Time difference between New York and Los Angeles
New York is 3 hours ahead of Los Angeles all year round.
Live time in New York and Los Angeles
Why is the time different?
New York and Los Angeles are in different time zones. The Earth turns, so the Sun reaches one place before the other. New York sees each new day first.In January New York is on EST and Los Angeles is on PST. In July they are on EDT and PDT.
- In 2026, the clocks in New York go forward on March 8 and back on November 1.
- In 2026, the clocks in Los Angeles go forward on March 8 and back on November 1.
- The gap between them never changes during the year.
A school day in New York and Los Angeles
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 5:30 am in Los Angeles, and children there are just waking up.
- When school ends in New York (3 pm), it is 12 pm in Los Angeles, and children there are at school.
- When children go to bed in New York (8 pm), it is 5 pm in Los Angeles, and children there are heading home or doing after-school activities.
- When school finishes in Los Angeles (3 pm), it is 6 pm in New York, and children there are having dinner with their family.
The two school days overlap for about 3.5 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 New York's clock. The top row shows New York. The bottom row shows what is happening in Los Angeles at that very same time.
Best time to call
- All year: both cities are at work from 12 pm to 5 pm in New York (9 am to 2 pm in Los Angeles).
Today, hour by hour (green = working hours for both, amber = fine for a call):
| New York | Los Angeles | Call? |
|---|
New York time to Los Angeles time
| New York | Los Angeles |
|---|---|
| 6 am | 3 am |
| 9 am | 6 am |
| 12 pm | 9 am |
| 3 pm | 12 pm |
| 6 pm | 3 pm |
| 9 pm | 6 pm |
Quick quiz: New York and Los Angeles
1 / 2More time comparisons
Questions about New York and Los Angeles time
What is the time difference between New York and Los Angeles?
New York is 3 hours ahead of Los Angeles all year round.
Is New York ahead of or behind Los Angeles?
New York is ahead of Los Angeles in January. Ahead means its clocks show a later time.
What time is it in Los Angeles when it is 12 noon in New York?
In January it is 9 am in Los Angeles. In July it is 9 am.
Are children at school at the same time in New York and Los Angeles?
The two school days overlap for about 3.5 hours. For the rest of the day, one class is in lessons while the other is not. When school ends in New York (3 pm), it is 12 pm in Los Angeles, and children there are at school.
What is the best time to call between New York and Los Angeles?
All year: both cities are at work from 12 pm to 5 pm in New York (9 am to 2 pm in Los Angeles).
Does the time difference between New York and Los Angeles change?
No. Both places move their clocks together, or neither does, so the gap stays the same.