This GMT to EST converter turns any time in Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) into Eastern Standard Time (EST), using your device clock so daylight saving is applied automatically. EST is 5 hours behind GMT when both zones are on standard time, and 4 hours behind during the summer months when clocks have shifted. GMT is UTC+0; EST is UTC−5 (EDT: UTC−4).
GMT covers Accra, Dakar, London in winter; EST covers New York, Toronto, Miami. 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.
GMT and EST UTC offsets
GMT
UTC+0
Greenwich Mean Time
No daylight saving time
EST
UTC−5
Eastern Standard Time
EDT UTC−4 from March 8 to November 1, 2026
GMT to EST conversion table (standard time)
| GMT | EST |
|---|---|
| 12 am | 7 pmprevious day |
| 3 am | 10 pmprevious day |
| 6 am | 1 am |
| 8 am | 3 am |
| 9 am | 4 am |
| 10 am | 5 am |
| 11 am | 6 am |
| 12 pm | 7 am |
| 1 pm | 8 am |
| 2 pm | 9 am |
| 3 pm | 10 am |
| 4 pm | 11 am |
| 5 pm | 12 pm |
| 6 pm | 1 pm |
| 8 pm | 3 pm |
| 10 pm | 5 pm |
GMT to EST during daylight saving
Between the dates listed above, the difference is 4 hours instead of 5 hours.
| GMT | EST/EDT |
|---|---|
| 12 am | 8 pmprevious day |
| 3 am | 11 pmprevious day |
| 6 am | 2 am |
| 8 am | 4 am |
| 9 am | 5 am |
| 10 am | 6 am |
| 11 am | 7 am |
| 12 pm | 8 am |
| 1 pm | 9 am |
| 2 pm | 10 am |
| 3 pm | 11 am |
| 4 pm | 12 pm |
| 5 pm | 1 pm |
| 6 pm | 2 pm |
| 8 pm | 4 pm |
| 10 pm | 6 pm |
Frequently asked questions
What is the time difference between GMT and EST?
EST is 5 hours behind GMT on standard time. During daylight saving the gap changes to 4 hours. That comes from the UTC offsets: GMT is UTC+0 and EST is UTC−5. For example, 9 am GMT = 4 am EST, and in summer 9 am GMT = 5 am EST.
Is EST ahead of or behind GMT?
EST is 5 hours behind GMT, so when it is noon in GMT it is 7 am in EST. Ahead means the clock there already shows a later time; a call at 5 pm GMT lands at 12 pm EST.
Does GMT or EST observe daylight saving time in 2026?
GMT keeps UTC+0 all year. EST switches to EDT (UTC−4) on March 8 and back on November 1. 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 GMT and EST?
Standard office hours (9 am to 5 pm) overlap from 2 pm to 5 pm GMT, which is 9 am to 12 pm EST. Pick a slot inside that window and both sides stay within a normal working day. Check the daylight saving dates above, because the window moves by an hour when only one side has changed clocks.
Which cities use GMT and EST?
GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) is used in Accra, Dakar, London in winter. EST (Eastern Standard Time) is used in New York, Toronto, Miami, Atlanta. Note that the United Kingdom is only on GMT in winter; from late March to late October London runs on British Summer Time, one hour ahead, so use the BST pages for UK business hours in summer.