Are EDT and EST the Same?
No. Both refer to the Eastern Time zone but at different times of year:
- EST (Eastern Standard Time): UTC-5. Winter — first Sunday of November to second Sunday of March.
- EDT (Eastern Daylight Time): UTC-4. Summer — second Sunday of March to first Sunday of November.
The difference is exactly one hour. EDT is one hour ahead of EST.
2026 Switch Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| EST to EDT | March 8, 2026 |
| EDT to EST | November 1, 2026 |
Quick Answer
EST is UTC-5 (winter), EDT is UTC-4 (summer). Use "ET" when you don't want to specify which one.
