You’re trying to set a meeting, or maybe you’re just catching a flight, and suddenly you realize there are two Georgias. One is famous for peaches and the Braves; the other is famous for the Caucasus Mountains and some of the best wine on the planet. Naturally, they aren’t in the same time zone. Not even close.
If you’re looking at the U.S. state, things are relatively straightforward. But if you’re heading to the country of Georgia on the edge of Europe and Asia, you’re looking at a completely different side of the clock.
What Time Zone Is Georgia In (the U.S. State)?
The state of Georgia lives and breathes in the Eastern Time Zone.
For most of the year, this means it follows Eastern Standard Time (EST), which is five hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC -5). However, like most of its neighbors in the United States, Georgia plays the Daylight Saving Time game.
When the "spring forward" happens, the state shifts to Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). During this period, the offset becomes UTC -4.
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Why the Shift Matters in 2026
In 2026, the clocks in Atlanta, Savannah, and the rest of the state will jump forward on Sunday, March 8. You lose an hour of sleep, but you get that late-evening sunlight. Then, on Sunday, November 1, the state "falls back" to standard time.
Honestly, there’s been a lot of talk in the Georgia State Legislature about making Daylight Saving Time permanent. They actually passed a bill back in 2021 to do just that, but it’s stuck. Federal law currently doesn't allow states to just switch to permanent daylight time on their own—they need a nod from Congress, which hasn't happened yet. So for now, keep those "change your clock" reminders on your phone.
The Country of Georgia: A Different World
Now, if you’re asking about the country of Georgia, put your watch away and start over.
The nation of Georgia operates on Georgia Standard Time (GET). This is a year-round time zone located at UTC +4.
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Here is the kicker: the country of Georgia does not use Daylight Saving Time.
They stopped doing the clock-switch back in 2005. This means whether it's the middle of a snowy January in Tbilisi or a scorching July in Batumi, the time stays exactly the same relative to the rest of the world.
The Massive Gap Between the Two
If you are trying to call someone in Tbilisi from Atlanta, you’ve got a bit of math to do. Since the state of Georgia moves its clocks and the country of Georgia doesn't, the time difference actually changes twice a year.
During the winter months (Standard Time), the country of Georgia is 9 hours ahead of the U.S. state.
When the U.S. state is on Daylight Saving Time (summer months), the country is only 8 hours ahead.
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It’s easy to mess this up. If it's 9:00 AM in Atlanta during the summer, it's already 5:00 PM in Tbilisi. If you wait until November to make that same call, 9:00 AM in Atlanta means it's 6:00 PM in Tbilisi.
Misconceptions About Georgia’s Time
People often assume that because the country of Georgia is "near" Europe, it follows European time rules. It doesn't. Most of Europe (like France or Germany) uses Central European Time (CET) and they do observe daylight savings. Georgia is further east and much more independent with its scheduling.
In the U.S., some people get confused because Georgia is so far south. They wonder if it follows a different zone like the Caribbean. Nope. Even though it's the Deep South, it stays firmly locked with New York and D.C. on the Eastern Seaboard.
Actionable Tips for Staying on Schedule
To stay sane while navigating these zones, you should probably do more than just guess.
- Use "Tbilisi" or "Atlanta" specifically when searching on your phone's world clock. Just typing "Georgia" might give you the wrong one depending on your GPS or previous search history.
- Check the March/November dates. If you have international business between the state and the country, mark March 8 and November 1, 2026, on your calendar. These are the days your "math" for the time difference will change.
- Verify flight connections. If you're flying into Tbilisi (TBS), remember that flight itineraries always show local time. Don't try to calculate the arrival based on your home clock or you'll end up very confused about when you're actually landing.
- Set a dual-clock widget. Most smartphones let you put two clocks on your home screen. Label one "GA State" and the other "GA Country" to avoid the classic 3:00 AM "oops" phone call.
The state of Georgia is Eastern Time (UTC -5/-4). The country of Georgia is Georgia Standard Time (UTC +4). Whether you’re looking for a peach or a Khachapuri, knowing which clock you’re on is the first step to getting there on time.