Difference Between PST and EST

Main Difference – PST vs EST

PST and EST are two time zones that affect the American continent. PST stands for Pacific Standard Time whereas EST stands for Eastern Standard Time. The main difference between PST and EST is that PST is 8 hours behind the UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) whereas EST is 5 hours behind the UTC.

This article explains,

1. What is PST (Pacific Standard Time)?
     – Definition, Offset Time, Regions under PST Time Zone

2. What is EST (Eastern Standard Time)?
     – Definition, Offset Time, Regions under EST Time Zone

3. What is the difference between EST and EST?

Difference Between PST and EST - Pacific vs. Eastern Standard Time Comparison Summary

What is PST

PST is also known as Pacific Standard Time or Pacific Time. This time zone is 8 hours behind the Coordinated Universal Time – UTC. This is also indicated as UTC -8.  Time in this zone is calculated using the mean solar time of the 120th meridian west of the Greenwich Observatory. PST is used during the standard time in some parts of North America. It is typically used during winter because PDT (Pacific Daylight Time) is used during the summer since some areas use daylight saving time. During PDT, the time offset of this zone is UTC-7.

PST = UTC – 8

PDT = UTC – 7

The following regions or areas use the Pacific Standard Time:

Regions in USA under PST Time Zone

California

Washington

Nevada

Oregon (except Malheur county)

Idaho Panhandle

Regions in Canada under PST Time Zone

British Columbia (except some eastern communities)

Yukon

Tungsten

Northwest Territories

Areas in Mexico under PST Time Zone

Baja California

There are some other time zones that have the same offset time as PST but have different names. These time zones are

U – Uniform Time Zone

AKDT – Alaska Daylight Time

PST – Pitcairn Standard Time

Difference Between PST and EST

Pacific Time Zone is in Red

What is EST

EST, Eastern Standard Time or Eastern Time is 5 hours behind the UCT (Coordinated Universal Time). The time offset of EST is UTC-5. EST is used during the standard time in some areas of North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.

EST = UTC – 5

The following regions or areas use the Eastern Standard Time:

Regions in USA under EST Time Zone

District of Columbia

17 states in including Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Delaware, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and South Carolina.

Some parts of Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, and Tennessee.

Regions in Canada under EST Time Zone

Most parts of Ontario, Quebec and Nunavut

Areas in Mexico under EST Time Zone

Quintana Roo

Areas in Caribbean under EST Time Zone

Bahamas

Haiti

Jamaica

Areas in Central America under EST Time Zone

Panama

Colombia

Ecuador (except for Galápagos Islands)

Peru

Some regions observe daylight saving time during the summer, and therefore EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) is used in the summer. EDT is 4 hours behind the Coordinated Universal Time. However, some places such as Quintana Roo, Jamaica, Panama, Southampton Island in Nunavut use EST throughout the year.

Difference Between EDT and EST

There are some other time zones that have the same offset time as EST but have different names. These time zones are

NAEST – North American Eastern Standard Time

ACT – Acre Time

CDT – Central Daylight Time

CST – Cuba Standard Time

CIST – Cayman Islands Standard Time

EASST – Easter Island Summer Time

ECT – Ecuador Time

PET – Peru Time

R – Romeo Time Zone

COT – Colombia Time

Main Difference - PST vs EST

Eastern Time Zone is in light orange color

Difference Between PST and EST

Name

PST: PST is short for Pacific Standard Time.

EST: EST is short for Eastern Standard Time.

Time

PST: PST is 8 hours behind UTC.

EST: EST is 5 hours behind UTC.

Time offset

PST: Time offset of PST is UTC-8.

EST: Time offset of EST is UTC-5.

Regions

PST: PST is used in some regions of the U.S.A, Canada, and Mexico.

EST: EST is used in some regions of the U.S.A, Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.

Daylight Saving Time

PST: Pacific Time Zone uses PDT (Pacific Daylight Time) during the summer.

EST: Eastern Time Zone uses EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) during the summer.

Seasons

PST: PST is used during the winter in most places.

EST: EST is used in the winter in some places, but it is used throughout the year in Quintana Roo, Jamaica, Panama, and Southampton Island in Nunavut.

Image Courtesy:

“Pst” By The original uploader was Adam850 at English Wikipedia – Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by VictorAnyakin., Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia

“Timezoneswest” By CIA World Factbook – Source: CIA World Factbook, uncopyrighted.PDF version (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia

About the Author: Hasa

Hasanthi is a seasoned content writer and editor with over 8 years of experience. Armed with a BA degree in English and a knack for digital marketing, she explores her passions for literature, history, culture, and food through her engaging and informative writing.

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