Current time in Massachusetts
Eastern Time UTC−5 · one zone statewide
Massachusetts's time zone
Massachusetts runs on Eastern Time from Cape Cod to the Berkshires: EST (UTC−5) in winter and EDT (UTC−4) from the second Sunday of March to the first Sunday of November, with no zone split anywhere in the state.
Because Massachusetts sits near the eastern rim of the zone, solar noon arrives early and Boston's December sunsets fall around 4:15 PM. A 2017 state commission studied shifting to year-round Atlantic Standard Time (UTC−4) to push winter sunsets later, recommending the move only if neighboring Northeastern states went along — none have, so the clocks still change twice a year.
| Standard time | EST, UTC−5 |
|---|---|
| Daylight time | EDT, UTC−4 |
| IANA zone | America/New_York |
| vs Chicago | −1 h |
| vs Denver | −2 h |
| vs Los Angeles | −3 h |
Time in Massachusetts cities
Each city below carries a live clock along with local sunrise, sunset, and DST information.
Frequently asked questions
Does all of Massachusetts use the same time zone?
Yes — Eastern Time covers the entire state, from Cape Cod to the Berkshires. EST (UTC−5) applies in winter and EDT (UTC−4) from the second Sunday of March to the first Sunday of November.
How far ahead is Massachusetts of California?
Three hours in every season. A 12:00 PM meeting in Boston is 9:00 AM in San Francisco or Los Angeles. Hour-by-hour chart: EST to PST.
Does Massachusetts still observe daylight saving time?
Yes. A 2017 state commission studied year-round Atlantic Standard Time, but no change was adopted, so clocks still move on the national dates listed on the DST page.