You’re probably here because you’re trying to figure out if it’s too late to call your cousin in New Orleans or if that business meeting in Baton Rouge is happening in ten minutes or an hour. What is the time in louisiana? Right now, as of Saturday, January 17, 2026, Louisiana is humming along on Central Standard Time (CST).
If you look at your watch and it says something different, you might be in a different zone. Louisiana doesn't play games with split time zones like Florida or Tennessee. The whole state—from the muddy banks of the Mississippi to the pine woods of the north—stays on the same page.
The Current Clock in the Bayou State
Most of the year, Louisiana is six hours behind Coordinated Universal Time ($UTC-6$). But honestly, nobody talks in UTC unless they’re a pilot or a software engineer. For the rest of us, it’s just Central Time.
💡 You might also like: Portillo's Harwood Heights: Why This Specific Location Hits Different
Right now, in mid-January, the sun is setting early, the gumbo is hot, and we are firmly in "Standard Time." This means we are exactly one hour behind New York (Eastern Time) and two hours ahead of Los Angeles (Pacific Time).
It’s simple.
Usually.
But things get weird twice a year. If you’re planning a trip for Mardi Gras or a spring fishing expedition, you’ve got to keep an eye on the calendar.
When the Clocks Move: 2026 DST Dates
Louisiana, like most of the U.S., participates in the biannual ritual of Daylight Saving Time. We "spring forward" and "fall back" like clockwork, even if most of us wake up grumpy about it for a week.
In 2026, the shift happens on Sunday, March 8. At 2:00 AM, the time in Louisiana magically jumps to 3:00 AM. We lose an hour of sleep, but we gain that sweet, late-evening sunlight that makes patio dining in the French Quarter so much better. From March until November, the state moves to Central Daylight Time (CDT), which is $UTC-5$.
Then, the "fall back" happens on Sunday, November 1, 2026. We get that hour of sleep back, the sun starts setting before many people leave the office, and we return to CST.
Does Any Part of Louisiana Follow a Different Time?
You’d be surprised how often people ask this. Maybe they’re thinking of how Kentucky or Indiana are split down the middle.
📖 Related: Char Broil Gas Grills: Why They Actually Last (If You Know the Trick)
Louisiana is 100% Central Time. Every single one of the 64 parishes—what the rest of the country calls counties—is in sync. Whether you are in Shreveport, Lake Charles, or the tiniest fishing village in Plaquemines Parish, the time is identical.
Historically, this wasn't always the case. Before the railroads forced everyone to standardize in 1883, time was a local affair. "Noon" was simply whenever the sun was highest in your specific town. Imagine the nightmare of trying to run a train schedule when every stop had a different idea of what time it was. The Standard Time Act of 1918 finally put the federal stamp of approval on the zones we use today, and Louisiana has been a Central Time stalwart ever since.
Louisiana Time vs. The Rest of the World
If you're calling from overseas, the math gets a bit more "mathy."
- London: Louisiana is 6 hours behind (7 hours during DST).
- Tokyo: Louisiana is 15 hours behind.
- Paris: Louisiana is 7 hours behind.
Basically, if it’s 9:00 AM in New Orleans, it’s 3:00 PM in London. If you're doing business with someone in the Pelican State, just remember that the "Central" designation literally puts us in the middle of the North American hustle.
Why the Time in Louisiana Feels Different
There’s an old saying that in Louisiana, time is a suggestion, not a law. We call it "Cajun Time." It’s not that people are lazy; it’s just that the culture prioritizes the conversation you’re having over the meeting you’re supposed to be at.
If you’re visiting, don’t be shocked if a "quick lunch" turns into a three-hour marathon of stories and coffee. The clock might say it’s 2:00 PM, but the vibe says the afternoon is just getting started.
👉 See also: Couches You Can Sleep On: What Most People Get Wrong
Actionable Tips for Staying on Track
- Check the Date: If it’s between the second Sunday in March and the first Sunday in November, you are in CDT ($UTC-5$). Otherwise, you’re in CST ($UTC-6$).
- Sync Your Tech: Most smartphones handle the switch automatically, but if you’re using a manual watch or an older car clock, put a reminder on your fridge for March 8 and November 1.
- The "One Hour" Rule: If you are traveling from the East Coast, you gain an hour. If you’re coming from the West, you lose two. Adjust your dinner reservations accordingly.
- Mardi Gras Planning: Fat Tuesday falls on February 17 in 2026. Since this is before the March time change, the state will still be on Standard Time. No need to worry about losing an hour of sleep during the biggest party of the year.
Knowing what is the time in louisiana is about more than just numbers on a screen; it's about knowing when the kitchen closes, when the parade starts, and when it's finally acceptable to start your first batch of crawfish.
To stay perfectly synced, double-check your device's "Date & Time" settings to ensure "Set Automatically" is toggled on, especially if you're crossing state lines from Texas or Mississippi where the zone stays the same but cell towers can sometimes be finicky.