Highlighted rows fall within 09:00–18:00 in both places: 8 shared working hours.
How many hours is PST behind PDT?
As abbreviations, PDT is always 1 hour ahead of PST: PST is UTC−8 and PDT is UTC−7. To convert, add 1 hours.
Check which label you actually need: PST (Pacific Time is on PDT today). A time written with an abbreviation that is not in use is usually meant as the local time, so convert between the places instead: right now PDT and PST show the same time.
Does the PST to PDT time difference change?
No. Pdt and pst show the same time all year, because both places change their clocks on the same dates.
When PST and PDT are both at work
When PDT and PST show the same time: 8 shared office hours, 09:00 to 17:00 in PST (09:00 to 17:00 in PDT).
Which Offset Applies on Your Date?
Pick any date and the converter applies the correct offset: PST (UTC−8) or PDT (UTC−7). It checks the DST transition dates for that year. For 2026, the switch from PST to PDT happens on Sunday, 8 March at 02:00 local (clocks spring forward to 03:00). The switch back to PST is on Sunday, 1 November at 02:00 local (clocks fall back to 01:00).
A meeting in February 2026 runs on PST (UTC−8). A call in July 2026 runs on PDT (UTC−7).
Why PDT Sits 1 Hour Ahead of PST
PDT is 1 hour ahead of PST.
Pacific Standard Time (PST): UTC−8
Pacific Daylight Time (PDT): UTC−7
12:00 noon PST is 13:00 (1:00 PM) PDT. A common error is treating all Pacific Time as PST, which adds an hour to your schedule during the summer months. Coordinating with someone on the West Coast in August while assuming PST puts you an hour early.
The DST transitions are fixed by US federal law (Energy Policy Act of 2005). The exact dates shift each year:
2026 spring forward: Sunday, 8 March at 02:00 → 03:00
2026 fall back: Sunday, 1 November at 02:00 → 01:00
2027 spring forward: Sunday, 14 March at 02:00 → 03:00
2027 fall back: Sunday, 7 November at 02:00 → 01:00
These dates apply across the entire Pacific time zone, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver, and Tijuana. Mexico's border cities follow the US DST schedule even though the rest of Mexico abolished DST in 2022.
Why a 1-Hour Conversion Error Costs You
A one-hour mistake is the difference between catching someone at their desk and calling during lunch. The conversion matters most when:
Scheduling across time zones. A 09:00 meeting in New York is 06:00 PST but 07:00 PDT. That hour determines whether you are starting work or still asleep.
Booking flights and travel. Departure and arrival times are always local. A flight from Los Angeles to London in January (PST) lands at a different clock time than the same flight in July (PDT), even if the UTC arrival is the same.
Using digital calendars. Many calendar apps default to "America/Los_Angeles" but display "PST" year-round. Always check the UTC offset, not the abbreviation.
Quick Reference: Pacific Time vs UTC Offsets
City
PST (UTC−8)
PDT (UTC−7)
Time Difference from UTC
Los Angeles
UTC−8
UTC−7
−8 or −7
New York
UTC−5
UTC−4
+3 from PT
London
UTC+0
UTC+1
+8 from PT
Tokyo
UTC+9
UTC+9
+17 (PST) or +16 (PDT)
Sydney (AEDT)
UTC+11
UTC+11
+19 (PST) or +17 (PDT)
Frequently asked questions about PST and PDT time
Is it PST or PDT right now?
Since 30 September 2026 falls within daylight time, the correct offset is UTC−7 (PDT). The live clock at the top of the page shows the current offset next to the time.
What is the difference between PST and PDT?
The difference is exactly one hour. PDT is UTC−7, PST is UTC−8. PDT is one hour ahead.
When does Pacific Time change from PST to PDT in 2027?
The spring forward to PDT happens on Sunday, 14 March 2027 at 02:00 local. The fall back to PST happens on Sunday, 7 November 2027 at 02:00 local.
Does the entire state of California use PST/PDT?
Yes. All of California is on Pacific Time and observes DST. This includes Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento, and San Jose.
Does Tijuana use the same time as Los Angeles?
Yes. Tijuana and other Baja California border cities use America/Tijuana, which follows the same DST schedule as US Pacific Time. They are synchronized year-round.
How do I convert a meeting from PST to Eastern Time?
Add 3 hours. 10:00 AM PST is 1:00 PM EST. During PDT, 10:00 AM PDT is also 1:00 PM EDT because both zones shift together on the same DST dates.
How many hours ahead is PDT of PST?
PDT (UTC−7) is 1 hour ahead of PST (UTC−8).
Does the time difference between PST and PDT change during the year?
No, it stays same time all year because both places change their clocks on the same dates.