If you’re staring at your phone trying to figure out what is the time right now in Arizona, you probably just realized that the Grand Canyon State doesn't play by the same rules as everyone else.
Right now, as of Saturday, January 17, 2026, Arizona is on Mountain Standard Time (MST).
Because it’s January, the time in Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff is exactly the same as the time in Denver or Salt Lake City. But here is the kicker: that won't last. In a few months, when the rest of the country "springs forward," Arizona stays exactly where it is.
The Current Time and Why It Feels Like a Moving Target
Honestly, checking the time in Arizona is a bit of a gamble if you don't live there. Most of the state stays on MST all year round. They opted out of the Uniform Time Act of 1966 decades ago.
👉 See also: Mother of the bride dresses long sleeves: Why they're actually the smartest choice for 2026 weddings
Why? Because it’s hot. Like, "don't touch the steering wheel or you'll lose a layer of skin" hot.
If Arizona used Daylight Saving Time (DST), the sun wouldn't set in Phoenix until nearly 9:00 PM in the summer. That sounds nice for a beach day in Malibu, but in the desert, it just means an extra hour of brutal 110-degree heat beating down on your house while you’re trying to sleep. By staying on Standard Time, Arizonans get a tiny bit of relief an hour earlier.
The Navajo Nation Exception
Now, just to make things complicated, there is one big exception. The Navajo Nation, which covers a massive chunk of Northeastern Arizona, does observe Daylight Saving Time.
If you drive from Flagstaff (Standard Time) into the Navajo Nation (Daylight Time) during the summer, you’ll lose an hour. Then, if you drive into the Hopi Reservation—which is entirely surrounded by the Navajo Nation—you’ll gain that hour back because the Hopi stay on Standard Time with the rest of Arizona.
You could literally change time zones four or five times just by driving across the northern part of the state. It's a headache for delivery drivers and travelers alike.
Comparing Arizona Time to the Rest of the World
Since Arizona doesn't move its clocks, its relationship with other states changes twice a year.
- In the Winter (Right now): Arizona is 1 hour ahead of Los Angeles (Pacific) and the same time as Denver (Mountain).
- In the Summer: Arizona is the same time as Los Angeles (Pacific) and 1 hour behind Denver (Mountain).
Basically, Arizona spends half the year acting like it's in California and the other half acting like it's in Colorado. If you have a Zoom call with someone in New York, you have to be extra careful. In the winter, you’re 2 hours behind them. In the summer, you’re 3 hours behind.
Practical Steps for Staying on Schedule
If you're traveling to Arizona or doing business there, don't rely on your "internal clock" if you're crossing state lines.
💡 You might also like: Why Afternoon Tea at Rosewood Hotel London is Actually an Art Gallery in Disguise
- Check the Rez: If you are heading to the Four Corners area or Antelope Canyon, verify if your tour guide is using "Navajo Time" or "Arizona Time." Most tourist spots in the Navajo Nation stick to their own clocks.
- Trust the Smartphone: Your phone is usually smarter than you are. As long as "Set Automatically" is turned on in your settings, your device will ping the local towers and adjust. Just don't be surprised when it jumps an hour as you cross into Window Rock.
- The "Mountain Standard" Rule: When setting up calendar invites, always select Mountain Standard Time (Phoenix) specifically. If you just select "Mountain Time," many apps will default to "Mountain Daylight Time" in the summer, and you'll end up being an hour early for your meeting.
Arizona is one of the few places where time literally stands still while the rest of the world rushes forward. It makes for cooler evenings and slightly less confused cows, even if it makes life a little harder for the rest of us trying to figure out when to call our relatives in Scottsdale.
Actionable Insight: Double-check your calendar settings for any recurring meetings involving Arizona residents. Ensure the time zone is set to MST / Phoenix rather than a generic Mountain Time zone to avoid the inevitable one-hour discrepancy that occurs every March and November.