PST to AKST Converter
Convert time between Pacific Standard Time (PST) and Alaska Standard Time (AKST)
Pacific Standard Time (PST)
Alaska Standard Time (AKST)
Time Difference
Alaska Standard Time (AKST) is 0 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time (PST)
Select Date
Select Time
Quick Reference
| PST | AKST |
|---|---|
| 18:00 | 17:00 |
| 20:00 | 19:00 |
| 22:00 | 21:00 |
| 00:00 | 23:00 |
| 02:00 | 01:00 |
| 04:00 | 03:00 |
| 06:00 | 05:00 |
| 08:00 | 07:00 |
| 10:00 | 09:00 |
| 12:00 | 11:00 |
| 14:00 | 13:00 |
| 16:00 | 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 PST to AKST Time Conversion
Converting time between Pacific Standard Time (PST) and Alaska Standard Time (AKST) is essential for coordinating between the Pacific Coast and Alaska. PST is UTC-8 (observed during winter, November to March), while AKST is UTC-9 (observed during winter, same months). AKST is 1 hour behind PST.
This conversion is important for businesses coordinating between Pacific region cities (Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles) and Alaska cities (Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks). The minimal 1-hour difference makes coordination straightforward and allows for excellent business hour overlap. Both regions transition between standard and daylight time on the same dates (second Sunday in March and first Sunday in November), maintaining the consistent 1-hour offset year-round. Industries like tourism, shipping, fishing, energy, and telecommunications rely on smooth Pacific-Alaska coordination. The small time difference enables real-time collaboration without the challenges of larger timezone gaps.
Common Use Cases for PST to AKST Conversion
Business & Work
- Scheduling calls between Pacific Coast offices and Alaska headquarters
- Coordinating operations across Pacific and Alaska regions
- Managing logistics for shipping and transportation between regions
- Planning conference calls with Pacific and Alaska team members
Personal & Travel
- Coordinating with family and friends in Alaska
- Planning travel between Pacific Coast and Alaska destinations
- Scheduling virtual meetings with Alaska-based relatives
- Arranging online collaboration with Alaska-based colleagues
Time Zone Information
Pacific Standard Time (PST)
- UTC Offset: UTC-8 (UTC-7 during PDT)
- IANA Timezone: America/Los_Angeles
- Daylight Saving: Second Sunday in March to First Sunday in November
- Major Cities: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, San Diego
- Coverage: Pacific United States and Canada (winter months)
Alaska Standard Time (AKST)
- UTC Offset: UTC-9 (UTC-8 during AKDT)
- IANA Timezone: America/Anchorage
- Daylight Saving: Second Sunday in March to First Sunday in November
- Major Cities: Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks, Ketchikan, Sitka
- Coverage: Alaska (winter months)
Quick Reference: PST to AKST
Remember: AKST is always 1 hour behind PST. The offset remains consistent year-round because both regions transition between standard and daylight time on the same dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between PST and AKST?
Pacific Standard Time (PST) is UTC-8, while Alaska Standard Time (AKST) is UTC-9. This means AKST is 1 hour behind PST. When you have 12:00 PM in Los Angeles (PST), it's 11:00 AM the same day in Anchorage (AKST).
How does AKST differ from AKDT, and how does it affect the time difference?
AKST (Alaska Standard Time) is UTC-9 and is observed during winter (November-March). AKDT (Alaska Daylight Time) is UTC-8 and is observed during summer (March-November). PST is 1 hour ahead of AKST (winter) and the same time as AKDT (summer). This seasonal change is important for scheduling.
Does PST observe daylight saving time, and how does it affect Alaska coordination?
Yes, PST transitions to PDT (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-7) during summer months (March-November). This means the time difference with Alaska changes seasonally. During winter: PST is 1 hour ahead of AKST. During summer: PDT is 1 hour ahead of AKDT. The offset remains consistent at 1 hour year-round.
When do PST and AKST transitions occur?
Both PST/PDT and AKST/AKDT transitions happen on the same dates: second Sunday in March (spring forward) and first Sunday in November (fall back). This synchronized transition makes the 1-hour offset consistent throughout the year, simplifying scheduling between West Coast and Alaska.
What are the best times to schedule calls between Pacific Coast and Alaska?
The 1-hour difference provides excellent overlap. Morning in Pacific region (8-10 AM PST) corresponds to 7-9 AM in Alaska. Afternoon in Pacific region (2-5 PM PST) corresponds to 1-4 PM in Alaska. Evening in Pacific (6-8 PM PST) corresponds to 5-7 PM in Alaska, ideal for business coordination.
Why do Pacific and Alaska regions frequently coordinate with each other?
Alaska and the Pacific region have strong business ties through industries like tourism, shipping, fishing, energy, and telecommunications. The minimal 1-hour time difference makes real-time coordination easy, enabling seamless business operations between Seattle/Portland and Anchorage/Juneau.
Pro Tips
- • The 1-hour difference between PST and AKST is minimal, making coordination straightforward. Both regions transition on the same dates (second Sunday in March and first Sunday in November).
- • Morning coordination works well: 8-10 AM PST = 7-9 AM AKST. Both parties are in early working hours, ideal for urgent matters and decisions requiring immediate attention.
- • Afternoon overlap is excellent: 2-5 PM PST = 1-4 PM AKST. This window provides the best opportunity for real-time meetings and collaborative work sessions.
- • The 1-hour offset remains constant year-round despite PST/PDT and AKST/AKDT transitions. No need to recalculate when seasons change - the relationship stays the same.
- • End-of-day Pacific meetings (4-5 PM PST) still allow Alaska colleagues to join (3-4 PM AKST) before their workday ends. Plan major announcements and decisions for this window.
- • Use the minimal time difference to your advantage: Alaska early morning (6-7 AM AKST) corresponds to Pacific early morning (7-8 AM PST), perfect for urgent overnight updates.
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