The United Kingdom time difference is +5 hours from New York all year round for London (briefly different for a few weeks in spring and autumn, when the UK and the US change their clocks on different dates).
In practice, when it is noon in New York, it is 17:00 in London all year, whether New York is on EST or EDT. Once the time is sorted, choose your season: see the best time to visit London.
Our travel deals for Time difference
Affiliate links: we earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
FlightsKiwi.comCompare flights and airline combinations to Time difference.Compare flights- eSIMAiraloData plan to install before you leave (eSIM-compatible phone).See plans
Live local time
Calculated by your browser from the IANA time zone database.
Time in the UK: key facts
- Time zone: UTC+0 (GMT) / UTC+1 (BST), IANA identifier
Europe/London - Difference with New York: +5 h in both Eastern Standard Time and Eastern Daylight Time
- Daylight saving in the UK: yes, see the dates below
- Next clock changes: UK on Sunday 25 October 2026 (BST to GMT) and Sunday 28 March 2027; US on Sunday 1 November 2026 (EDT to EST) and Sunday 14 March 2027
Time difference between New York and the United Kingdom
| Time in New York | In London (US winter, EST) | In London (US summer, EDT) |
|---|---|---|
| 08:00 (8 am) | 13:00 | 13:00 |
| 12:00 (noon) | 17:00 | 17:00 |
| 18:00 (6 pm) | 23:00 | 23:00 |
| 22:00 (10 pm) | 03:00 (next day) | 03:00 (next day) |
The gap with New York stays the same for most of the year; it differs for a few weeks in spring and autumn, when the UK and the US change their clocks on different dates.
Clock changes 2026–2027
The UK observes daylight saving time. Planned dates (local time in London):
- Sunday 25 October 2026: from UTC+1 to UTC+0
- Sunday 28 March 2027: from UTC+0 to UTC+1
- Sunday 31 October 2027: from UTC+1 to UTC+0
Clocks also change in the US on the following dates:
- US, Sunday 1 November 2026: EDT (UTC−4) to EST (UTC−5) in New York
- US, Sunday 14 March 2027: EST (UTC−5) to EDT (UTC−4)
- US, Sunday 7 November 2027: EDT (UTC−4) to EST (UTC−5)
When to call the United Kingdom from New York
To reach someone between 09:00 and 20:00 London time, call between 04:00 and 15:00 New York time, whether New York is on EST or EDT.
On 15 January 2027, office hours (09:00–17:00) overlap for 3 hours with New York. Always state the time zone in your meeting invitations.
Time difference and jet lag: practical tips
Flying to the United Kingdom from North America means travelling east: your day is shortened and you need to go to bed earlier than usual. A few simple rules help you adjust to local time:
- Set your watch and phone to local time as soon as you board.
- Align meals and bedtime with local time from the first day.
- Plan a light first day, with no important meetings or long drives.
- Get out in daylight when you arrive and avoid long naps.
- If you take medication at fixed times, ask your doctor how to adapt the schedule to the time difference.
United Kingdom time zone: IANA identifier and history
| Zone | IANA identifier | Standard time on 15 January 2027 | On 15 July 2027 | Abbreviation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | Europe/London | UTC+0 | UTC+1 | GMT |
- London (
Europe/London): daylight saving time applied every year; the tz database records it since at least 1972.
Daylight saving time in the UK in 2027: clock-change dates
Dates calculated from the tz database rules for Europe/London (London). They are the UK clock changes listed above.
- Sunday 28 March 2027 at 01:00 (local time): clocks go forward one hour (UTC+0 → UTC+1).
- Sunday 31 October 2027 at 02:00 (local time): clocks go back one hour (UTC+1 → UTC+0).
| 2027 period | London vs New York |
|---|---|
| 1 January – 13 March | +5 h |
| 14 – 27 March | +4 h |
| 28 March – 30 October | +5 h |
| 31 October – 6 November | +4 h |
| 7 November – 31 December | +5 h |
Sunrise and sunset in London in 2027
Local sunrise and sunset times on the 15th of each month in London (51.50° N, 0.12° W), daylight saving time included. They help you time your exposure to daylight, the main lever for resetting your body clock on arrival.
| 15th of the month | Sunrise | Solar noon | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 07:59 | 12:10 | 16:20 | 8 h 21 |
| February | 07:15 | 12:15 | 17:15 | 10 h 00 |
| March | 06:15 | 12:09 | 18:04 | 11 h 49 |
| April | 06:05 | 13:01 | 19:56 | 13 h 51 |
| May | 05:09 | 12:57 | 20:45 | 15 h 36 |
| June | 04:43 | 13:01 | 21:19 | 16 h 36 |
| July | 05:01 | 13:06 | 21:12 | 16 h 11 |
| August | 05:46 | 13:05 | 20:24 | 14 h 38 |
| September | 06:35 | 12:56 | 19:16 | 12 h 41 |
| October | 07:24 | 12:46 | 18:08 | 10 h 44 |
| November | 07:18 | 11:45 | 16:12 | 8 h 53 |
| December | 08:00 | 11:55 | 15:51 | 7 h 52 |
The longest day in the table is 15 June (16 h 36 between 04:43 and 21:19), the shortest 15 December (7 h 52).
Jet lag: how flight direction affects you in the UK
- Outbound from New York (flying east): you « lose » 5 hours all year; your arrival day is shortened and you need to go to bed earlier than your body clock expects.
- Return to New York (flying west): the opposite applies. Flying west is generally considered easier to cope with: you just need to stay up a little later.
- Your usual night at home (23:00 – 07:00 New York time) corresponds to 04:00 – 12:00 in London during EST (same during EDT): this is when your body will want to sleep for the first few days.
- Daylight on arrival: in London, the sun rises around 07:59 and sets around 16:20 in mid-January, and around 05:01 and 21:12 in mid-July (table above). After flying east, seek morning light and avoid it late in the day; this is the standard advice for shifting your body clock.
Plan your trip to the United Kingdom
- Our complete United Kingdom travel guide: highlights, itineraries and budget
- Time differences around the world: every country in our guides
Frequently asked questions
What is the time difference between the United Kingdom and New York?
London is 5 hours ahead of New York all year round, apart from a few weeks in spring and autumn when the UK and the US change their clocks on different dates.
What time is it in London when it is noon in New York?
It is 17:00 in London all year.
Does the UK have daylight saving time?
Yes. Next changes (local time): Sunday 25 October 2026: from UTC+1 to UTC+0; Sunday 28 March 2027: from UTC+0 to UTC+1.
When should I call the United Kingdom from New York?
To reach someone between 09:00 and 20:00 local time, call between 04:00 and 15:00 New York time, whether New York is on EST or EDT.
What is the IANA time zone for the UK?
London: Europe/London.
What time does the sun rise in London?
Around 07:59 on 15 January 2027 and around 05:01 on 15 July 2027 (local time); sunset around 16:20 and 21:12. Destination de Voyage calculation (NOAA algorithm).
Our sources
- Sunrise and sunset: algorithm from the NOAA Solar Calculator (Global Monitoring Laboratory), applied to the capital’s coordinates (Natural Earth, Wikidata or Wikipedia): Destination de Voyage calculation.
- IANA Time Zone Database (tz database), version 2026b, consulted on 13 October 2026: time zones, rules and clock-change dates. Future dates may be changed by local authorities.
- UK clock changes: GOV.UK, When do the clocks change? (UK summer time from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October).
- US daylight saving time: NIST, Daylight Saving Time (from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November).
- Live time: calculated by your browser (Intl API), which relies on the same IANA database.
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.