Time in Anchorage
The live clock above shows the current local time in Anchorage, Alaska. Anchorage observes Alaska Time (AKT), which is UTC-9 during Standard Time and UTC-8 during Daylight Saving Time (DST). DST begins on the second Sunday of March and ends on the first Sunday of November. Anchorage experiences extreme daylight variation: in summer, the sun barely sets (midnight sun), while in winter, daylight lasts only about 5-6 hours. Compared to other major cities, Anchorage is 1 hour behind Seattle (Pacific Time), 4 hours behind New York (Eastern Time), and 17 hours behind Tokyo (Japan Standard Time). For a world clock, visit Time.now.
Alaska Time Zone Details
Anchorage is in the Alaska Time Zone, which covers most of Alaska except the western Aleutian Islands (which use Hawaii-Aleutian Time). The standard offset is UTC-9, but during DST it shifts to UTC-8. The table below shows the UTC offsets for different seasons:
| Season | UTC Offset | Abbreviation |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (Standard Time) | UTC-9 | AKST |
| Summer (Daylight Time) | UTC-8 | AKDT |
Alaska Time is one hour behind Pacific Time, so when it's noon in Anchorage, it's 1:00 PM in Seattle and Los Angeles. For the current time in other US time zones, see Eastern Time (ET), Central Time (CT), and Mountain Time (MT).
Daylight Saving Time in Anchorage
Anchorage observes DST from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November. Clocks spring forward 1 hour at 2:00 AM AKST to 3:00 AM AKDT, and fall back at 2:00 AM AKDT to 1:00 AM AKST. This aligns with the rest of the United States. However, due to Anchorage's high latitude (61 degrees north), the effect of DST on daylight is dramatic. In June, sunset occurs around 11:30 PM and sunrise around 4:20 AM, providing nearly 19 hours of daylight. In December, sunrise is around 10:00 AM and sunset around 3:40 PM, giving only about 5.5 hours of daylight. This extreme variation is a key characteristic of life in Anchorage.
Time Differences to Other US Cities and Tokyo
Anchorage's time offset relative to other major cities is important for travelers and businesses. The table below shows the time difference when Anchorage is on Standard Time (AKST) and Daylight Time (AKDT):
| City | Time Zone | Difference from Anchorage (AKST) | Difference from Anchorage (AKDT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle | Pacific Time (PT) | +1 hour | +1 hour |
| New York | Eastern Time (ET) | +4 hours | +4 hours |
| Chicago | Central Time (CT) | +3 hours | +3 hours |
| Los Angeles | Pacific Time (PT) | +1 hour | +1 hour |
| Tokyo | Japan Standard Time (JST) | +17 hours | +17 hours |
For example, when it is 12:00 PM in Anchorage (AKST), it is 1:00 PM in Seattle, 4:00 PM in New York, and 5:00 AM the next day in Tokyo. During AKDT, the differences remain the same because all locations that observe DST shift together. For current times in these cities, check Time in New York, Time in Los Angeles, and Time in Chicago. For worldwide city times, see TimeRight.Now or CurrentTime.now.
Geography and Impact on Time
Anchorage is located in south-central Alaska, at a latitude of 61.2 degrees north. This high latitude is the primary reason for the extreme variation in daylight hours between summer and winter. The city's time zone, Alaska Time, is designed to provide a reasonable alignment of daylight with typical waking hours. Despite being far west, Anchorage uses a time zone that is one hour behind the West Coast, which helps synchronize business hours with the rest of the United States. For those interested in other US time zones, you can find information on Eastern Time (ET), Central Time (CT), and Mountain Time (MT). Additionally, for a city-specific time reference, check time in Boston.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Anchorage observe Daylight Saving Time?
Yes, Anchorage observes DST from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November, shifting from AKST (UTC-9) to AKDT (UTC-8).
What is the time difference between Anchorage and New York?
Anchorage is 4 hours behind New York. When it is noon in Anchorage, it is 4:00 PM in New York.
How many hours of daylight does Anchorage have in summer?
In June, Anchorage experiences about 19 hours of daylight, with the sun setting around 11:30 PM and rising around 4:20 AM.
How many hours of daylight does Anchorage have in winter?
In December, Anchorage has about 5.5 hours of daylight, with sunrise around 10:00 AM and sunset around 3:40 PM.
What is the UTC offset for Anchorage?
During Standard Time (winter), Anchorage is UTC-9. During Daylight Time (summer), it is UTC-8.
Is Anchorage in the same time zone as Juneau?
Yes, both Anchorage and Juneau are in the Alaska Time Zone, so they share the same time.