Atlantic Standard Time – AST Time Zone

Also known as: Atlantic Time (AT) and Atlantic Daylight Time (ADT)

North America: Only some locations are currently on AST because most places in this time zone are currently on summer time / daylight saving time and are observing ADT.

Atlantic: AST is currently not observed because locations are on summer time / daylight saving time and are observing ADT.

Time zone map of AST — Currently observing AST.
Observes AST part of the year.
Areas with same time currently (UTC -4).
Currently observing AST – Atlantic Standard Time.
Observes AST – Atlantic Standard Time part of the year, but not currently.
Currently has same time zone offset as AST (UTC -4) but different time zone name.

Atlantic Standard Time (AST) is 4 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). This time zone is in use during standard time in: North America, Atlantic, Caribbean.

See full time zone map

What Is Atlantic Standard Time?

Atlantic Standard Time (AST) is an eastern time zone in North America. It is used in the northeast of Canada.

It covers all or parts of four provinces in Canada, and although not used in mainland United States, the US territories Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands use the time zone.

In North America, Atlantic Standard Time shares a border with Eastern Standard Time (EST) in the west.

Atlantic Standard Time Zone

Atlantic Standard Time (AST) is a standard time zone in use from the first Sunday in November to the second Sunday in March—when Daylight Saving Time (DST) is not in effect. Atlantic Daylight Time (ADT) is used during the remainder of the year.

Potential New Time Zone in the US

Over the past decade, all six New England states have considered legislation to move from Eastern Standard Time to Atlantic Standard Time. This is often known as permanent DST because Eastern Daylight Time and Atlantic Standard Time have the same UTC offset: -4.

In 2019, the Governor of Delaware signed Senate Bill 73 to change the time zone to Atlantic Standard Time. The bill requires that Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland each do the same.

However, for the bills to come into effect, Congress first has to pass a federal law allowing states to observe DST year-round because today's law only allows states to forgo DST.

Time Zone News

AST Is the Atlantic Time Zone

In everyday usage, AST is often referred to as Atlantic Time (AT) or the Atlantic Time Zone. This can add a bit of confusion as the term Atlantic Time does not differentiate between standard time and Daylight Saving Time, so Atlantic Time switches between AST and ADT in areas that use DST during part of the year.

Most North American time zones have generic terms, including Pacific Time (PT), Mountain Time (MT), Central Time (CT), and Eastern Time (ET).

Converting Atlantic Standard Time to Other US Time Zones

Atlantic Standard Time (AST) is 1 hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST).
To convert AST to EST, you have to subtract one hour.
Atlantic Standard Time (AST) is 2 hours ahead of Central Standard Time (CST).
To convert AST to CST, you have to subtract two hours.
Atlantic Standard Time (AST) is 3 hours ahead of Mountain Standard Time (MST).
To convert AST to MST, you have to subtract three hours.
Atlantic Standard Time (AST) is 4 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time (PST).
To convert AST to PST, you have to subtract four hours.

Time Zone Converter: UTC to AST

Where and When is AST Observed?

North America

Canadian provinces using AST in the winter and ADT in the summer:

Canadian provinces using AST all year:

Quebec - East of 63 West only.

Areas of Greenland using AST in the winter and ADT in the summer:

Thule area

Atlantic

Atlantic islands/territories using AST in the winter and ADT in the summer:

Bermuda

Caribbean

Caribbean countries/territories using AST all year:

Other Time Zones in UTC -4

Some time zones exist that have the same offset as AST, but can be found under a different name: