This EST to HKT converter turns any time in Eastern Standard Time (EST) into Hong Kong Time (HKT), using your device clock so daylight saving is applied automatically. HKT is 13 hours ahead of EST when both zones are on standard time, and 12 hours ahead during the summer months when clocks have shifted. EST is UTC−5 (EDT: UTC−4); HKT is UTC+8.
EST covers New York, Toronto, Miami; HKT covers Hong Kong, Macau. Because only EST observes daylight saving time, the difference is not constant through the year. The tables below show both cases, and the converter at the top always uses the rule in force on the date you pick.
EST and HKT UTC offsets
EST
UTC−5
Eastern Standard Time
EDT UTC−4 from March 8 to November 1, 2026
HKT
UTC+8
Hong Kong Time
No daylight saving time
EST to HKT conversion table (standard time)
| EST | HKT |
|---|---|
| 12 am | 1 pm |
| 3 am | 4 pm |
| 6 am | 7 pm |
| 8 am | 9 pm |
| 9 am | 10 pm |
| 10 am | 11 pm |
| 11 am | 12 amnext day |
| 12 pm | 1 amnext day |
| 1 pm | 2 amnext day |
| 2 pm | 3 amnext day |
| 3 pm | 4 amnext day |
| 4 pm | 5 amnext day |
| 5 pm | 6 amnext day |
| 6 pm | 7 amnext day |
| 8 pm | 9 amnext day |
| 10 pm | 11 amnext day |
EST to HKT during daylight saving
Between the dates listed above, the difference is 12 hours instead of 13 hours.
| EST/EDT | HKT |
|---|---|
| 12 am | 12 pm |
| 3 am | 3 pm |
| 6 am | 6 pm |
| 8 am | 8 pm |
| 9 am | 9 pm |
| 10 am | 10 pm |
| 11 am | 11 pm |
| 12 pm | 12 amnext day |
| 1 pm | 1 amnext day |
| 2 pm | 2 amnext day |
| 3 pm | 3 amnext day |
| 4 pm | 4 amnext day |
| 5 pm | 5 amnext day |
| 6 pm | 6 amnext day |
| 8 pm | 8 amnext day |
| 10 pm | 10 amnext day |
Frequently asked questions
What is the time difference between EST and HKT?
HKT is 13 hours ahead of EST on standard time. During daylight saving the gap changes to 12 hours. That comes from the UTC offsets: EST is UTC−5 and HKT is UTC+8. For example, 9 am EST = 10 pm HKT, and in summer 9 am EST = 9 pm HKT.
Is HKT ahead of or behind EST?
HKT is 13 hours ahead of EST, so when it is noon in EST it is 1 am in HKT the next day. Ahead means the clock there already shows a later time; a call at 5 pm EST lands at 6 am HKT.
Does EST or HKT observe daylight saving time in 2026?
EST switches to EDT (UTC−4) on March 8 and back on November 1 in 2026. HKT keeps UTC+8 all year. Between those dates the difference in the table above shifts by an hour, which is the usual cause of missed calls in spring and autumn.
What is the best time for a meeting between EST and HKT?
Office hours (9 am to 5 pm) do not overlap at all with a 13 hours difference. The least painful options are early morning in EST or early evening in HKT; for example 8 am EST = 9 pm HKT and 6 pm EST = 7 am HKT the next day. Rotate the inconvenient slot between the two sides for recurring calls.
Which cities use EST and HKT?
EST (Eastern Standard Time) is used in New York, Toronto, Miami, Atlanta. HKT (Hong Kong Time) is used in Hong Kong, Macau. Some cities inside a zone skip daylight saving, noted in parentheses, so their offset matches only part of the year.