London Time Zone: The Complete Guide
Your complete guide to time in the capital of the United Kingdom
Whether you're scheduling a meeting with colleagues in the UK, planning a trip to see Big Ben, or trying to catch the opening of the London Stock Exchange — understanding London's time zone is essential.
London operates on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) in winter and British Summer Time (BST) in summer. As the home of the Prime Meridian, London's time zone is literally the reference point for the entire world's timekeeping.
But there's more to London time than just knowing it's "GMT." What matters is understanding when businesses actually open, how the Tube schedule changes, and when you can realistically expect a British colleague to respond to your email (hint: probably after their tea break).
⚡ Quick Facts: London Time Zone
Time Zone Details
- • Zone: GMT/BST (UTC+0)
- • Full Name: Greenwich Mean Time
- • Daylight Saving: Observed
- • DST Period: Mar → Nov
Location & Region
- • Coordinates: 51.5°N, 0.1°W
- • Region: Europe
Best Overlap Windows:
Need exact conversions? Try our Time Converter or Meeting Planner
Explore the Complete Guide
Business Hours
Banks, shops, restaurants, and government hours in London
Best Time to Visit
Month-by-month weather, crowds, and events guide
Remote Work Guide
Working with London teams across time zones
24 Hours in London
The city's daily rhythm from dawn to night
Best Time to Call
Optimal calling times from major cities worldwide
Stock Market Hours
LSE & FTSE trading times for global investors
UK Bank Holidays
Public holidays, closures, and what to expect
Digital Nomad Guide
Coworking, cafes, WiFi, and cost of living
Time Difference
London time compared to NYC, Tokyo, Dubai, and more
Travel Planning
Flight times, jet lag tips, and arrival advice
Understanding London Time
GMT vs BST: What's the Difference?
London uses two time zones throughout the year: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) is used from late October to late March — this is UTC+0, the baseline for world time. British Summer Time (BST) is used from late March to late October, moving clocks forward one hour to UTC+1.
The switch happens on the last Sunday of March (clocks "spring forward") and the last Sunday of October (clocks "fall back"). This aligns closely with most European countries, though the exact dates can differ from the US by a week or two.
Why Greenwich Mean Time Matters
London's connection to timekeeping is historic. The Royal Observatory in Greenwich established the Prime Meridian — the line of 0° longitude — in 1851. This made Greenwich the reference point for global time zones. Even though UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) is now the official standard, GMT remains synonymous with London time.
Spring Forward (to BST)
Last Sunday of March at 1:00 AM
Clocks move from 1:00 AM → 2:00 AM
Fall Back (to GMT)
Last Sunday of October at 2:00 AM
Clocks move from 2:00 AM → 1:00 AM
Pro tip: During the weeks when the UK and US change clocks on different dates, the time difference shifts temporarily. London-NYC is usually 5 hours, but briefly becomes 4 hours in late March and 6 hours in early November.
London Time vs Major Cities
| City | Difference | When it's 12 PM in London |
|---|---|---|
| 🗽 New York | -5 hours | 7:00 AM |
| 🗼 Paris | +1 hour | 1:00 PM |
| 🏦 Frankfurt | +1 hour | 1:00 PM |
| 🏙️ Dubai | +4 hours | 4:00 PM |
| 🦁 Singapore | +8 hours | 8:00 PM |
| 🌃 Hong Kong | +8 hours | 8:00 PM |
| 🍣 Tokyo | +9 hours | 9:00 PM |
| 🦘 Sydney | +10 hours | 10:00 PM |
* Times shown use standard time. During DST transitions, differences may vary by 1 hour. See detailed time differences →
Need to schedule a meeting with London?
Find the perfect meeting time that works for everyone across time zones.
🚀Launch Meeting PlannerPractical Tips for Dealing with London Time
🏢 For International Business
London's position makes it ideal for bridging time zones. A 9 AM meeting in London catches New York at 4 AM (too early), but a 2 PM London meeting is 9 AM NYC — perfect for both sides. For Asia, early morning London calls (7-8 AM) align with end-of-day in Singapore and Tokyo.
✈️ For Travellers
Flying from North America? You'll "lose" 5-8 hours travelling east. Take an overnight flight, arrive in the morning, and push through the first day to adjust faster. Check our Jet Lag Advisor for personalized recovery tips.
💼 For Remote Workers
London's GMT base makes it surprisingly central for global teams. You can comfortably overlap with European colleagues all day, catch Americas in the afternoon, and start early for Asia-Pacific standups. Many remote workers consider London one of the best locations for distributed team coordination.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between London and New York right now?
London is typically 5 hours ahead of New York. When it's 12:00 PM in London, it's 7:00 AM in New York. However, for 2-3 weeks in March and November, the difference shifts to 4 or 6 hours because the US and UK change clocks on different dates. Always verify during these transition periods.
Is London on GMT or BST right now?
London uses GMT (Greenwich Mean Time, UTC+0) from the last Sunday of October to the last Sunday of March. During summer months (late March to late October), London switches to BST (British Summer Time, UTC+1). Check the current date to determine which timezone is active.
When do the clocks change in the UK in 2025?
In 2025, UK clocks spring forward to BST on Sunday, March 30th at 1:00 AM (clocks move to 2:00 AM). Clocks fall back to GMT on Sunday, October 26th at 2:00 AM (clocks move to 1:00 AM). Mark these dates if you have international meetings scheduled.
What time does the London Stock Exchange open and close?
The London Stock Exchange (LSE) opens at 8:00 AM and closes at 4:30 PM London time, Monday through Friday. Pre-market trading begins at 5:05 AM. That's 3:00 AM to 11:30 AM Eastern Time (EST) or 12:00 AM to 8:30 AM Pacific Time (PST) for US investors.
What is the best time to call London from California?
The best time to call London from California is between 6:00 AM and 9:00 AM PST, which reaches London during their afternoon (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM). Avoid calling before 1:00 AM PST (9:00 AM London) as you may catch people before business hours or commuting.
How many hours ahead is London from Los Angeles?
London is 8 hours ahead of Los Angeles during standard time (GMT vs PST). When it's 9:00 AM in Los Angeles, it's 5:00 PM in London. During daylight saving periods, this can temporarily shift to 7 or 9 hours depending on when each region changes clocks.
Does the whole UK use the same time zone as London?
Yes, all of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland use the same time zone as London (GMT/BST). The only exceptions are British Overseas Territories like Gibraltar, the Falkland Islands, and Bermuda, which have their own time zones based on their geographic locations.
What are London business hours for international calls?
Standard London business hours are 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday through Friday. However, many businesses in the City of London financial district start earlier (7:30-8:00 AM) to overlap with Asian markets. For US callers, aim for 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST to catch London's afternoon.
Ready to Dive Deeper?
This overview is just the start. Explore our detailed guides on specific topics: