Toronto Time Zone: The Complete Guide
Your complete guide to time in Canada's largest city and financial capital
Whether you're coordinating with Bay Street bankers, timing a call with Canadian clients, or planning to catch a Leafs game — understanding Toronto's time zone is essential for anyone doing business with Canada's economic powerhouse and most populous city.
Toronto operates on Eastern Time (ET), the same time zone as New York. This means EST (UTC-5) in winter and EDT (UTC-4) in summer. As home to the TSX (Toronto Stock Exchange), Canada's Big Five banks, and a thriving tech sector, Toronto time drives Canadian business rhythms.
The good news? If you already know New York time, you know Toronto time. The two cities share identical hours year-round, making cross-border business coordination effortless. But Toronto's multicultural character and Canadian holidays create their own unique scheduling considerations that every international partner should understand.
⚡ Quick Facts: Toronto Time Zone
Time Zone Details
- • Zone: EST/EDT (UTC-5)
- • Full Name: Eastern Time
- • Daylight Saving: Observed
- • DST Period: Mar → Nov
Location & Region
- • Coordinates: 43.7°N, 79.4°W
- • Region: Americas
Best Overlap Windows:
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Explore the Complete Guide
Business Hours
Banks, shops, LCBO, and government hours
Best Time to Visit
Weather, TIFF, festivals, and avoiding winter
Remote Work Guide
Working with Toronto teams across time zones
24 Hours in Toronto
The city's rhythm from dawn to late night
Best Time to Call
Optimal calling times from major cities
Stock Market Hours
TSX trading times for global investors
Canadian Holidays
Statutory holidays and what's closed
Digital Nomad Guide
Coworking, WiFi, and cost of living
Time Difference
Toronto time compared to London, Tokyo, Sydney
Travel Planning
Flight times, Pearson tips, and getting around
Understanding Toronto Time
EST vs EDT: Same Rules as the US
Toronto follows the same daylight saving schedule as the United States — not the European Union schedule. This means Canada "springs forward" and "falls back" on the same dates as New York and Los Angeles. For 2-3 weeks each spring and fall, Toronto's time difference with London shifts because the UK changes clocks on different dates.
This alignment with US schedules is intentional — the vast majority of Canada's trade and business relationships are with the United States, making synchronized hours crucial for cross-border commerce.
Bay Street: Canada's Financial Heartbeat
The Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) operates 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM ET, perfectly aligned with Wall Street. Bay Street — Toronto's financial district — is home to Canada's Big Five banks (RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO, CIBC), making it North America's second-largest financial center after New York. For global investors, this US-aligned schedule simplifies trading in both markets simultaneously.
Toronto Time vs Major Cities
| City | Difference | When it's 12 PM in Toronto |
|---|---|---|
| 🎡 London | +5 hours | 5:00 PM |
| 🗼 Paris | +6 hours | 6:00 PM |
| 🍣 Tokyo | +14 hours | 2:00 AM (+1) |
| 🦁 Singapore | +13 hours | 1:00 AM (+1) |
| 🦘 Sydney | +15 hours | 3:00 AM (+1) |
| 🏙️ Dubai | +9 hours | 9:00 PM |
| 🌃 Hong Kong | +13 hours | 1:00 AM (+1) |
| 🐻 Berlin | +6 hours | 6:00 PM |
* Times shown use standard time. During DST transitions, differences may vary by 1 hour. See detailed time differences →
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🚀Launch Meeting PlannerPractical Tips for Dealing with Toronto Time
🏢 For International Business
Toronto's alignment with New York makes North American business coordination simple. The UK-Toronto window is excellent: 9 AM - 12 PM ET catches London's afternoon (2-5 PM GMT). For Asia-Pacific, early morning Toronto calls (7-9 AM ET) reach Hong Kong and Singapore before their day ends.
✈️ For Travellers
Flying from Europe? The 7-8 hour flight to Toronto means you "gain" 5-6 hours heading west — depart London at noon, arrive Toronto early afternoon the same day. From Asia, expect brutal jet lag (13-16 hours difference). Toronto's cold winters (December-March) are notorious — check our Jet Lag Advisor and pack accordingly!
💼 For Remote Workers
Working remotely with a Toronto team? Europeans have great overlap — afternoon GMT aligns with Toronto's business hours. For Asia-Pacific remote workers, Toronto hours mean very early mornings or late evenings. Toronto's thriving tech scene (MaRS, Waterloo corridor) means many companies are already remote-friendly with flexible meeting policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between Toronto and London right now?
Toronto is typically 5 hours behind London. When it's 12:00 PM in Toronto, it's 5:00 PM in London. However, for 2-3 weeks in March and November, the difference shifts to 4 or 6 hours because Canada and the UK change clocks on different dates. Toronto follows US daylight saving dates, while the UK follows EU dates.
Is Toronto on EST or EDT right now?
Toronto uses EST (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-5) from the first Sunday of November to the second Sunday of March. During summer months, Toronto switches to EDT (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-4). Check the current date — if it's between March and November, Toronto is likely on EDT. Canada changes clocks on the same dates as the United States.
Is Toronto time the same as New York time?
Yes, Toronto and New York are in the same time zone (Eastern Time) and always show the same time. Both cities switch between EST and EDT on identical dates. This makes business coordination between Canada's financial hub (Bay Street) and the US financial center (Wall Street) seamless — when markets open in New York, they open in Toronto too.
What time does the Toronto Stock Exchange open and close?
The TSX (Toronto Stock Exchange) opens at 9:30 AM and closes at 4:00 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday — identical to NYSE hours. Pre-market trading runs 7:00 AM to 9:30 AM ET. For London investors, that's 2:30 PM to 9:00 PM GMT (winter) or 2:30 PM to 9:00 PM BST (summer). TSX is the 9th largest stock exchange globally by market cap.
What is the best time to call Toronto from the UK?
The best time to call Toronto from the UK is between 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM GMT, which reaches Toronto during their morning business hours (8:00 AM - 1:00 PM ET). For personal calls, early evening UK time (5:00-8:00 PM GMT) catches Torontonians at lunch or early afternoon. Avoid calling after 10:00 PM GMT as it's getting late in Toronto.
When do clocks change in Canada in 2025?
In 2025, Canadian clocks in Ontario/Toronto spring forward to EDT on Sunday, March 9th at 2:00 AM (clocks move to 3:00 AM). Clocks fall back to EST on Sunday, November 2nd at 2:00 AM (clocks move to 1:00 AM). Canada follows US daylight saving dates, which differ from European dates by 2-3 weeks.
What time zone is Toronto in?
Toronto is in the Eastern Time Zone, the same as New York, Miami, and Montreal. This includes EST (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-5) in winter and EDT (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-4) in summer. Most of Ontario uses Eastern Time, though the western edge near Manitoba uses Central Time.
What are typical business hours in Toronto?
Standard Toronto business hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM ET, Monday through Friday. Banks typically open 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM (some until 5:00 PM). Retail stores often open 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM. LCBO (liquor stores) hours vary but typically 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Restaurants serve dinner from 5:30 PM, with prime time at 7:00-8:00 PM.
Ready to Dive Deeper?
This overview is just the start. Explore our detailed guides on specific topics: