Current time in Washington
Pacific Time UTC−8 · one zone statewide
Washington's time zone
Washington State lies wholly within Pacific Time: PST (UTC−8) in winter and PDT (UTC−7) from the second Sunday of March to the first Sunday of November. Seattle on Puget Sound and Spokane near the Idaho line, 280 miles apart, always show the same hour.
The Pacific zone continues a short way past the state's eastern border, because Idaho's northern panhandle — including Coeur d'Alene — also keeps Pacific Time; the change to Mountain Time comes farther into Idaho. In 2019 Washington's legislature passed a law to adopt year-round daylight time, but like similar laws in Oregon and California it waits on an act of Congress, so the state still switches twice a year.
| Standard time | PST, UTC−8 |
|---|---|
| Daylight time | PDT, UTC−7 |
| IANA zone | America/Los_Angeles |
| vs New York | +3 h |
| vs Chicago | +2 h |
| vs Honolulu | −2 / −3 h |
Time in Washington cities
Every page below has a live clock plus sunrise, sunset, and DST details for that city.
Frequently asked questions
Is all of Washington in the same time zone?
Yes — every county in Washington State is on Pacific Time, and even the adjoining Idaho panhandle keeps the same clock.
What is the time difference between Washington State and New York?
Washington is 3 hours behind New York all year: 9:00 AM in Seattle is noon in New York. Full chart: PST to EST.
Does Washington observe daylight saving time?
Yes. Despite a 2019 state law for permanent daylight time, federal law still requires the March and November changes. Dates: DST page.