Time difference between London and Sydney
London is 11 hours behind Sydney for most of the year, but 9 hours in July.
Live time in London and Sydney
Sydney
--:--
GMT+11
Why is the time different?
London and Sydney are in different time zones. The Earth turns, so the Sun reaches one place before the other. Sydney sees each new day first.In January London is on GMT and Sydney is on GMT+11. In July they are on GMT+1 and GMT+10.
- In 2026, the clocks in London go forward on March 29 and back on October 25.
- In 2026, the clocks in Sydney go back on April 5 and forward on October 4.
- From March 29 to April 4 (7 days) London is 10 hours behind Sydney.
- From April 5 to October 3 (182 days) London is 9 hours behind Sydney.
- From October 4 to October 24 (21 days) London is 10 hours behind Sydney.
These dates are for 2026. The pattern repeats every year, but the exact days move.
A school day in London and Sydney
What are children doing in the other city? (We use 8:30 am to 3 pm for school, and January clocks.)
- When school starts in London (8:30 am), it is 7:30 pm in Sydney, and children there are getting ready for bed.
- When school ends in London (3 pm), it is 2 am the next day in Sydney, and children there are fast asleep.
- When children go to bed in London (8 pm), it is 7 am the next day in Sydney, and children there are having breakfast and getting ready for school.
- When school finishes in Sydney (3 pm), it is 4 am in London, and children there are fast asleep.
The two school days do not overlap at all. One class has gone home before the other has even started.
Fun fact: children in London will be in bed before school finishes in Sydney!
The same moment, hour by hour
Each box is one hour on London's clock. The top row shows London. The bottom row shows what is happening in Sydney at that very same time.
Best time to call
- In January: normal working hours do not overlap, but you can both be awake and reasonable from 8 am to 9 am in London (7 pm to 8 pm in Sydney).
- In July: normal working hours do not overlap, but you can both be awake and reasonable from 8 am to 11 am in London (5 pm to 8 pm in Sydney).
Today, hour by hour (green = working hours for both, amber = fine for a call):
| London | Sydney | Call? |
|---|
London time to Sydney time
| London | Sydney (January) | Sydney (July) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 am | 5 pm | 3 pm |
| 9 am | 8 pm | 6 pm |
| 12 pm | 11 pm | 9 pm |
| 3 pm | 2 am (next day) | 12 am (next day) |
| 6 pm | 5 am (next day) | 3 am (next day) |
| 9 pm | 8 am (next day) | 6 am (next day) |
Quick quiz: London and Sydney
1 / 2More time comparisons
Questions about London and Sydney time
What is the time difference between London and Sydney?
In January, London is 11 hours behind Sydney. In July, London is 9 hours behind Sydney. The gap also changes for a few weeks each year because the two places change their clocks on different dates.
Is London ahead of or behind Sydney?
London is behind Sydney in January. Ahead means its clocks show a later time.
What time is it in Sydney when it is 12 noon in London?
In January it is 11 pm in Sydney. In July it is 9 pm.
Are children at school at the same time in London and Sydney?
The two school days do not overlap at all. One class has gone home before the other has even started. When school ends in London (3 pm), it is 2 am the next day in Sydney, and children there are fast asleep. Fun fact: children in London will be in bed before school finishes in Sydney!
What is the best time to call between London and Sydney?
In January: normal working hours do not overlap, but you can both be awake and reasonable from 8 am to 9 am in London (7 pm to 8 pm in Sydney). In July: normal working hours do not overlap, but you can both be awake and reasonable from 8 am to 11 am in London (5 pm to 8 pm in Sydney).
Does the time difference between London and Sydney change?
Yes. From March 29 to April 4 (7 days) London is 10 hours behind Sydney. From April 5 to October 3 (182 days) London is 9 hours behind Sydney. From October 4 to October 24 (21 days) London is 10 hours behind Sydney.