Through Atlanta

If you’re flying through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, all boarding times, gate times, and schedules are posted in local Atlanta time (ET).

Before travel:

• Double-check whether your home city is ahead or behind Atlanta.
• Make sure your airline app is set to show times in local time so you’re not an hour early or late.

TV, Sports, and Concerts in Atlanta

Most event listings in Atlanta use Eastern Time. If you’re watching or attending:

• Atlanta Braves at Truist Park
• Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta United, or a concert downtown

…the start time printed on tickets and websites is the local Atlanta time.
If you’re watching from another time zone, remember to adjust:

• Central Time (e.g., Dallas): 1 hour earlier
• Mountain Time (e.g., Denver): 2 hours earlier
• Pacific Time (e.g., Los Angeles): 3 hours earlier

Atlanta Time vs. Other U.S. Time Zones

If you live outside Georgia and are trying to schedule a call or visit with someone in Atlanta, use these simple rules:

• From Central Time (CT) – e.g., Alabama, parts of Tennessee, Texas
  • Atlanta is 1 hour ahead.
• From Mountain Time (MT) – e.g., Colorado, Utah
  • Atlanta is 2 hours ahead.
• From Pacific Time (PT) – e.g., California, Washington
  • Atlanta is 3 hours ahead.

So if it’s:

• 10:00 a.m. in Los Angeles (PT) → it’s 1:00 p.m. in Atlanta (ET)
• 4:00 p.m. in Chicago (CT) → it’s 5:00 p.m. in Atlanta (ET)

Atlanta Time and International Calls

If you’re in Atlanta and coordinating with people overseas, keep in mind:

• Western Europe (e.g., London): usually 5 hours ahead of Atlanta
• Central Europe (e.g., Berlin, Paris): usually 6 hours ahead
• India (e.g., New Delhi): usually 9.5 hours ahead
• Japan (e.g., Tokyo): usually 13–14 hours ahead

Because countries change clocks on different dates—or sometimes not at all—the time gap can shift by an hour during certain weeks of the year. When timing is critical, use a world clock app and set one city to Atlanta.

Local Daily Life: When Atlanta Wakes Up and Winds Down

While everyone’s schedule is different, people in Atlanta commonly follow patterns that depend on local time:

• Morning rush hour: roughly 7:00–9:00 a.m. ET on major roads like I‑75, I‑85, I‑285, and the Downtown Connector
• Typical business hours: about 8:00 or 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 or 6:00 p.m. ET
• Government offices (such as City of Atlanta departments or Fulton County offices): generally open during standard business hours in Eastern Time
• MARTA trains and buses follow schedules posted in local Atlanta time, helpful if you’re commuting or heading to events

When you see signs or schedules in the city, you can safely assume they’re based on the current time in Atlanta’s Eastern Time Zone.

Why Atlanta Time Matters for Official Services

If you’re dealing with deadlines or appointments connected to Atlanta, timing is important. Here are a few examples:

• Court appearances in Fulton County, DeKalb County, or City of Atlanta Municipal Court all use local Eastern Time.
• Appointments at city offices or state agencies in Atlanta (such as driver services or public records) are set in Atlanta local time.
• School start times in Atlanta Public Schools and nearby districts are scheduled by Atlanta’s Eastern Time, which is especially important for families new to the area or moving from another time zone.

When in doubt, assume the time given is Atlanta’s current local time unless clearly stated otherwise.

Simple Tips to Avoid Time Confusion in Atlanta

A few quick habits can help keep you on track:

• ✅ Let your devices auto-update. Keep automatic time and time zone settings turned on.
• ✅ Check whether daylight saving time is active. In summer, Atlanta is on EDT; in winter, it’s on EST.
• ✅ Use a world clock app if you frequently call or work with people in other time zones.
• ✅ Confirm time zones for virtual meetings. If someone sends a meeting invite from another city, make sure it shows correctly in Eastern Time on your calendar.

In summary, the current time in Atlanta, Georgia, is whatever the Eastern Time Zone (ET) is right now, adjusted for standard or daylight saving time. For the exact hour and minute, check a live device set to Atlanta / Eastern Time, and you’ll be perfectly aligned with local time in the city.