Time in Phoenix, Arizona
The current local time in Phoenix, Arizona is shown in the live clock above. Phoenix and most of Arizona observe Mountain Standard Time (MST) year-round and do not participate in Daylight Saving Time (DST). This means that during the summer months (March to November), Phoenix is on the same time as the West Coast (Pacific Daylight Time), and during the winter months, it aligns with the Mountain Time Zone (Mountain Standard Time). For a global perspective, you can check Time.now for world clocks.
Below is a table summarizing how Phoenix's time relates to other major US time zones throughout the year.
| Season | Phoenix (MST) | New York (ET) | Chicago (CT) | Denver (MT) | Los Angeles (PT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter (Nov-Mar) | MST (UTC-7) | EST (UTC-5) = +2h | CST (UTC-6) = +1h | MST (UTC-7) = same | PST (UTC-8) = -1h |
| Summer (Mar-Nov) | MST (UTC-7) | EDT (UTC-4) = +3h | CDT (UTC-5) = +2h | MDT (UTC-6) = +1h | PDT (UTC-7) = same |
Why Arizona Does Not Observe DST
Arizona opted out of Daylight Saving Time in 1968 due to its desert climate. The extra hour of daylight in the evening would increase energy consumption for air conditioning. The Navajo Nation, which extends into Arizona, does observe DST to stay coordinated with its territory in other states. However, the rest of Arizona, including Phoenix, remains on MST all year. This makes Phoenix a unique time zone island: in summer, it shares the same time as Los Angeles (PDT), while in winter, it matches Denver (MST).
Time Difference to Major US Cities
Knowing the time difference between Phoenix and other US cities is essential for travel and business. During summer (March to November), Phoenix is 3 hours behind Time in New York (EDT), 2 hours behind Time in Chicago (CDT), 1 hour behind Denver (MDT), and the same as Time in Los Angeles (PDT). In winter, the differences shift: Phoenix is 2 hours behind New York (EST), 1 hour behind Chicago (CST), the same as Denver (MST), and 1 hour ahead of Los Angeles (PST).
Phoenix in the Mountain Time Zone
Phoenix is officially in the Mountain Time Zone, but because it does not observe DST, its offset from UTC is always UTC-7. This contrasts with other Mountain Time locations like Denver, which switch to UTC-6 in summer (MDT). Therefore, when referring to Mountain Time (MT), note that Phoenix uses MST year-round, while Denver uses MST in winter and MDT in summer. For travelers, this means that a flight from Phoenix to Denver in July will land in a time zone one hour ahead.
Phoenix vs. Las Vegas and Other Nearby Cities
Las Vegas, Nevada, is in the Pacific Time Zone and observes DST. So in summer, Phoenix and Las Vegas are on the same time (both UTC-7), but in winter, Phoenix is one hour ahead of Las Vegas. For more details on Las Vegas time, visit time in Las Vegas. Similarly, Tucson, Arizona (also no DST) shares the same time as Phoenix year-round. For non-US city times, TimeRight.Now offers worldwide coverage, and CurrentTime.now provides a multi-city world clock view.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Phoenix observe Daylight Saving Time?
No, Phoenix and most of Arizona do not observe DST. They remain on Mountain Standard Time (MST, UTC-7) all year.
What is the time difference between Phoenix and New York in summer?
In summer (March to November), New York is on Eastern Daylight Time (EDT, UTC-4), which is 3 hours ahead of Phoenix (MST, UTC-7).
Is Phoenix on Pacific Time in summer?
In summer, Phoenix shares the same clock time as Los Angeles (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-7), but it is still officially Mountain Standard Time.
What US states are in the same time zone as Phoenix year-round?
Only Arizona (except the Navajo Nation) stays on MST year-round. No other US state has a uniform year-round MST observance; other Mountain Time states switch to MDT in summer.
Does the Navajo Nation in Arizona observe DST?
Yes, the Navajo Nation, which extends into Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico, observes DST to stay consistent with its territory in other states.
How do I convert Phoenix time to my local time?
Use the live clock above or check Time.now for a world clock converter. Remember that Phoenix is always UTC-7.