Current Time in Alabama

Central Time (CST/CDT) · Birmingham · UTC−6 / UTC−5

Current Time in Alabama
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CST · UTC-6Central TimeThe Heart of Dixie

Alabama Time Facts

Time Zone
CT — Central Time (UTC-6/UTC-5)
DST Rule
2nd Sunday Mar → 1st Sunday Nov
IANA Identifier
America/Chicago
Population
~5 million — 24th largest state
Capital
Montgomery — cradle of civil rights
Famous For
NASA, college football, civil rights

Rockets, Rivalries & Civil Rights — Alabama on Central Time

Huntsville, known as Rocket City, is home to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center — where the Saturn V rocket was developed. Today the city is one of America's fastest-growing tech hubs, with defense contractors and aerospace firms scheduling launches and meetings on Central Time. Redstone Arsenal, adjacent to Marshall, employs over 44,000 people.

Every fall, the state divides along one line: Auburn vs. Alabama. The Iron Bowl rivalry is the biggest event on Alabama's calendar. Game day kickoffs — typically 2:30 PM or 7:00 PM CT — bring the entire state to a standstill. Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa holds over 100,000 fans.

Birmingham played a pivotal role in the American civil rights movement. The 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, the Birmingham Campaign of 1963, and the marches from Selma to Montgomery are foundational moments in U.S. history. Alabama is also a growing automotive powerhouse — Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai operate major assembly plants here, with shifts running around the clock on CT.

Major Alabama Cities — All on CT

Birmingham
Pop. 196K
Largest city, civil rights history
Huntsville
Pop. 220K
Rocket City, NASA Marshall center
Montgomery
Pop. 200K
State capital, Rosa Parks legacy
Mobile
Pop. 187K
Port city, original Mardi Gras
Tuscaloosa
Pop. 100K
Univ. of Alabama, Roll Tide
Auburn
Pop. 78K
Auburn University, War Eagle

Frequently Asked Questions

What time is it in Alabama right now?
Alabama uses Central Time. Birmingham, Montgomery (capital), Huntsville, Mobile, and all Alabama cities are on CST (UTC−6) in winter and CDT (UTC−5) during Daylight Saving Time. The live clock above shows the current time in Alabama.
What time zone is Birmingham, Alabama in?
Birmingham is in the Central Time zone (America/Chicago). Birmingham uses CST (UTC−6) during standard time and CDT (UTC−5) during Daylight Saving Time. Note: Birmingham, UK is in a completely different time zone (GMT/BST). Alabama's Birmingham is always on Central Time.
Does Alabama observe Daylight Saving Time?
Yes. Alabama observes Daylight Saving Time. Clocks spring forward 1 hour on the second Sunday in March (from CST UTC−6 to CDT UTC−5) and fall back 1 hour on the first Sunday in November.
What is the time difference between Alabama and Georgia?
Alabama (Central Time) is always 1 hour behind Georgia (Eastern Time). When it is noon in Atlanta, it is 11:00 AM in Birmingham. Both states observe DST on the same schedule, so the 1-hour difference is constant year-round.
What is the time difference between Alabama and New York?
Alabama (Central Time) is always 1 hour behind New York (Eastern Time). When it is noon in New York, it is 11:00 AM in Birmingham. Both states observe DST on the same schedule, so the 1-hour difference is constant year-round.
What is the time difference between Alabama and the UK?
Birmingham, Alabama (CST, UTC−6) is 6 hours behind London (GMT, UTC+0) in winter. During US Daylight Saving Time, Birmingham moves to CDT (UTC−5), making it 5 hours behind London (GMT). When both the US and UK observe summer time, Birmingham (CDT) is 6 hours behind London (BST, UTC+1).

Alabama City Times & Converters

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Time zone data powered by the IANA Time Zone Database. Alabama: America/Chicago (CST/CDT, Central Time).