Current time in Nebraska
Central Time UTC−6 · two zones: CT & MT
Nebraska's time zones
Nebraska is split between two zones. Roughly the western third — the Panhandle and range country from about Cherry County westward, including Scottsbluff and Sidney — keeps Mountain Time (MST, UTC−7), while the rest of the state, with Omaha, Lincoln, and Grand Island, keeps Central Time (CST, UTC−6).
Drivers on Interstate 80 cross the line between North Platte, on Central Time, and Ogallala, on Mountain Time — clocks go back an hour heading west. Since both halves observe daylight saving on the national dates, the one-hour gap between Scottsbluff and Omaha holds steady all year.
| Standard time | CST, UTC−6 (Panhandle: MST, UTC−7) |
|---|---|
| Daylight time | CDT, UTC−5 (Panhandle: MDT, UTC−6) |
| IANA zone | America/Chicago |
| vs New York | +1 h |
| vs Denver | −1 h |
| vs Los Angeles | −2 h |
Time in Nebraska cities
Live clocks and daily sun times for Nebraska's two biggest cities, both on Central Time.
Frequently asked questions
Does Nebraska have two time zones?
Yes. Roughly the western third — the Panhandle from about Cherry County westward, including Scottsbluff and Sidney — keeps Mountain Time, while Omaha, Lincoln, and the rest of the state keep Central Time.
How far behind New York is Nebraska?
Central Time Nebraska runs 1 hour behind New York; the Mountain Time Panhandle runs 2 hours behind. Noon in Omaha is 1:00 PM in New York. Chart: CST to EST.
Does Nebraska change clocks for daylight saving time?
Yes, in both zones, on the national dates: forward at 2:00 AM on the second Sunday of March, back on the first Sunday of November. Details on the DST page.