The term Pacific Time (PT) is often used to denote the local time in areas observing either Pacific Standard Time (PST) or Pacific Daylight Time (PDT).
In other words, in locations observing Daylight Saving Time during part of the year, Pacific Time is not static but switches between PST and PDT.
Pacific Time UTC Offset
- Pacific Standard Time is 8 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time.
- Pacific Daylight Time is 7 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time.
What Is Pacific Time?
Pacific Time (PT) is the westernmost time zone in the contiguous United States and Canada. It is also used in Baja California, Mexico.
The PT time zone is the third most populated time zone in the US. It spans from Canada to Mexico.
In North America, Pacific Time shares a border with Mountain Time (MT) in the east.
What Does PT Time Zone Mean?
Unlike other time zone denominations, which have a fixed time, Pacific Time refers to a geographical area where the time changes twice yearly as Daylight Saving Time (DST) begins and ends. Pacific Standard Time is UTC-8, while Pacific Daylight Time is UTC-7.
Most North American time zones also have generic terms, including Mountain Time (MT), Central Time (CT), Eastern Time (ET), and Atlantic Time (AT).
Converting Pacific Time to Other US Time Zones
- Pacific Time (PT) is 3 hours behind Eastern Time (ET).
To convert PT to ET, you have to add three hours. - Pacific Time (PT) is 2 hours behind Central Time (CT).
To convert PT to CT, you have to add two hours. - Pacific Time (PT) is 1 hour behind Mountain Time (MT).
To convert PT to MT, you have to add one hour.
Where and When is PT Observed?
North America
US states using PST in the winter and PDT in the summer
- Idaho - western countiesBenewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Kootenai, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce, Shoshone and north part of Idaho