Alaska Time now
AKT UTC−9 · IANA zone America/Anchorage
What is Alaska Time?
Alaska Time (AKT) covers nearly all of Alaska — the only state in the zone. It runs on Alaska Standard Time (AKST, UTC−9) from November to March and Alaska Daylight Time (AKDT, UTC−8) the rest of the year.
The zone dates from 1983, when Alaska consolidated most of the state — previously spread across four time zones — onto a single clock centered on Anchorage. One exception remains: the Aleutian Islands west of 169°30′ W are on Hawaii–Aleutian Time, one more hour behind. Because Alaska observes daylight saving on the same dates as the Lower 48, its gaps to the other DST-observing zones never change.
| Zone | Difference | Time there now |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern | 4 h ahead | +4 h |
| Central | 3 h ahead | +3 h |
| Mountain | 2 h ahead | +2 h |
| Pacific | 1 h ahead | +1 h |
| Hawaii | 1–2 h behind | −1 / −2 h |
Where Alaska Time applies
Only one state uses the zone: Alaska, from the Southeast panhandle through Anchorage and Fairbanks out to the eastern Aleutians.
The exception is the far western Aleutians: islands west of 169°30′ W (including Adak) are on Hawaii–Aleutian Time, one hour behind the rest of the state. Unlike Hawaii, that Aleutian strip does observe daylight saving time.
Major AKT cities
Frequently asked questions
Is all of Alaska on Alaska Time?
Nearly all of it. The Aleutian Islands west of 169°30′ W are on Hawaii–Aleutian Time, one hour behind the rest of the state. Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau all use Alaska Time.
Does Alaska observe daylight saving time?
Yes. Clocks move forward at 2:00 AM on the second Sunday of March (AKDT, UTC−8) and back at 2:00 AM on the first Sunday of November (AKST, UTC−9). Full dates on the DST page.
How far behind the East Coast is Alaska?
4 hours, all year round — both zones change to daylight saving time on the same dates. Noon in Anchorage is 4:00 PM in New York. See the AKST to EST chart.