Time difference between Los Angeles and Sydney
Los Angeles is 19 hours behind Sydney for most of the year, but 17 hours in July.
Live time in Los Angeles and Sydney
Sydney
--:--
GMT+11
Why is the time different?
Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles is on PST and Sydney is on GMT+11. In July they are on PDT and GMT+10.
- In 2026, the clocks in Los Angeles go forward on March 8 and back on November 1.
- In 2026, the clocks in Sydney go back on April 5 and forward on October 4.
- From March 8 to April 4 (28 days) Los Angeles is 18 hours behind Sydney.
- From April 5 to October 3 (182 days) Los Angeles is 17 hours behind Sydney.
- From October 4 to October 31 (28 days) Los Angeles is 18 hours behind Sydney.
These dates are for 2026. The pattern repeats every year, but the exact days move.
A school day in Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles (8:30 am), it is 3:30 am the next day in Sydney, and children there are fast asleep.
- When school ends in Los Angeles (3 pm), it is 10 am the next day in Sydney, and children there are at school.
- When children go to bed in Los Angeles (8 pm), it is 3 pm the next day in Sydney, and children there are heading home or doing after-school activities.
- When school finishes in Sydney (3 pm), it is 8 pm the day before in Los Angeles, and children there are getting ready for bed.
The two school days overlap for about 1.5 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 Sydney at that very same time.
Best time to call
- Most of the year: there is no comfortable daytime overlap. One of you will need to start early or finish late.
Today, hour by hour (green = working hours for both, amber = fine for a call):
| Los Angeles | Sydney | Call? |
|---|
Los Angeles time to Sydney time
| Los Angeles | Sydney (January) | Sydney (July) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 am | 1 am (next day) | 11 pm |
| 9 am | 4 am (next day) | 2 am (next day) |
| 12 pm | 7 am (next day) | 5 am (next day) |
| 3 pm | 10 am (next day) | 8 am (next day) |
| 6 pm | 1 pm (next day) | 11 am (next day) |
| 9 pm | 4 pm (next day) | 2 pm (next day) |
Quick quiz: Los Angeles and Sydney
1 / 2More time comparisons
Questions about Los Angeles and Sydney time
What is the time difference between Los Angeles and Sydney?
In January, Los Angeles is 19 hours behind Sydney. In July, Los Angeles is 17 hours behind Sydney. 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 Sydney?
Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles?
In January it is 7 am (next day) in Sydney. In July it is 5 am (next day).
Are children at school at the same time in Los Angeles and Sydney?
The two school days overlap for about 1.5 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 10 am the next day in Sydney, and children there are at school.
What is the best time to call between Los Angeles and Sydney?
Most of the year: there is no comfortable daytime overlap. One of you will need to start early or finish late.
Does the time difference between Los Angeles and Sydney change?
Yes. From March 8 to April 4 (28 days) Los Angeles is 18 hours behind Sydney. From April 5 to October 3 (182 days) Los Angeles is 17 hours behind Sydney. From October 4 to October 31 (28 days) Los Angeles is 18 hours behind Sydney.