AKST to EST Converter
Convert time between Alaska Standard Time (AKST) and Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Alaska Standard Time (AKST)
Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Time Difference
Eastern Standard Time (EST) is 0 hours ahead of Alaska Standard Time (AKST)
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Select Time
Quick Reference
| AKST | EST |
|---|---|
| 17:00 | 21:00 |
| 19:00 | 23:00 |
| 21:00 | 01:00 |
| 23:00 | 03:00 |
| 01:00 | 05:00 |
| 03:00 | 07:00 |
| 05:00 | 09:00 |
| 07:00 | 11:00 |
| 09:00 | 13:00 |
| 11:00 | 15:00 |
| 13:00 | 17:00 |
| 15:00 | 19:00 |
Top 10 Most Common Time Zones
| Abbreviation | Full Name | UTC Offset | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| UTC | Coordinated Universal Time | UTC ±0 | Global reference standard (servers, logs, APIs) |
| EST / EDT | Eastern (US) Time | UTC −5 / −4 | New York, Toronto — North American business hub |
| CST / CDT | Central (US) Time | UTC −6 / −5 | Chicago, Dallas — US central business region |
| PST / PDT | Pacific (US) Time | UTC −8 / −7 | San Francisco, Los Angeles — tech industry standard |
| GMT / BST | Greenwich Mean / British Summer Time | UTC 0 / +1 | UK, used globally as a reference with UTC |
| CET / CEST | Central European (Summer) Time | UTC +1 / +2 | Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam — EU business core |
| IST | India Standard Time | UTC +5:30 | India — major IT & outsourcing region |
| CST | China Standard Time | UTC +8 | Beijing, Shanghai — East Asia business hub |
| JST | Japan Standard Time | UTC +9 | Tokyo — finance & tech hub |
| AEST / AEDT | Australian Eastern (Daylight) Time | UTC +10 / +11 | Sydney, Melbourne — APAC regional business |
Why Time Zone Abbreviations Are Ambiguous
Unlike standardized identifiers (like America/New_York or Europe/London from the IANA tz database), abbreviations such as "CST" or "IST" are not globally unique. They can refer to different time zones depending on context — country, region, or even time of year (due to daylight saving time).
Common Ambiguous Time Zone Abbreviations
| Abbrev. | Common Meaning(s) | UTC Offset | Region(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CST | Central Standard Time / China Standard Time / Cuba Standard Time | UTC−6 / UTC+8 / UTC−5 | North America, China, Cuba |
| IST | Indian Standard Time / Irish Standard Time / Israel Standard Time | UTC+5:30 / UTC+1 / UTC+2 | India, Ireland, Israel |
| AST | Atlantic Standard Time / Arabia Standard Time | UTC−4 / UTC+3 | Caribbean, Canada, Middle East |
| PST | Pacific Standard Time / Philippine Standard Time | UTC−8 / UTC+8 | North America, Philippines |
| EST | Eastern Standard Time (North America / Australia) | UTC−5 / UTC+10 | North America, Australia |
✅ Best Practice
To avoid ambiguity, always:
- Use IANA tz identifiers — e.g.,
America/New_Yorkinstead of "EST" - Specify UTC offset explicitly — e.g.,
UTC−5when abbreviations must be used - Include the full timezone name — e.g., "Eastern Standard Time (EST)" with UTC offset
Related Time Zone Conversions
About AKST to EST Time Conversion
Converting time between Alaska Standard Time (AKST) and Eastern Standard Time (EST) is essential for coordinating between Alaska and the US East Coast. AKST is UTC-9 while EST is UTC-5, making EST 4 hours ahead of AKST. This conversion applies during winter months (November to March) when both regions are on standard time, not daylight saving time.
This conversion is crucial for business operations between Alaska and East Coast cities like New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and Miami. Whether you're scheduling meetings between Anchorage and East Coast headquarters, coordinating business operations, managing customer service, or planning travel, our accurate IANA-based converter ensures precise timezone calculations. During spring and summer months (March to November), when both regions transition to daylight time (AKDT and EDT), the difference increases to 5 hours, making this pairing more complex during daylight hours but important for year-round Alaska-East Coast coordination.
