Houston Time Zone FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Houston's time zone, daylight saving, and time conversions
What time zone is Houston, Texas in?▼
Houston, Texas is in the Central Time Zone (CT). During standard time, Houston observes Central Standard Time (CST), which is UTC−6:00. During daylight saving time, Houston shifts to Central Daylight Time (CDT), which is UTC−5:00.
What is the current time in Houston right now?▼
Visit our homepage to see a live clock showing the exact current time in Houston, Texas. The clock updates every second and displays the time in CST or CDT depending on the time of year.
Does Houston observe daylight saving time?▼
Yes, Houston observes daylight saving time (DST). Clocks spring forward one hour on the second Sunday of March and fall back one hour on the first Sunday of November. During DST, Houston is on CDT (UTC−5) instead of CST (UTC−6).
What is the time difference between Houston and New York?▼
Houston is 1 hour behind New York. When it's 12:00 PM in New York (Eastern Time), it's 11:00 AM in Houston (Central Time). This difference remains the same year-round since both cities observe daylight saving time.
What is the time difference between Houston and London?▼
Houston is typically 6 hours behind London. However, this can briefly change to 5 or 7 hours during the weeks when one region changes clocks for daylight saving while the other hasn't yet.
What is the time difference between Houston and Los Angeles?▼
Houston is 2 hours ahead of Los Angeles. When it's 12:00 PM in Houston (Central Time), it's 10:00 AM in Los Angeles (Pacific Time).
What is the UTC offset for Houston?▼
Houston's UTC offset is UTC−6:00 during Central Standard Time (CST) and UTC−5:00 during Central Daylight Time (CDT).
Is Houston in CST or CDT right now?▼
Houston is in CDT (Central Daylight Time) from the second Sunday of March through the first Sunday of November, and CST (Central Standard Time) for the rest of the year. Check our homepage for the current status.
What major cities share the same time zone as Houston?▼
Houston shares the Central Time Zone with Chicago, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, New Orleans, Memphis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Kansas City, and Mexico City (during standard time).
When do clocks change in Houston, Texas?▼
Clocks in Houston spring forward at 2:00 AM on the second Sunday of March and fall back at 2:00 AM on the first Sunday of November. Visit our Daylight Saving page for dates through 2031.
How do I convert Houston time to my local time?▼
Use our Time Zone Converter tool. Select your city from the dropdown, and it will instantly show you the equivalent time. You can also enter a custom Houston time for future planning.
What time zone does Houston airport (IAH) use?▼
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) both use Central Time — CST (UTC−6) in winter and CDT (UTC−5) in summer, the same as the rest of Houston.
What is the IANA time zone identifier for Houston?▼
Houston's IANA time zone identifier is America/Chicago. This is the standard identifier used by computers, servers, operating systems, and calendar applications worldwide. Despite the name referencing Chicago, it applies to the entire US Central Time Zone including Houston.
What time does the stock market open in Houston?▼
The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and NASDAQ open at 9:30 AM Eastern Time, which is 8:30 AM Houston time (Central). Pre-market trading begins at 4:00 AM ET (3:00 AM CT). The market closes at 4:00 PM ET (3:00 PM CT). After-hours trading runs until 8:00 PM ET (7:00 PM CT).
What is Houston's military time zone letter?▼
Houston uses the military time zone letter 'S' (Sierra) during CST (UTC−6) and 'R' (Romeo) during CDT (UTC−5). NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston uses UTC (Zulu time) for all mission operations.
How many hours ahead is Tokyo compared to Houston?▼
Tokyo is 14 hours ahead of Houston during CDT (summer) and 15 hours ahead during CST (winter). Japan does not observe daylight saving time, so the difference shifts when Houston changes clocks. When it's 8 AM Monday in Houston, it's 10 PM Monday (CDT) or 11 PM Monday (CST) in Tokyo.
What time is it in Houston when it's midnight in London?▼
When it's midnight (12:00 AM) in London, it's 6:00 PM the previous day in Houston during CST, or 7:00 PM during CDT. The exact difference can briefly vary during spring DST transitions when the US and UK change clocks on different weekends.
Does NASA Johnson Space Center use Houston time or UTC?▼
NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston uses UTC (Coordinated Universal Time, also called Zulu time) for all mission operations and flight planning. However, daily office operations, visitor center hours, and staff schedules use local Houston time (CST/CDT).
