Buffalo is one of those cities that feels like it has its own pulse, but when you're trying to catch a flight at Buffalo Niagara International or just checking in on a friend in Elmwood Village, the first thing you need is the clock. Honestly, getting the time right in Western New York matters more than people think. Especially if you're crossing the border from Canada or timing a drive through a lake-effect snowstorm.
As of right now, Buffalo, New York is on Eastern Standard Time (EST).
Since it is currently Friday, January 16, 2026, the local time in Buffalo is 1:32 PM.
What Time Is It In Buffalo New York Right Now and Why the Zone Matters
Buffalo sits firmly in the Eastern Time Zone, which basically means it shares the same clock as New York City, Toronto, and Miami. If you're looking at the global map, Buffalo’s current offset is UTC-5.
You've probably noticed that the sun sets pretty early this time of year in the 716. Because Buffalo is located at roughly 42 degrees north, the winter days are short. Even though it's 1:32 PM, the light starts to get that golden, late-afternoon look much sooner than you’d expect.
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The Daylight Saving Shift in 2026
We aren't in Daylight Saving Time (DST) yet. That doesn't happen for a few more months. If you are planning a trip or a meeting for later in the spring, you’ll need to account for the "spring forward" ritual.
In 2026, Buffalo will switch to Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on Sunday, March 8. At exactly 2:00 AM, the clocks will jump to 3:00 AM. Your phone will do it automatically, but that old microwave in the kitchen will be an hour behind until you manually fix it. During that period, the offset changes from UTC-5 to UTC-4.
Eventually, we’ll "fall back" again on Sunday, November 1, 2026. It's the standard cycle that keeps the state of New York in sync, though there’s always a bit of local debate about whether we should just pick one time and stick to it forever.
Living by the Buffalo Clock
If you're actually in the city right now, 1:32 PM on a Friday is a specific kind of vibe. Most people are finishing up lunch—maybe a beef on weck or some wings from Gabriel's Gate—and starting the final push of the work week.
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If you are calling someone in Buffalo from the West Coast, remember they are three hours ahead of Pacific Time. If you're in London, you're five hours ahead of Buffalo. It's easy to forget these gaps when you're just trying to get a quick answer on a Zoom call.
Local Factors That "Feel" Like Time
Time in Buffalo isn't just about the numbers on a digital screen. It’s about the seasons. In January, 1:32 PM feels like the middle of a long winter. The sun usually sets around 5:00 PM this time of month.
- Standard Time (Winter): EST (UTC-5)
- Daylight Time (Summer): EDT (UTC-4)
The city is remarkably punctual, mostly because you have to be when you’re dealing with the unpredictable weather off Lake Erie. If you're five minutes late for a meeting in the Southtowns because of snow, most locals will give you a pass, but generally, the city runs on a tight Eastern Time schedule.
Coordinating Your Schedule
When you're asking "what time is it in Buffalo New York right now," you’re usually trying to solve a logistical puzzle. If you're checking for a sports game—maybe the Bills or the Sabres—the start times are almost always listed in Eastern Time.
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Don't let the proximity to Canada confuse you. Even though Buffalo is right on the border with Fort Erie, Ontario, both sides of the Peace Bridge operate on the same time zone. There is no "border time" lag, other than the actual physical wait to get through customs.
Actionable Steps for Staying On Time
If you need to stay synced with Buffalo for business or travel, the best move is to set your primary digital calendar to America/New_York. This ensures that even when the Daylight Saving shift happens in March, your appointments won't get messed up.
Double-check your flight departures if you're heading out today; 1:32 PM is a peak transit time. If you're driving, remember that the "Buffalo time" includes a factor for traffic on the 190 or the 33, which can turn a ten-minute trip into thirty.
Keep an eye on the calendar for March 8, 2026, as that's your next major hurdle for keeping your clocks accurate in the Queen City.