Common Use Cases for AKST to EST Conversion
Business & Work
- Scheduling Alaska to East Coast business meetings
- Coordinating between Anchorage and New York/Boston headquarters
- Managing business operations across Alaska and the Eastern United States
- Planning conference calls between Alaska and East Coast teams
Personal & Travel
- Coordinating with family and friends on the US East Coast
- Planning travel between Alaska and East Coast destinations
- Scheduling virtual events for Alaska-East Coast audiences
- Arranging online meetings with East Coast-based colleagues
Time Zone Information
Alaska Standard Time (AKST)
- UTC Offset: UTC-9
- IANA Timezone: America/Anchorage
- Daylight Saving: Standard time (first Sunday in November to second Sunday in March)
- Major Cities: Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka
- Coverage: Alaska (winter months)
Eastern Standard Time (EST)
- UTC Offset: UTC-5
- IANA Timezone: America/New_York
- Daylight Saving: Standard time (first Sunday in November to second Sunday in March)
- Major Cities: New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Miami, Washington D.C.
- Coverage: Eastern United States and Canada (winter months)
Quick Reference: AKST to EST
Remember: EST is always 4 hours ahead of AKST during winter months (November-March). When both regions transition to daylight time (AKDT and EDT in spring), the difference increases to 5 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between AKST and EST?
Alaska Standard Time (AKST) is UTC-9, while Eastern Standard Time (EST) is UTC-5. This means EST is 4 hours ahead of AKST. When it's 8:00 AM in Anchorage (AKST), it's 12:00 PM (noon) in New York (EST).
Does this difference change throughout the year?
Yes, it changes significantly depending on daylight saving time. During winter months (November to March), both regions are on standard time, maintaining a 4-hour difference. However, when both transition to daylight time (AKDT and EDT in spring), the difference increases to 5 hours, which lasts from mid-March to early November.
When do daylight saving time transitions occur?
Both Alaska and the East Coast follow the same daylight saving schedule: the transition to daylight time occurs on the second Sunday in March, and the transition back to standard time occurs on the first Sunday in November. You'll need to adjust your calculations by 1 hour on these dates each year.
What are the best times to schedule meetings between Alaska and the East Coast?
With a 4-hour difference in winter, early morning Alaska time (7-8 AM AKST) aligns with late morning East Coast time (11 AM-12 PM EST), which works well for business discussions. The difference increases to 5 hours during daylight saving months (mid-March to early November), making coordination more challenging. Early morning remains the best option year-round.
Which major cities are in these timezones?
AKST covers Alaska's major cities including Anchorage (largest city), Fairbanks, Juneau (capital), Ketchikan, and Sitka. EST covers major East Coast cities including New York (New York), Boston (Massachusetts), Philadelphia (Pennsylvania), Atlanta (Georgia), Miami (Florida), and Washington D.C.
Why is AKST to EST coordination one of the most challenging Alaska-US pairings?
The AKST to EST pairing is challenging because the difference varies between 4 and 5 hours throughout the year. The 4-hour winter difference and 5-hour summer difference make it difficult to establish consistent meeting times. Additionally, Alaska and the East Coast are geographically the furthest apart on the mainland US, exacerbating the coordination challenges for businesses operating in both regions.
Pro Tips
- • The 4-hour AKST to EST difference is one of the largest Alaska-US regional pairings. Mark your calendar for DST transitions (second Sunday in March and first Sunday in November) to remember when the difference changes from 4 to 5 hours and back.
- • Early morning is essential for Alaska-East Coast meetings. An 8 AM AKST call is 12 PM (noon) EST - perfect for coordinating after East Coast morning work. A 7 AM AKST call is 11 AM EST, also within productive business hours.
- • Mental math for AKST to EST: add 4 hours to AKST times during winter months. A 10 AM AKST meeting in winter is 2 PM EST, a 2 PM AKST meeting is 6 PM EST. During daylight hours, add 5 hours instead.
- • The 4-hour difference makes afternoon Alaska time very late on the East Coast. A 3 PM AKST meeting is 7 PM EST (too late for most). Plan recurring meetings in the early morning Alaska slot (7-9 AM AKST) for consistency.
- • For video calls, avoid meeting times after 10 AM AKST during winter, as that translates to 2 PM or later EST. The best call windows are 7-10 AM AKST (11 AM-2 PM EST) for both regions to be alert.
- • When planning annual meetings between Alaska and East Coast offices, always schedule during winter months when the 4-hour difference applies, rather than summer when the 5-hour gap is even more challenging.
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