Current Time in Florida

Eastern Time (ET) · EST (UTC−5) in winter · EDT (UTC−4) during DST · Pensacola uses Central Time

Live Florida Time (EST/EDT · UTC−5)
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Miami · Orlando · Tampa · Jacksonville · Eastern Time

Florida Time Zones

RegionZoneCurrent Time
Miami / Orlando / TampaEST/EDT (UTC−5/−4) — most of Florida--:--
Pensacola (Panhandle)CST/CDT (UTC−6/−5) — NW Panhandle only--:--

Florida Time vs World Cities

CityZoneCurrent Time
Los AngelesPST/PDT--:--
ChicagoCST/CDT--:--
LondonGMT/BST--:--
Berlin / ParisCET/CEST--:--
DubaiGST--:--
Mumbai (IST)IST--:--
TokyoJST--:--

Best Time to Call Florida

Florida (most) business hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM EST/EDT. Pensacola Panhandle uses CST/CDT (1h behind).

Calling FromYour TimeFlorida Time
PST (Los Angeles)6:00 AM – 3:00 PM PST9:00 AM – 6:00 PM EST
CST (Chicago)8:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST9:00 AM – 6:00 PM EST
GMT (London)2:00 PM – 11:00 PM GMT9:00 AM – 6:00 PM EST
CET (Berlin/Paris)3:00 PM – Midnight CET9:00 AM – 6:00 PM EST
IST (India)7:30 PM – 4:30 AM IST9:00 AM – 6:00 PM EST
JST (Tokyo)11:00 PM – 8:00 AM JST9:00 AM – 6:00 PM EST

Florida Time Zones — The Pensacola Exception

Most of Florida uses Eastern Time (EST/EDT), but the northwest Panhandle — including Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach, and Destin — uses Central Time (CST/CDT). The boundary runs roughly along the Apalachicola River in the Panhandle, making Pensacola 1 hour behind Miami despite both being in Florida.

Florida's legislature passed the Sunshine Protection Act in 2018, voting to stay on permanent EDT (UTC−4, i.e., permanent "summer time"). Governor Scott signed it into law. However, it requires federal approval under the Uniform Time Act, and as of 2026, Congress has not enacted the enabling legislation. Florida continues to observe standard DST transitions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time is it in Florida right now?
Most of Florida uses Eastern Time — EST (UTC−5) in winter and EDT (UTC−4) during Daylight Saving Time. This includes Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale, and most of the state. Exception: Pensacola and the northwest Panhandle use Central Time (CST/CDT), which is 1 hour behind the rest of Florida.
What time zone is Florida in?
Most of Florida uses the Eastern Time Zone (America/New_York): EST (UTC−5) in winter and EDT (UTC−4) during DST. The northwest Panhandle — including Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach, and Destin — uses the Central Time Zone (America/Chicago): CST (UTC−6) in winter and CDT (UTC−5) during DST.
Does Florida observe Daylight Saving Time?
Yes, but Florida has tried to end it. Florida passed the Sunshine Protection Act in 2018, voting to stay on permanent EDT (UTC−4). However, federal law requires Congressional approval, and the US Congress has not acted on the request. Florida continues to change clocks twice a year.
What time zone is Pensacola, Florida in?
Pensacola and the northwest Florida Panhandle use Central Time (CST/CDT), not Eastern Time like the rest of Florida. This means Pensacola is 1 hour behind Miami, Orlando, and Tampa. The boundary runs roughly through the Apalachicola River area.
What is the time difference between Florida and the UK?
Florida (EST, UTC−5) is 5 hours behind London (GMT, UTC+0) in winter. During British Summer Time (BST), Florida is still typically 5 hours behind London (because Florida also moves to EDT). There are brief transition windows in spring and autumn when the gap is 4 or 6 hours.
What is the time difference between Florida and California?
Florida (Eastern Time) is always 3 hours ahead of California (Pacific Time). When it is 9:00 AM in Los Angeles, it is 12:00 PM (noon) in Miami. Both states switch to Daylight Saving Time simultaneously, so the 3-hour gap is constant year-round.
Time zone data powered by the IANA Time Zone Database. Florida (most): America/New_York (EST/EDT). Panhandle: America/Chicago.