What time is it in Washington right now?
Current Washington time, America/New_York time zone (GMT-05:00), daylight saving status, and the live time difference with major world cities.
Saturday, November 7, 2026 · GMT-05:00 · Standard time
It is evening in Washington, United States. Time zone: America/New_York.
GMT-05:00
Not active
Federal offices typically 09:00–17:00, Monday to Friday; Congress and agencies follow the Eastern Time calendar.
Washington time difference with major cities
Live offset between Washington and key global cities. Values update automatically and account for daylight saving time on both sides.
| City | Local time | Difference vs Washington | Convert |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 22:01 | Same time | Washington to New York |
| London | 03:01 | +5h | Washington to London |
| Tokyo | 12:01 | +14h | Washington to Tokyo |
| Beijing | 11:01 | +13h | Washington to Beijing |
| Sydney | 14:01 | +16h | Washington to Sydney |
About time in Washington
Washington, D.C. keeps Eastern Time, sharing the same UTC-5/UTC-4 zone as New York, and its clock governs the schedule of the U.S. federal government. The city shifts between Eastern Standard Time and Eastern Daylight Time on the U.S. schedule, and because so much national and international policy is timed to Washington’s clock — congressional hearings, agency deadlines, press briefings, and treaty negotiations — an accurate Eastern Time reference here is essential for anyone engaging with the U.S. government. The federal workday typically runs 09:00 to 17:00, though Congress and the courts follow their own calendars, and the city’s business rhythm is shaped by the political cycle rather than the markets. Washington’s latitude near 38°N brings a noticeable seasonal daylight swing, which is why the DST switch is felt each spring and autumn. From the White House daily press briefing to Supreme Court arguments, Washington time ripples through diplomacy and policy, making it a key reference for government and legal coordination.
Location
Capital of the United States on the Potomac river between Maryland and Virginia, at about 38°N latitude.
Daylight saving rules
Observes U.S. daylight saving time: forward on the second Sunday of March (EST → EDT, UTC-5 → UTC-4), back on the first Sunday of November.
What Washington time is known for
- Federal government clock
- Congressional hearing schedule
- Eastern Time policy anchor
Common questions about Washington time
What time is it in Washington right now?
It is currently 22:01 in Washington (Saturday, November 7, 2026), which is GMT-05:00.
What time zone is Washington in?
Washington uses the America/New_York time zone, currently GMT-05:00. Washington observes daylight saving time, so the offset changes twice a year.
Does Washington observe daylight saving time?
Yes. Washington is currently on standard time. Observes U.S. daylight saving time: forward on the second Sunday of March (EST → EDT, UTC-5 → UTC-4), back on the first Sunday of November.
What is the time difference between Washington and New York?
Washington is Same time compared with New York. Check the table above for the live value, which can shift when either city changes its clocks.