Time Zone Converter

Time zones are defined by their offset from Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). For example, EST is UTC-5, meaning Eastern Standard Time is 5 hours behind UTC. To convert between two time zones, calculate the difference in their UTC offsets and add or subtract that from the original time.

EST (Eastern Standard Time) is UTC-5 and is used during fall and winter. EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) is UTC-4 and is used during spring and summer when daylight saving time is in effect. This converter uses standard time offsets, so adjust by one hour during daylight saving time if applicable.

UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) and GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) are effectively the same for most practical purposes, both representing the time at the Prime Meridian with zero offset. UTC is the modern standard used for international time coordination, while GMT is the historical term.

Some time zones have half-hour or even 45-minute offsets from UTC. For example, India Standard Time (IST) is UTC+5:30. This converter supports these fractional offsets and correctly calculates conversions involving them.