Current Time in London, United Kingdom
London operates on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT, UTC+0) during winter and British Summer Time (BST, UTC+1) during summer. In 2026, clocks spring forward on the last Sunday of March (29 March) and fall back on the last Sunday of October (25 October). The London Stock Exchange trades from 08:00 to 16:30 local time (GMT/BST). Time differences: New York is 5 hours behind London (EST/EDT), Dubai is 3-4 hours ahead, Delhi is 4.5-5.5 hours ahead, and Sydney is 9-11 hours ahead depending on daylight saving. For a world clock view, visit Time.now.
Current Time Zone and UTC Offset in London
London's standard time is Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), which is UTC+0. During British Summer Time (BST), the offset becomes UTC+1. The transition to BST occurs at 01:00 GMT on the last Sunday of March, and the return to GMT at 02:00 BST on the last Sunday of October. This practice aligns with the European Union's daylight saving schedule, though the UK has its own legislation. For a detailed comparison, see GMT vs UTC.
Daylight Saving Time (DST) in London
DST in London begins on 29 March 2026 at 01:00 GMT, when clocks move forward to 02:00 BST. It ends on 25 October 2026 at 02:00 BST, when clocks fall back to 01:00 GMT. The annual pattern has been observed since 1916, with occasional variations during World War II and the 1970s oil crisis. The rationale is to extend evening daylight during warmer months, reducing energy consumption and encouraging outdoor activities. However, debates continue about the health and economic impacts of the clock change.
Time Differences Between London and Major World Cities
| City | Standard Time Difference (GMT) | DST Difference (BST) |
|---|---|---|
| New York (EST/EDT) | -5 hours | -5 hours |
| Dubai (GST) | +4 hours | +3 hours |
| Delhi (IST) | +5.5 hours | +4.5 hours |
| Sydney (AEST/AEDT) | +11 hours | +9 hours |
| Los Angeles (PST/PDT) | -8 hours | -8 hours |
| Tokyo (JST) | +9 hours | +8 hours |
Note: During DST, the difference between London and cities that do not observe DST (like Dubai) changes. Also, the US and Australia have different DST start/end dates, so the actual difference can vary by one hour for a few weeks each year. For real-time comparisons, use TimeRight.Now or CurrentTime.now.
Time Zones in Other UK Cities
All of the United Kingdom uses the same time zone (GMT/BST). For example, the Time in Manchester is identical to London. Similarly, Time in Edinburgh and Time in Glasgow match London's time. There is no regional variation within the UK, although the Channel Islands and Isle of Man also follow GMT/BST.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current time in London right now?
The current local time in London is displayed at the top of this page. It updates automatically and reflects the correct time zone (GMT or BST) based on the date.
Does London observe daylight saving time?
Yes, London observes British Summer Time (BST) from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October. During BST, clocks are set one hour ahead of GMT.
What is the time difference between London and New York?
During standard time, London is 5 hours ahead of New York. When both are on daylight saving time, the difference remains 5 hours because both shift by one hour. However, the transition dates differ, so there are brief periods when the difference is 4 hours.
Is London on GMT or BST right now?
Check the current date. If it is between the last Sunday of March and the last Sunday of October, London is on BST (UTC+1). Otherwise, it is on GMT (UTC+0). The live clock at the top of this page shows the correct time.
What is the UTC offset for London?
London's UTC offset is UTC+0 during GMT and UTC+1 during BST. The offset is sometimes written as UTC+00:00 or UTC+01:00.
Does the whole UK have the same time?
Yes, the entire United Kingdom, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, uses the same time zone. The British Summer Time (BST) page provides more details.