AST to AKST Converter
Convert time between Atlantic Standard Time (AST) and Alaska Standard Time (AKST)
Atlantic Standard Time (AST)
Alaska Standard Time (AKST)
Time Difference
Alaska Standard Time (AKST) is 0 hours ahead of Atlantic Standard Time (AST)
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Select Time
Quick Reference
| AST | AKST |
|---|---|
| 22:00 | 17:00 |
| 00:00 | 19:00 |
| 02:00 | 21:00 |
| 04:00 | 23:00 |
| 06:00 | 01:00 |
| 08:00 | 03:00 |
| 10:00 | 05:00 |
| 12:00 | 07:00 |
| 14:00 | 09:00 |
| 16:00 | 11:00 |
| 18:00 | 13:00 |
| 20:00 | 15:00 |
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 AST to AKST Time Conversion
Converting time between Atlantic Standard Time (AST) and Alaska Standard Time (AKST) is essential for coordinating between Atlantic Canada and Alaska. AST is UTC-4 (the standard time in Atlantic Canada, used November to March), while AKST is UTC-9 (Alaska's year-round standard time). AST is 5 hours ahead of AKST, making it one of the largest time differences within North America.
Alaska's unique position is that it does not observe daylight saving time, remaining on AKST (UTC-9) year-round. This means the time difference varies seasonally: from November to March (winter), AST and AKST have a 5-hour difference. From March to November, when Atlantic Canada switches to Atlantic Daylight Time (ADT, UTC-3), the difference reduces to 4 hours. Understanding this variation is crucial for scheduling across these distant regions, particularly for businesses in resource extraction, tourism, and transportation sectors.
Common Use Cases for AST to AKST Conversion
Business & Work
- Scheduling meetings between Atlantic Canada and Alaska operations
- Coordinating oil and gas projects across Atlantic and Alaska regions
- Managing fishing and maritime industry coordination
- Planning conference calls for cross-regional business partners
Personal & Travel
- Planning travel from Atlantic Canada to Alaska
- Coordinating with family and friends in Alaska
- Scheduling online collaboration with Alaska-based colleagues
- Understanding time differences for remote work opportunities
Time Zone Information
Atlantic Standard Time (AST)
- UTC Offset: UTC-4 (UTC-3 during ADT)
- IANA Timezone: America/Halifax
- Daylight Saving: Transitions to ADT (UTC-3) on second Sunday in March
- Major Cities: Halifax, Saint John, Charlottetown, Fredericton
- Coverage: Atlantic Canada (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island)
Alaska Standard Time (AKST)
- UTC Offset: UTC-9 (year-round, no daylight saving)
- IANA Timezone: America/Anchorage
- Daylight Saving: None - Alaska does not observe daylight saving time
- Major Cities: Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks, Ketchikan
- Coverage: Most of Alaska
Quick Reference: AST to AKST
Remember: AST is 5 hours ahead of AKST in winter (November-March). When Atlantic Canada switches to ADT in spring, the difference becomes 4 hours. Alaska does not observe daylight saving time, making it unique among US regions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between AST and AKST?
Atlantic Standard Time (AST) is UTC-4, while Alaska Standard Time (AKST) is UTC-9. This creates a 5-hour time difference, with Alaska being behind Atlantic Canada. When it's 12:00 PM (noon) in Halifax (AST), it's 7:00 AM in Anchorage (AKST). This significant offset reflects Alaska's western geographic position and unique timezone location.
How does daylight saving time affect AST to AKST conversion?
Atlantic Canada transitions to Atlantic Daylight Time (ADT, UTC-3) in spring, while most of Alaska remains on AKST year-round (Alaska does not observe daylight saving time). This means the time difference varies: from November to March, AST and AKST have a 5-hour difference. From March to November, ADT and AKST have a 4-hour difference. Alaska's lack of daylight saving makes it unique among major US regions and simplifies year-round planning.
When is AST to AKST conversion most relevant?
The AST-AKST conversion is most relevant for business coordination between Atlantic Canada and Alaska, including resource extraction, tourism, and tech sectors. The 4-5 hour difference requires careful scheduling. Early morning meetings in Halifax (8-9 AM AST) align with late evening in Anchorage (3-4 AM AKST), making real-time coordination challenging. Best coordination windows are limited and require strategic planning.
What are the best times to schedule calls between Atlantic Canada and Alaska?
Due to the 4-5 hour difference, scheduling requires compromise. Late afternoon in Halifax (4-5 PM AST/ADT) aligns with late morning in Anchorage (11 AM-12 PM AKST). Alternatively, early morning in Halifax (8-9 AM AST/ADT) corresponds to late evening previous day in Alaska (3-4 PM AKST). Neither is ideal, making asynchronous communication often preferable for non-urgent matters.
How does Alaska's lack of daylight saving affect scheduling?
Alaska's decision to remain on standard time year-round (AKST, no daylight saving transition) simplifies long-term planning with Atlantic Canada. While the 4-hour difference (ADT to AKST) from spring to fall is more favorable than the 5-hour winter difference (AST to AKST), there's no additional confusion from Alaska shifting its UTC offset twice yearly. This consistency is valuable for recurring meetings and annual planning.
Why is Atlantic-Alaska coordination significant?
Atlantic Canada and Alaska share important economic sectors including oil & gas, mining, fishing, and tourism. Both regions have developed infrastructure and expertise in remote operations and resource management. The challenging timezone difference (4-5 hours) is offset by the strategic importance of direct coordination in these sectors. Understanding the timezone relationship is crucial for companies operating across both regions.
Pro Tips
- • AST to AKST creates a 5-hour time difference (winter) or 4-hour difference (summer/spring). Alaska remains on standard time year-round.
- • Early morning calls from Halifax (8 AM AST) reach Alaska late evening previous day (3 PM AKST). Plan accordingly for critical discussions.
- • Late afternoon calls from Halifax (4-5 PM AST/ADT) reach Alaska late morning/noon (11 AM-12 PM AKST). This is often the best overlap window.
- • Document all times in both AST/ADT and AKST clearly - the significant offset increases scheduling errors without explicit timezone notation.
- • Consider asynchronous communication (email, recorded updates) for non-urgent matters. The timezone gap makes real-time discussion less practical.
- • Remember: Alaska does not observe daylight saving. Mark transition dates when Atlantic switches to/from daylight time (second Sunday March, first Sunday November).
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