Time difference between Los Angeles and Phoenix
Los Angeles is 1 hour behind Phoenix for most of the year, but 0 hours in July.
Live time in Los Angeles and Phoenix
Why is the time different?
Los Angeles and Phoenix are in different time zones. The Earth turns, so the Sun reaches one place before the other. Phoenix sees each new day first.In January Los Angeles is on PST and Phoenix is on MST. In July they are on PDT and MST.
- In 2026, the clocks in Los Angeles go forward on March 8 and back on November 1.
- Phoenix does not change its clocks, so it uses MST all year.
- From March 8 to October 31 (238 days) Los Angeles and Phoenix are on the same time.
These dates are for 2026. The pattern repeats every year, but the exact days move.
A school day in Los Angeles and Phoenix
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 Los Angeles (8:30 am), it is 9:30 am in Phoenix, and children there are at school.
- When school ends in Los Angeles (3 pm), it is 4 pm in Phoenix, and children there are heading home or doing after-school activities.
- When children go to bed in Los Angeles (8 pm), it is 9 pm in Phoenix, and children there are asleep.
- When school finishes in Phoenix (3 pm), it is 2 pm in Los Angeles, and children there are at school.
The two school days overlap for about 5.5 hours. For the rest of the day, one class is in lessons while the other is not.
The same moment, hour by hour
Each box is one hour on Los Angeles's clock. The top row shows Los Angeles. The bottom row shows what is happening in Phoenix at that very same time.
Best time to call
- In January: both cities are at work from 9 am to 4 pm in Los Angeles (10 am to 5 pm in Phoenix).
- In July: both cities are at work from 9 am to 5 pm in Los Angeles (9 am to 5 pm in Phoenix).
Today, hour by hour (green = working hours for both, amber = fine for a call):
| Los Angeles | Phoenix | Call? |
|---|
Los Angeles time to Phoenix time
| Los Angeles | Phoenix (January) | Phoenix (July) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 am | 7 am | 6 am |
| 9 am | 10 am | 9 am |
| 12 pm | 1 pm | 12 pm |
| 3 pm | 4 pm | 3 pm |
| 6 pm | 7 pm | 6 pm |
| 9 pm | 10 pm | 9 pm |
Quick quiz: Los Angeles and Phoenix
1 / 2More time comparisons
Questions about Los Angeles and Phoenix time
What is the time difference between Los Angeles and Phoenix?
In January, Los Angeles is 1 hour behind Phoenix. In July, Los Angeles and Phoenix are on the same time. The gap also changes for a few weeks each year because the two places change their clocks on different dates.
Is Los Angeles ahead of or behind Phoenix?
Los Angeles is behind Phoenix in January. Ahead means its clocks show a later time.
What time is it in Phoenix when it is 12 noon in Los Angeles?
In January it is 1 pm in Phoenix. In July it is 12 pm.
Are children at school at the same time in Los Angeles and Phoenix?
The two school days overlap for about 5.5 hours. For the rest of the day, one class is in lessons while the other is not. When school ends in Los Angeles (3 pm), it is 4 pm in Phoenix, and children there are heading home or doing after-school activities.
What is the best time to call between Los Angeles and Phoenix?
In January: both cities are at work from 9 am to 4 pm in Los Angeles (10 am to 5 pm in Phoenix). In July: both cities are at work from 9 am to 5 pm in Los Angeles (9 am to 5 pm in Phoenix).
Does the time difference between Los Angeles and Phoenix change?
Yes. From March 8 to October 31 (238 days) Los Angeles and Phoenix are on the same time.