Mountain Time Zone
The Mountain Time Zone (MT) covers a vast region of the western United States, including Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Montana. The live clock above shows the current time in Denver, Colorado, a major city in the zone. Mountain Standard Time (MST) is UTC-7, and Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) is UTC-6 during daylight saving time (DST). Most of Arizona does not observe DST and remains on MST year-round, creating a unique exception within the zone. For a worldwide view of times, visit TimeRight.Now or CurrentTime.now.
Geography and States of the Mountain Time Zone
The Mountain Time Zone is one of the four main time zones in the contiguous United States, lying between the Pacific Time Zone to the west and the Central Time Zone to the east. It includes the states of Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Montana. Additionally, parts of Idaho, Oregon, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming are in the Mountain Time Zone, though their boundaries can be complex. The zone is known for its stunning mountain landscapes, including the Rocky Mountains, and major cities such as Denver, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Albuquerque, and Billings.
UTC Offsets and Daylight Saving Time
| Season | Abbreviation | UTC Offset | Example City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter (Standard Time) | MST | UTC-7 | Denver, CO |
| Summer (Daylight Time) | MDT | UTC-6 | Denver, CO |
| Year-round (Arizona) | MST | UTC-7 | Phoenix, AZ |
Daylight saving time begins on the second Sunday of March at 2:00 AM MST, when clocks spring forward to 3:00 AM MDT. It ends on the first Sunday of November at 2:00 AM MDT, when clocks fall back to 1:00 AM MST. The Arizona exception means that while the rest of the Mountain Time Zone springs forward, Arizona remains on MST, effectively aligning with Pacific Daylight Time (UTC-7) during summer. The Navajo Nation in northeastern Arizona does observe DST, adding further complexity.
Time Differences Between Mountain Time and Other US Zones
Mountain Time is two hours behind Eastern Time (ET) and one hour behind Central Time (CT). It is one hour ahead of Pacific Time (PT). For example, when it is 12:00 PM MST, it is 2:00 PM EST, 1:00 PM CST, and 11:00 AM PST. During DST, the offsets shift: 12:00 PM MDT equals 2:00 PM EDT, 1:00 PM CDT, and 11:00 AM PDT. Use our EST to PST Converter or PST to EST Converter for conversions involving other zones.
Major Cities in the Mountain Time Zone
Key cities include Denver (Colorado), Salt Lake City (Utah), Phoenix (Arizona), Albuquerque (New Mexico), and Billings (Montana). Other notable cities are El Paso (Texas, though it uses Mountain Time in some parts), Boise (Idaho, partially), and Cheyenne (Wyoming). Each city follows the same DST rules except Phoenix, which stays on MST year-round. Travelers should be aware of the Arizona exception when planning trips across the zone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current time in the Mountain Time Zone?
The live clock at the top of this page shows the current time in Denver, Colorado, which is in the Mountain Time Zone. You can also check Time.now for a world clock view.
Does Arizona observe daylight saving time?
Most of Arizona does not observe DST and remains on Mountain Standard Time (MST, UTC-7) year-round. The Navajo Nation in northeastern Arizona does observe DST. This means that during summer, Arizona is on the same time as Pacific Daylight Time (PDT, UTC-7).
What is the difference between MST and MDT?
MST (Mountain Standard Time) is UTC-7 and is used during the fall and winter months. MDT (Mountain Daylight Time) is UTC-6 and is used during the spring and summer months when DST is in effect. MDT is one hour ahead of MST.
Which states are entirely in the Mountain Time Zone?
Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Montana are entirely in the Mountain Time Zone. Parts of other states, including Idaho, Oregon, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming, are also in the zone.
How do I convert Mountain Time to Eastern Time?
Mountain Time is two hours behind Eastern Time. For example, if it is 3:00 PM MST, it is 5:00 PM EST. During DST, 3:00 PM MDT equals 5:00 PM EDT. Use our EST to CST Converter for Central Time conversions.
Is Mountain Time the same as Pacific Time?
No, Mountain Time is one hour ahead of Pacific Time. When it is 12:00 PM MST, it is 11:00 AM PST. During DST, 12:00 PM MDT equals 11:00 AM PDT. However, Arizona (MST) aligns with PDT during summer because Arizona does not observe DST.