Current Time in Canada
Check local time in Ottawa and all Canada cities. Canada spans 6 time zones.
Canada Quick Facts
🕐Time Zones in Canada
Canada uses NST (UTC-3:30) year-round. Ottawa is the capital and largest city.
Most regions of Canada observe Daylight Saving Time, typically from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November. During DST, clocks move forward one hour. Some regions may have different rules, so verify the specific location.
Major Cities in Canada (6 cities)
Click on any city to see detailed local time, sunrise/sunset times, and weather information.
📞Best Time to Call Canada
Canada shares similar time zones with many North American locations, making scheduling calls relatively convenient. For European callers, afternoon calls (after 2:00 PM local time) will catch Canada during their morning business hours.
Standard business hours in Canada are typically 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM local time, Monday through Friday. Standard business hours in Canada are typically 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM local time, Monday through Friday. Government offices and banks may have shorter hours. Many businesses close for lunch, especially in Southern European, Latin American, and Asian countries.
✈️Time-Related Travel Tips for Canada
Canada is well-connected with flights from major global hubs. Time zone differences within the Americas are generally manageable for business travel. Remember that English and French are the primary languages. Business culture may include longer lunch breaks in some regions.
💡Interesting Facts About Time in Canada
- Canada spans 6 time zones, making it one of the widest countries in terms of time coverage.
- The capital Ottawa is the political center of Canada with a total national population of 38M.
- Time zone boundaries don't always follow geographical lines - they're often adjusted for political, economic, or practical reasons.
- The concept of standardized time zones was developed in the 19th century with the expansion of railways, replacing local solar time.
About Time in Canada
Canada uses a single time zone (NST (UTC-3:30)). This makes it relatively straightforward to coordinate times across the country.
The capital city Ottawa serves as the political and often economic center of Canada. Major business activities are spread across cities including Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal.
When planning international calls, video conferences, or business meetings with contacts in Canada, it's important to consider the time difference. NST (UTC-3:30) is the most commonly referenced time zone for Canada.
Canada uses the Canadian Dollar (C$) as its official currency. The international dialing code is +1. Multiple languages are spoken, including English, French.
Cities in Canada
Explore local time in 6 cities across Canada:
🌍 Other Countries in Americas
Frequently Asked Questions About Time in Canada
Canada spans 6 time zones: NST (UTC-3:30), AST (UTC-4), EST (UTC-5), CST (UTC-6), MST (UTC-7), PST (UTC-8). The capital Ottawa uses NST (UTC-3:30).
Most regions of Canada observe Daylight Saving Time, typically from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November. During DST, clocks move forward one hour. Some regions may have different rules, so verify the specific location.
Canada shares similar time zones with many North American locations, making scheduling calls relatively convenient. For European callers, afternoon calls (after 2:00 PM local time) will catch Canada during their morning business hours.
Standard business hours in Canada are typically 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM local time, Monday through Friday. Government offices and banks may have shorter hours. Many businesses close for lunch, especially in Southern European, Latin American, and Asian countries.
Canada uses the Canadian Dollar (C$) as its official currency. The international dialing code is +1. Official languages include English, French.