Current Time in Tennessee

Tennessee spans two time zones. Most of the state — including Nashville, Memphis, Clarksville, and Chattanooga — uses Central Time (CST, UTC−6 in winter; CDT, UTC−5 in summer). East Tennessee — including Knoxville, Johnson City, and Kingsport — uses Eastern Time (EST, UTC−5 in winter; EDT, UTC−4 in summer). The live clock above shows Nashville (Central) time.

Nashville uses Central Time (CST/CDT). In winter, Nashville is on CST (UTC−6). During Daylight Saving Time (second Sunday in March to first Sunday in November), Nashville switches to CDT (UTC−5). Nashville is the state capital and home of country music, and its time zone is consistent with most of Tennessee.

Knoxville uses Eastern Time (EST/EDT), not Central Time like Nashville. Knoxville is 1 hour ahead of Nashville and Memphis year-round. Johnson City, Kingsport, and most of the eastern tip of Tennessee also use Eastern Time. This split reflects Tennessee's geography bridging the central and eastern US.

Yes. Tennessee observes Daylight Saving Time. Clocks spring forward 1 hour on the second Sunday in March and fall back 1 hour on the first Sunday in November. Central Tennessee moves from CST (UTC−6) to CDT (UTC−5); East Tennessee moves from EST (UTC−5) to EDT (UTC−4).

Nashville (CST, UTC−6) is 6 hours behind London (GMT, UTC+0) in winter. During US DST, Nashville is on CDT (UTC−5), making it 5 hours behind London (GMT). When both regions observe DST simultaneously, Nashville (CDT) is 6 hours behind London (BST). Knoxville (EST) is always 1 hour ahead of Nashville.

The majority of Tennessee is in the Central Time zone, including Nashville (state capital), Memphis, Clarksville, Murfreesboro, Franklin, Jackson, Chattanooga, and most of Middle and West Tennessee. Only the easternmost counties bordering North Carolina and Virginia use Eastern Time.