MSK to AKST Converter
Convert time between Moscow Standard Time (MSK) and Alaska Standard Time (AKST)
Moscow Standard Time (MSK)
Alaska Standard Time (AKST)
Time Difference
Alaska Standard Time (AKST) is 0 hours ahead of Moscow Standard Time (MSK)
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Select Time
Quick Reference
| MSK | AKST |
|---|---|
| 05:00 | 17:00 |
| 07:00 | 19:00 |
| 09:00 | 21:00 |
| 11:00 | 23:00 |
| 13:00 | 01:00 |
| 15:00 | 03:00 |
| 17:00 | 05:00 |
| 19:00 | 07:00 |
| 21:00 | 09:00 |
| 23:00 | 11:00 |
| 01:00 | 13:00 |
| 03:00 | 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 MSK to AKST Time Conversion
Converting time between Moscow Standard Time (MSK) and Alaska Standard Time (AKST) is essential for coordinating between Russia and Alaska during winter months. MSK is UTC+3 (consistent year-round, no daylight saving time), while AKST is UTC-9 (observed during winter, November to March). MSK is 12 hours ahead of AKST.
This conversion is important for Russian companies coordinating with Alaskan offices in Anchorage, Juneau, and other major cities during winter months. The substantial 12-hour time offset requires strategic scheduling, but understanding this gap is crucial for international business operations. Oil and gas companies, shipping firms, and enterprises with Pacific region operations bridging Russia and Alaska rely on accurate time conversions for managing projects and coordination during the winter season.
Common Use Cases for MSK to AKST Conversion
Business & Work
- Scheduling calls between Moscow offices and Anchorage headquarters during winter months
- Coordinating oil and gas operations across Russia and Alaska during winter season
- Managing business process outsourcing operations with Alaskan clients during standard time period
- Planning conference calls for shipping and logistics coordination
Personal & Travel
- Coordinating with family and friends in Alaska during winter months
- Planning travel between Russia and Alaska destinations during winter
- Scheduling virtual meetings with Alaskan relatives or business partners
- Arranging online collaboration with Alaska-based colleagues during winter season
Time Zone Information
Moscow Standard Time (MSK)
- UTC Offset: UTC+3
- IANA Timezone: Europe/Moscow
- Daylight Saving: No daylight saving time (consistent year-round)
- Major Cities: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Vladivostok
- Coverage: Moscow and most of western Russia (single timezone covering Moscow region)
Alaska Standard Time (AKST)
- UTC Offset: UTC-9
- IANA Timezone: America/Anchorage
- Daylight Saving: Daylight saving time ends (first Sunday in November to second Sunday in March)
- Major Cities: Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks, Ketchikan, Palmer
- Coverage: Alaska (winter months)
Quick Reference: MSK to AKST
Remember: MSK is always 12 hours ahead of AKST during winter. When AKST transitions to AKDT in March (second Sunday), the difference becomes 11 hours until November.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between MSK and AKST?
Moscow Standard Time (MSK) is UTC+3, while Alaska Standard Time (AKST) is UTC-9. This means MSK is 12 hours ahead of AKST. When it's 12:00 AM (midnight) in Anchorage (AKST), it's 12:00 PM (noon) the same day in Moscow (MSK).
How does the MSK to AKST offset differ from MSK to AKDT?
AKDT is 1 hour ahead of AKST. Since MSK is 12 hours ahead of AKST, it is 11 hours ahead of AKDT. During winter months when AKST is active, you get the full 12-hour offset compared to the 11-hour summer offset.
Does Russia observe daylight saving time like AKST does?
No, Russia does not observe daylight saving time. Moscow Standard Time remains UTC+3 throughout the year. This means MSK is consistently 12 hours ahead of AKST (November-March) and 11 hours ahead of AKDT (March-November).
When does the time difference change from 12 to 11 hours?
The difference changes on the second Sunday in March when Alaska Standard Time (AKST) ends and Alaska Daylight Time (AKDT) begins. From March to November, the difference is 11 hours. From November to March (when AKST is active), the difference is 12 hours.
What are the best times to schedule calls between Russia and Alaska during winter?
With a 12-hour time offset, scheduling overlap is limited. Late evening in Moscow (9-11 PM MSK) aligns with early morning Alaska (9-11 AM AKST), creating the best meeting window. Alternatively, early morning Moscow (6-8 AM MSK) aligns with evening Alaska (6-8 PM AKST). These windows provide the optimal coordination times during winter.
How does daylight saving time affect Russia-Alaska coordination?
Russia does not observe daylight saving time, so only Alaska time changes. When AKDT begins in March, the offset with Moscow decreases by 1 hour (from 12 to 11 hours). When AKDT ends in November, the offset increases back to 12 hours. Plan your scheduling accordingly during these transitions.
Pro Tips
- • The 12-hour offset during AKST (winter) makes Russia-Alaska coordination challenging but manageable. Schedule critical meetings during the optimal 9-11 AM AKST window (9-11 PM MSK).
- • Evening Moscow time (9-11 PM MSK) aligns well with early morning Alaska (9-11 AM AKST), creating ideal overlap for both regions during winter standard time period.
- • Alaska transitions to AKDT on the second Sunday in March, reducing the offset from 12 to 11 hours. Note this transition for meeting schedule adjustments.
- • The 12-hour offset during AKST makes scheduling difficult, but it also means some hours provide good overlap. Take advantage of the 9-11 AM AKST window for important calls.
- • Moscow evening (9-11 PM MSK / 9-11 AM AKST) provides the best overlap for both regions during winter standard time - ideal for daily coordination meetings.
- • Document all meeting times in both MSK and AKST to prevent confusion during daylight saving transitions affecting only the Alaska region.
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