Time difference between New York and Sydney
New York is 16 hours behind Sydney for most of the year, but 14 hours in July.
Live time in New York and Sydney
Sydney
--:--
GMT+11
Why is the time different?
New York 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 New York is on EST and Sydney is on GMT+11. In July they are on EDT and GMT+10.
- In 2026, the clocks in New York 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) New York is 15 hours behind Sydney.
- From April 5 to October 3 (182 days) New York is 14 hours behind Sydney.
- From October 4 to October 31 (28 days) New York is 15 hours behind Sydney.
These dates are for 2026. The pattern repeats every year, but the exact days move.
A school day in New York 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 New York (8:30 am), it is 12:30 am the next day in Sydney, and children there are fast asleep.
- When school ends in New York (3 pm), it is 7 am the next day in Sydney, and children there are having breakfast and getting ready for school.
- When children go to bed in New York (8 pm), it is 12 pm the next day in Sydney, and children there are at school.
- When school finishes in Sydney (3 pm), it is 11 pm the day before in New York, and children there are 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 Sydney!
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 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):
| New York | Sydney | Call? |
|---|
New York time to Sydney time
| New York | Sydney (January) | Sydney (July) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 am | 10 pm | 8 pm |
| 9 am | 1 am (next day) | 11 pm |
| 12 pm | 4 am (next day) | 2 am (next day) |
| 3 pm | 7 am (next day) | 5 am (next day) |
| 6 pm | 10 am (next day) | 8 am (next day) |
| 9 pm | 1 pm (next day) | 11 am (next day) |
Quick quiz: New York and Sydney
1 / 2More time comparisons
Questions about New York and Sydney time
What is the time difference between New York and Sydney?
In January, New York is 16 hours behind Sydney. In July, New York is 14 hours behind Sydney. 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 Sydney?
New York 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 New York?
In January it is 4 am (next day) in Sydney. In July it is 2 am (next day).
Are children at school at the same time in New York and Sydney?
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 7 am the next day in Sydney, and children there are having breakfast and getting ready for school. Fun fact: children in New York will be in bed before school finishes in Sydney!
What is the best time to call between New York 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 New York and Sydney change?
Yes. From March 8 to April 4 (28 days) New York is 15 hours behind Sydney. From April 5 to October 3 (182 days) New York is 14 hours behind Sydney. From October 4 to October 31 (28 days) New York is 15 hours behind Sydney.