What time do Houston Texans games start?▼
Houston Texans NFL games typically kick off at 12:00 PM or 3:25 PM CT for regular afternoon games, and 7:20 PM CT for Sunday Night Football. Monday Night Football starts at 7:15 PM CT. All times are in Houston's local Central Time.
Is Houston time the same as Dallas and San Antonio?▼
Yes. Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, Fort Worth, and all major Texas cities are in the Central Time Zone and observe the same time year-round, including identical daylight saving transitions.
What is the best time to call India from Houston?▼
The best time to call India from Houston is 7:00–9:00 AM CT, which corresponds to 6:30–8:30 PM IST (Indian Standard Time). This catches the end of the Indian workday. India is 11 hours 30 minutes ahead during CST and 10 hours 30 minutes ahead during CDT.
Why is Houston in the Central Time Zone and not Eastern?▼
Houston's placement in the Central Time Zone is based on its geographic longitude (approximately 95°W). The Central Time Zone covers roughly 82.5°W to 97.5°W longitude. Houston sits well within this range. The Eastern Time Zone boundary in Texas runs along the border with Louisiana's eastern parishes.
What time does the sun rise and set in Houston?▼
Houston sunrise and sunset times vary by season. In summer (June), sunrise is around 6:20 AM CDT and sunset around 8:25 PM CDT. In winter (December), sunrise is around 7:00 AM CST and sunset around 5:25 PM CST. The longest day has about 14 hours of daylight; the shortest has about 10.5 hours.
How do I schedule a meeting between Houston and Sydney?▼
Houston and Sydney have one of the largest time differences (15-17 hours). The only practical overlap is early morning Houston time: 6:00–8:00 AM CT catches 9:00–11:00 PM AEST in Sydney. Many teams use the Meeting Planner tool to visualize overlap. Both cities observe DST but in opposite seasons, making the difference variable.
Is there a bill to end daylight saving time in Texas?▼
Several bills have been introduced in the Texas state legislature to adopt permanent daylight saving time (CDT year-round). At the federal level, the 2022 Sunshine Protection Act passed the US Senate unanimously but stalled in the House. As of 2026, Houston continues to observe biannual clock changes. Any change would require federal legislation.
What time zone does the Port of Houston use?▼
The Port of Houston, the largest US port by foreign waterborne tonnage, operates on Central Time (CST/CDT). Shipping schedules, port authority hours, and vessel arrival times are all posted in local Houston time. International shipping lines typically also reference UTC for coordination.
Can I embed a Houston time widget on my website?▼
Yes! Visit our Embed page to get a free, lightweight Houston time widget that you can add to any website. The widget shows the current Houston time, updates in real-time, and automatically handles daylight saving transitions.
Still Have Questions About Houston's Time Zone?
Houston's Central Time Zone placement makes it a convenient hub for business across North America. Whether you're scheduling a call with the East Coast (just 1 hour ahead) or coordinating with the West Coast (2 hours behind), Houston's central position minimizes time zone friction.
For international travelers and businesses, remember that Houston's time can be quickly calculated from UTC: subtract 6 hours during standard time (November–March) or 5 hours during daylight saving time (March–November).
Key Facts at a Glance
- Time zone: Central Time (CT) — CST in winter, CDT in summer
- UTC offset: UTC−6:00 (CST) / UTC−5:00 (CDT)
- IANA identifier: America/Chicago
- DST starts: Second Sunday of March at 2:00 AM
- DST ends: First Sunday of November at 2:00 AM
- Same time as: Chicago, Dallas, Nashville, New Orleans, Mexico City
- 1 hour behind: New York, Miami, Atlanta, Washington D.C.
- 2 hours ahead of: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle
- 6 hours behind: London (GMT) during standard time
About This Resource
HoustonTimeZone.com provides free, accurate time zone information for Houston, Texas. Our live clocks sync with your device's time and are designed for travelers, remote workers, businesses, and anyone who needs to quickly check or convert Houston time. All tools update in real time and account for daylight saving transitions automatically.
Helpful Time Tools
Current Houston Time
Live clock with time zone details
Time Zone Converter
Convert Houston time to any city worldwide
CST vs CDT Explained
Deep dive into the difference and switching dates
NASA & Houston Time
How Mission Control uses Houston's time zone
Daylight Saving Time
DST schedule and dates through 2031
Houston Time Blog
Guides on calling times, remote work, and time zone history