Time difference between New York and Beijing
New York is 13 hours behind Beijing for most of the year, but 12 hours in July.
Live time in New York and Beijing
Why is the time different?
New York and Beijing are in different time zones. The Earth turns, so the Sun reaches one place before the other. Beijing sees each new day first.In January New York is on EST and Beijing is on GMT+8. In July they are on EDT and GMT+8.
- In 2026, the clocks in New York go forward on March 8 and back on November 1.
- Beijing does not change its clocks, so it uses GMT+8 all year.
- From March 8 to October 31 (238 days) New York is 12 hours behind Beijing.
These dates are for 2026. The pattern repeats every year, but the exact days move.
A school day in New York and Beijing
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 New York (8:30 am), it is 9:30 pm in Beijing, and children there are asleep.
- When school ends in New York (3 pm), it is 4 am the next day in Beijing, and children there are fast asleep.
- When children go to bed in New York (8 pm), it is 9 am the next day in Beijing, and children there are at school.
- When school finishes in Beijing (3 pm), it is 2 am in New York, 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 New York will be in bed before school finishes in Beijing!
The same moment, hour by hour
Each box is one hour on New York's clock. The top row shows New York. The bottom row shows what is happening in Beijing 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):
| New York | Beijing | Call? |
|---|
New York time to Beijing time
| New York | Beijing (January) | Beijing (July) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 am | 7 pm | 6 pm |
| 9 am | 10 pm | 9 pm |
| 12 pm | 1 am (next day) | 12 am (next day) |
| 3 pm | 4 am (next day) | 3 am (next day) |
| 6 pm | 7 am (next day) | 6 am (next day) |
| 9 pm | 10 am (next day) | 9 am (next day) |
Quick quiz: New York and Beijing
1 / 2More time comparisons
Questions about New York and Beijing time
What is the time difference between New York and Beijing?
In January, New York is 13 hours behind Beijing. In July, New York is 12 hours behind Beijing. The gap also changes for a few weeks each year because the two places change their clocks on different dates.
Is New York ahead of or behind Beijing?
New York is behind Beijing in January. Ahead means its clocks show a later time.
What time is it in Beijing when it is 12 noon in New York?
In January it is 1 am (next day) in Beijing. In July it is 12 am (next day).
Are children at school at the same time in New York and Beijing?
The two school days do not overlap at all. One class has gone home before the other has even started. When school ends in New York (3 pm), it is 4 am the next day in Beijing, and children there are fast asleep. Fun fact: children in New York will be in bed before school finishes in Beijing!
What is the best time to call between New York and Beijing?
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 New York and Beijing change?
Yes. From March 8 to October 31 (238 days) New York is 12 hours behind Beijing.