Time difference between New York and Phoenix
New York is 2 hours ahead of Phoenix for most of the year, but 3 hours in July.
Live time in New York and Phoenix
Why is the time different?
New York and Phoenix 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 Phoenix is on MST. In July they are on EDT and MST.
- In 2026, the clocks in New York 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) New York is 3 hours ahead of Phoenix.
These dates are for 2026. The pattern repeats every year, but the exact days move.
A school day in New York 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 New York (8:30 am), it is 6:30 am in Phoenix, and children there are just waking up.
- When school ends in New York (3 pm), it is 1 pm in Phoenix, and children there are at school.
- When children go to bed in New York (8 pm), it is 6 pm in Phoenix, and children there are having dinner with their family.
- When school finishes in Phoenix (3 pm), it is 5 pm in New York, and children there are heading home or doing after-school activities.
The two school days overlap for about 4.5 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 Phoenix at that very same time.
Best time to call
- In January: both cities are at work from 11 am to 5 pm in New York (9 am to 3 pm in Phoenix).
- In July: both cities are at work from 12 pm to 5 pm in New York (9 am to 2 pm in Phoenix).
Today, hour by hour (green = working hours for both, amber = fine for a call):
| New York | Phoenix | Call? |
|---|
New York time to Phoenix time
| New York | Phoenix (January) | Phoenix (July) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 am | 4 am | 3 am |
| 9 am | 7 am | 6 am |
| 12 pm | 10 am | 9 am |
| 3 pm | 1 pm | 12 pm |
| 6 pm | 4 pm | 3 pm |
| 9 pm | 7 pm | 6 pm |
Quick quiz: New York and Phoenix
1 / 2More time comparisons
Questions about New York and Phoenix time
What is the time difference between New York and Phoenix?
In January, New York is 2 hours ahead of Phoenix. In July, New York is 3 hours ahead of Phoenix. 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 Phoenix?
New York is ahead of Phoenix in January. Ahead means its clocks show a later time.
What time is it in Phoenix when it is 12 noon in New York?
In January it is 10 am in Phoenix. In July it is 9 am.
Are children at school at the same time in New York and Phoenix?
The two school days overlap for about 4.5 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 1 pm in Phoenix, and children there are at school.
What is the best time to call between New York and Phoenix?
In January: both cities are at work from 11 am to 5 pm in New York (9 am to 3 pm in Phoenix). In July: both cities are at work from 12 pm to 5 pm in New York (9 am to 2 pm in Phoenix).
Does the time difference between New York and Phoenix change?
Yes. From March 8 to October 31 (238 days) New York is 3 hours ahead of Phoenix.