Ever tried to join a Zoom call from New York only to realize your colleague in Los Angeles is still nursing their first cup of coffee? It’s a classic. If you’re asking what time is it now pst, you’re likely trying to bridge that three-hour gap or figuring out if a West Coast business is even open yet.
Right now, we are firmly in the grip of winter time. That means the West Coast is running on Pacific Standard Time (PST). Specifically, it is 8 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-8).
If you look at your watch in New York (EST), just subtract three hours. It's that simple, yet we still mess it up. Honestly, time zones feel like a relic of the industrial age that we just haven't figured out how to quit yet.
The PST vs. PDT Confusion
Most people use "PST" as a catch-all term for Pacific Time. That’s actually wrong. For a huge chunk of the year—from March to November—the West Coast isn't even on PST. They're on PDT, or Pacific Daylight Time.
What’s the difference? It’s all about that one hour of sleep we lose in the spring.
🔗 Read more: Why Everyone Is Still Obsessing Over Maybelline SuperStay Skin Tint
Pacific Standard Time (PST) is the "true" time. It’s what we use during the cold months when the sun sets at 4:30 PM and everyone feels a little bit sad.
Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) is the summer version. We shift the clocks forward (UTC-7) to steal a little more sunlight for evening BBQs and late-night hikes.
Important Date: In 2026, the big switch happens on Sunday, March 8. At 2:00 AM, PST officially dies for the season, and PDT takes over. We won't see PST again until November 1, 2026.
Who Actually Uses Pacific Standard Time?
It’s not just Hollywood and Silicon Valley. The Pacific Time Zone is a massive vertical slice of North America.
💡 You might also like: Coach Bag Animal Print: Why These Wild Patterns Actually Work as Neutrals
If you’re in any of these places, you’re currently living the PST life:
- California: The whole state, from the Redwoods to the Mexican border.
- Washington: Seattle, Spokane, and everything in between.
- Oregon: Most of the state, though a tiny sliver of Malheur County near the Idaho border prefers Mountain Time.
- Nevada: Las Vegas and Reno are PST strongholds.
- British Columbia & Yukon: Our Canadian neighbors to the north share this clock.
- Baja California: Mexico’s northernmost peninsula keeps pace with San Diego.
It’s a lot of ground to cover. You've got surfers in Malibu and loggers in the Yukon all looking at the same clock. Kind of wild when you think about it.
Why Does This Keep Changing?
You’ve probably heard rumors about California or Washington getting rid of the clock change entirely. People are tired of the "spring forward, fall back" dance. In fact, there have been multiple legislative attempts—like California's SB 51—to just pick a time and stick to it.
The problem? Federal law is a picky eater.
📖 Related: Bed and Breakfast Wedding Venues: Why Smaller Might Actually Be Better
Currently, states can choose to stay on Standard Time year-round (like Hawaii and most of Arizona). However, they aren't allowed to stay on Daylight Saving Time year-round without a literal Act of Congress. So, until Washington D.C. gives the green light, we’re stuck with the biannual jet lag.
How to Calculate PST Without a Calculator
If you’re trying to figure out what time is it now pst and you don't have a world clock handy, use these mental shortcuts. They’re basically life-savers for travelers.
- From EST (Eastern): Subtract 3 hours. (10 PM in NYC = 7 PM in LA).
- From CST (Central): Subtract 2 hours. (9 PM in Chicago = 7 PM in LA).
- From MST (Mountain): Subtract 1 hour. (8 PM in Denver = 7 PM in LA).
- From London (GMT/UTC): Subtract 8 hours. (This one is the hardest—just remember the West Coast is "behind" almost everyone).
Practical Steps for Staying On Time
Time zones are only annoying when you ignore them. If you’re managing a team or planning a trip, here is how you actually stay sane.
- Check the Date: If it’s between the second Sunday of March and the first Sunday of November, stop searching for "PST" and start searching for "PDT."
- Use a Fixed Reference: When scheduling global meetings, use UTC. It never changes. It doesn't care about daylight savings. It’s the North Star of timekeeping.
- Sync Your Calendar: Don't manually calculate meeting times. Let Google Calendar or Outlook do the heavy lifting by inviting people to a specific time zone slot.
- Account for Arizona: Remember that Phoenix does not change its clocks. In the winter, they match Mountain Time. In the summer, they effectively match Pacific Time. It’s confusing as hell, so double-check before calling your grandma in Scottsdale.
Stop guessing and start double-checking your dates. The transition in March 2026 is coming up faster than you think, and that one hour difference is the difference between being early to a meeting and being the person who "didn't realize the clocks changed."