How many hours is HST behind EST?
As abbreviations, EST is always 5 hours ahead of HST: HST is UTC−10 and EST is UTC−5. To convert, add 5 hours.
Check which label you actually need: EST (Eastern Time is on EDT today). A time written with an abbreviation that is not in use is usually meant as the local time, so convert between the places instead: right now EST is 6 hours ahead of HST.
When the HST to EST time difference changes
For most of the year EST is 6 hours ahead of HST. From 1 November to 31 December 2026, EST is 5 hours ahead of HST instead, because the two places change their clocks on different dates. Meetings booked by the usual gap land an hour off in those weeks.
| Dates | EST vs HST | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 8 March 2026 to 31 October 2026 | 6 hours ahead | 238 days |
| 1 November 2026 to 31 December 2026 | 5 hours ahead | 61 days |
| 1 January 2027 to 13 March 2027 | 5 hours ahead | 72 days |
| 14 March 2027 to 6 November 2027 | 6 hours ahead | 238 days |
| 7 November 2027 to 31 December 2027 | 5 hours ahead | 55 days |
Best time for a meeting between HST and EST
- When EST is 6 hours ahead of HST: 2 shared office hours, 09:00 to 11:00 in HST (15:00 to 17:00 in EST).
- When EST is 5 hours ahead of HST: 3 shared office hours, 09:00 to 12:00 in HST (14:00 to 17:00 in EST).