EST to BST Converter
Convert time between Eastern Standard Time (EST) and British Summer Time (BST)
Eastern Standard Time (EST)
British Summer Time (BST)
Time Difference
British Summer Time (BST) is 0 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST)
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Select Time
Quick Reference
| EST | BST |
|---|---|
| 21:00 | 02:00 |
| 23:00 | 04:00 |
| 01:00 | 06:00 |
| 03:00 | 08:00 |
| 05:00 | 10:00 |
| 07:00 | 12:00 |
| 09:00 | 14:00 |
| 11:00 | 16:00 |
| 13:00 | 18:00 |
| 15:00 | 20:00 |
| 17:00 | 22:00 |
| 19:00 | 00:00 |
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 EST to BST Time Conversion
Eastern Standard Time (EST) is UTC-5 and is used across the Eastern United States. British Summer Time (BST) is UTC+1 and is used in the United Kingdom during daylight saving time (late March to late October). BST is 6 hours ahead of EST, making it one of the most significant time differences for transatlantic business coordination.
This conversion is essential for business coordination between the Eastern United States and the United Kingdom, as well as for international travel, financial market synchronization, and communication across the Atlantic. Understanding the time difference ensures accurate scheduling for business meetings, conference calls, and coordinated activities across these major financial and business hubs.
Common Use Cases for EST to BST Conversion
Business & Work
- Scheduling meetings between Eastern US offices and UK headquarters or operations
- Coordinating financial markets trading across US and UK stock exchanges
- Planning international conference calls and webinars for transatlantic teams
- Managing cross-border business operations with UK partners
Personal & Travel
- Coordinating with family and friends in the United Kingdom
- Planning travel to the UK from the Eastern US
- Scheduling international events with participants from both regions
- Understanding time differences for international communications
Time Zone Information
Eastern Standard Time (EST)
- UTC Offset: UTC-5 (UTC-4 during EDT)
- IANA Timezone: America/New_York
- Daylight Saving: Second Sunday in March to First Sunday in November
- Major Cities: New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Miami, Boston
- Coverage: Eastern United States and Canada
British Summer Time (BST)
- UTC Offset: UTC+1 (UTC+0 during GMT)
- IANA Timezone: Europe/London
- Daylight Saving: Last Sunday in March to Last Sunday in October
- Major Cities: London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol
- Coverage: United Kingdom and some European locations
Quick Reference: EST to BST
Remember: BST is 6 hours ahead of EST. Note that EST and BST have slightly different daylight saving transition dates, so the difference may temporarily be 5 or 7 hours during transition periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between EST and BST?
Eastern Standard Time (EST) is UTC-5, while British Summer Time (BST) is UTC+1. This means BST is 6 hours ahead of EST. When it's 10:00 AM in New York (EST), it's 4:00 PM in London (BST). Note that EST and BST have slightly different daylight saving transitions, so the difference can temporarily be 5 or 7 hours during these periods.
Why is the time difference 6 hours between EST and BST?
EST is UTC-5 (Eastern US standard time) and BST is UTC+1 (UK daylight saving time). The difference of 6 hours reflects the geographic separation between the two regions. The UK is about 6 time zones east of the Eastern US. Both regions observe daylight saving time, but on slightly different schedules, which can temporarily create 5 or 7-hour differences during transition weeks.
What are the best times for transatlantic meetings?
Finding a good meeting time across the Atlantic can be challenging due to the 6-hour difference. Generally, 9-11 AM EST (3-5 PM BST) works for Eastern morning and UK late afternoon meetings. Alternatively, 3-4 PM EST (9-10 PM BST) allows Eastern afternoon meetings with UK evening participation. The best times minimize burden on both time zones while accommodating standard business hours.
How do daylight saving transitions affect EST to BST conversion?
EST and BST transition on different dates. The UK typically transitions one week before the US in spring (late March vs. mid-March) and one week after in fall (late October vs. early November). This creates temporary periods where the difference is 5 hours (when one region has transitioned and the other hasn't) or 7 hours (during transition weeks). Always verify the current difference during March and October.
Is EST to BST important for financial markets?
Yes, the EST to BST conversion is critical for financial markets. The NYSE and London Stock Exchange overlap during part of their trading days. Understanding the time difference is essential for traders, investors, and financial professionals coordinating activities across both exchanges. Market open/close times in one location correspond to specific times in the other, making accurate conversion vital for financial operations.
What about GMT to EDT conversion during winter?
During winter months (November-March), the UK observes Greenwich Mean Time (GMT, UTC+0) instead of BST, while the US observes EST (UTC-5). This creates a 5-hour difference instead of 6. When the US transitions to EDT (UTC-4) in mid-March, the difference becomes 5 hours until the UK transitions to BST (UTC+1) in late March, then becomes 5 hours again. Always verify the exact difference for winter meetings.
Pro Tips
- • BST is 6 hours ahead of EST. Use this quick calculation: subtract 6 hours from EST to get BST, or add 6 hours to BST to get EST.
- • For transatlantic business calls, 9-10 AM EST (3-4 PM BST) is often the sweet spot for both regions to meet during reasonable hours.
- • Financial traders must pay close attention to EST to BST conversion due to stock market overlap. NYSE opens at 9:30 AM EST (2:30 PM BST).
- • Daylight saving transitions happen on different dates in the US and UK. During transition weeks (late March and late October), verify the exact time difference.
- • London is a major financial hub with many Eastern US companies having UK operations. Understanding the time zone is essential for international business.
- • Use the late afternoon EST window (4-5 PM) for important transatlantic meetings as it corresponds to reasonable evening time (10-11 PM) in London.
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