Right now, you're probably just looking for a number. Maybe you have a meeting at the Stockyards, or you're trying to figure out if it’s too late to call your cousin who just moved to North Texas. If you're looking at your screen on Thursday, January 15, 2026, the local time in Fort Worth is currently in the late afternoon, specifically in the Central Standard Time (CST) zone.
Since it’s mid-January, we are tucked firmly into winter hours. The sun is already dipping low over the horizon, with sunset hitting around 5:46 PM today. If you’re outside near Sundance Square, you’ll notice the sky turning that deep Texas purple right about now.
Understanding the Fort Worth TX Time Zone (CST vs. CDT)
Texas is massive, but most of it—including the entire Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex—runs on Central Time. But here’s where people get tripped up: the "S" and the "D."
Right now, we are in Central Standard Time (CST), which is UTC-6. This is our "winter mode."
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- Central Standard Time (CST): Used from November to March. It’s 6 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time.
- Central Daylight Time (CDT): Used from March to November. It’s 5 hours behind UTC.
Honestly, the switch is what kills everyone’s sleep schedule. In 2026, the clocks are scheduled to "spring forward" on Sunday, March 8. At 2:00 AM that night, the city magically loses an hour, and suddenly everyone is grumpy at brunch the next morning. If you’re planning a trip to the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo—which actually kicks off tomorrow, January 16—you don’t have to worry about the time change yet. You’re safely in CST.
Why the Offset Matters for Travelers
If you’re flying into DFW International, keep in mind that Fort Worth is exactly one hour behind New York (Eastern Time) and two hours ahead of Los Angeles (Pacific Time). It’s simple math until you start dealing with international calls. For example, London is currently 6 hours ahead of us. If it's 5:00 PM in Fort Worth, it's already 11:00 PM in London, and they're likely heading to bed.
Daylight and Seasonal Shifts in 2026
The question of what time is it in Fort Worth TX isn't just about the digits on a clock; it’s about the light. In January, the days are short. We’re getting about 10 hours and 17 minutes of daylight today.
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Sunrise was at 7:31 AM. If you were driving down I-30 early this morning, you probably had the sun right in your eyes. By the time March 8 rolls around and we switch to Daylight Saving Time, that sunrise will jump to 7:41 AM, but we’ll get that sweet, sweet sunlight until nearly 7:30 PM.
It makes a huge difference for the local lifestyle. In the winter, the city retreats indoors to places like the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History (which is currently hosting a Barbie career experience and a DC Super Heroes exhibit, by the way). In the summer, the extra hour of evening light means the patios on Magnolia Avenue stay packed until late.
Real-World Timing for Your Fort Worth Visit
Timing is everything in this city. If you show up at the Stockyards at 11:30 AM, you’re just in time for the daily cattle drive. Miss it, and you have to wait until 4:00 PM.
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- The Cattle Drive: 11:30 AM and 4:00 PM daily (weather permitting).
- Business Hours: Most downtown offices run a standard 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, but the "Texan" workday often starts earlier to beat the heat in the summer.
- Museum District: Most spots like the Kimbell or the Amon Carter open around 10:00 AM.
If you are reading this on January 15, you’re actually here for a pretty big day in local news. Kacey Musgraves was just announced as the headliner for "The Big Night 2026," a massive fundraiser happening later this April. Also, the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo is having a VIP screening of "Horse Power" at the Omni Theater tonight starting at 5:30 PM. If you're not there already, you're cutting it close!
Actionable Tips for Syncing Up
If you're managing a team or planning a visit, here is how to handle the Fort Worth clock like a pro:
- Check the Date: If it's between the second Sunday in March and the first Sunday in November, use CDT (UTC-5). Otherwise, stay on CST (UTC-6).
- Sync to DFW: If you're using a digital calendar, "America/Chicago" is the standard IANA time zone identifier that covers Fort Worth.
- Watch the Fronts: Today, January 15, is actually quite warm (near 60°F), but a cold front is hitting tomorrow. In Fort Worth, "what time" the cold front hits is often more important than the actual hour.
- Confirm Event Times: Always double-check if an event is "Doors Open" or "Show Starts." For tonight's VIP screening at the museum, doors were at 5:30 PM, but the film starts later.
The city moves at its own pace—a mix of high-tech aerospace energy and old-school cowboy chill. Whether you're timing a livestock auction or a Zoom call, just remember that in Fort Worth, we’re currently six hours behind the prime meridian and ready for the rodeo.