The Time in Alabama

For those asking "what time is it in Alabama?", the answer is refreshingly consistent. The Heart of Dixie operates almost entirely on a single, unified time, creating a simple and reliable standard for the entire state.

Central Time Zone

Alabama is located squarely in the Central Time Zone. This means its local time is based on two seasonal settings, determined by Daylight Saving Time:

• Central Standard Time (CST): The time during fall and winter, set at **UTC-6**.
• Central Daylight Time (CDT): The time during spring and summer, set at **UTC-5**.

Daylight Saving Observance

Alabama observes Daylight Saving Time in sync with the majority of the United States. Clocks are set forward one hour on the second Sunday in March and turned back one hour on the first Sunday in November. Our live clock above automatically reflects which standard is currently in effect.

A Unique Exception

While the state is officially in the Central Time Zone, there is one notable exception. **Phenix City**, in Russell County, unofficially observes Eastern Time. This is due to its extremely close economic and social ties to the much larger neighboring city of Columbus, Georgia. For all other practical purposes, the rest of Alabama is on Central Time.

Alabama Time vs. Others

Understanding Alabama's time relative to other major U.S. hubs is key for coordination. At any given moment, Alabama is:

• 1 hour ahead of the Mountain Time Zone (e.g., Denver).
• 2 hours ahead of the Pacific Time Zone (e.g., Los Angeles).
• 1 hour behind the Eastern Time Zone (e.g., New York).