Current Time in Brasília, Brazil
Exact time synced with atomic clocks (IANA + NTP)
Country
Brasil
Dialling: +55
City Details
Brasília
Lat: 15.7801° S
Long: 47.9292° W
Population: 3,055,149
Time Zone
America/Sao_Paulo
GMT-3
Public Holidays
Constitutionalist Revolution of 1932
Jul 9in 11dIndependence Day
Sep 7in 71dOur Lady of Aparecida
Oct 12in 106d
Time Difference
Business Hours
Daylight Cycle
Data via sunrisesunset.io
Current Weather
Data via Open-Meteo · Updates every 30 min
Overview
Brasília is the capital of Brazil, purpose-built and inaugurated on 21 April 1960. Home to 3 million in the Federal District, it is the only city built in the 20th century to achieve UNESCO World Heritage status (1987), recognised for its modernist urban planning by Lúcio Costa and architecture by Oscar Niemeyer. Located in the cerrado (Brazilian savanna) of the Central-West region, it was built to relocate the capital from the coast to the interior.
Administrative Region
Federal District (Distrito Federal)
BR-DF
Local Currency
R$
Technical Assets
- Web Domain.br
- ISO CodeBR-DF
Secure Identifier Profile
Culture & Daily Life
📜 History & Origins
The decision to build a new inland capital was embedded in Brazil's first constitution (1891), but it was President Juscelino Kubitschek who made it happen with extraordinary speed: Brasília was planned, built, and inaugurated in just 41 months (1956–1960). Urban planner Lúcio Costa designed the city in the shape of an aeroplane or bird from the air. Architect Oscar Niemeyer designed the landmark buildings — the National Congress, Presidential Palace, and Supreme Court — in a revolutionary modernist vocabulary. Hundreds of thousands of workers (candangos) migrated from the impoverished Northeast to build it.
🗣️ Languages
✨ Leisure Highlights
- /National Congress — twin towers and twin domes by Niemeyer
- /Cathedral of Brasília — hyperboloid architecture, stunning interior
- /TV Tower observation deck — free views of the urban plan
- /JK Memorial — story of Brasília's founding
- /Lake Paranoá — sailing, kayaking, lakeside dining
🎒 Visitor Tip
Rent a car or use Uber — Brasília is designed for vehicles and public transport is limited for tourists. The Monumental Axis vista from the TV Tower (free, open weekends) reveals the famous urban plan from the air. Niemeyer's buildings are best visited as a circuit: the National Congress dome, Itamaraty Palace, and the Cathedral of Brasília. The Juscelino Kubitschek Memorial tells the founding story compellingly. Sunsets over Lake Paranoá are spectacular.
Geography & Climate
Land & Terrain
Surface area and physical characteristics
Situated on the Central Plateau (Planalto Central) at approximately 1,172m elevation, on the shores of the artificial Lake Paranoá created by damming the Paranoá River. The flat plateau gives way to a gentle bowl-shaped terrain around the lake. The cerrado vegetation — Brazil's tropical savanna — covers the Federal District outside the urban area. The high altitude moderates temperatures despite the tropical latitude.
Climate Stats
Tropical savanna (Köppen Aw) — distinct wet and dry seasons
Avg Summer
26°C
Avg Winter
22°C
Annual Rainfall
1560 mm
Best Months (Sunshine)
Travel & Connectivity
✈️ Nearby AirportsIATA / DISTANCE
🚄 Rail ConnectionsCITY / DISTANCE
Regional Satellites
Other times compared to Brasília
Frequently Asked Questions about time in Brasília
What timezone is Brasília in?↓
Brasília is in the America/Sao_Paulo time zone (America/Sao_Paulo), currently UTCGMT-3.
Does Brazil observe daylight saving time?↓
No. Brazil does not observe daylight saving time. Brasília stays on BRT/BRST (UTCGMT-3) year-round, so the clocks never change.
What is BRT/BRST?↓
BRT/BRST stands for America/Sao_Paulo. It is UTCGMT-3 and is the standard time used in Brazil.
How many hours behind is Brasília compared to London?↓
Brasília is 3 hours behind London (GMT). During UK summer (BST), the difference increases by 1 hour to 4 hours behind.
What is the time difference between Brasília and New York?↓
Brasília is 2 hours ahead of New York (EST). When New York switches to EDT in summer, the difference decreases by 1 hour.
How accurate is the time shown for Brasília?↓
The time displayed for Brasília is synced with atomic clock sources via NTP (Network Time Protocol) and uses IANA timezone data to ensure accuracy to the second. It automatically reflects any daylight saving time changes.
What does UTCGMT-3 mean for Brasília?↓
UTCGMT-3 means Brasília is 3 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), the global standard for timekeeping.
What are the business hours in Brasília?↓
Standard business hours in Brasília are typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM BRT/BRST (UTCGMT-3). Many businesses also operate Saturday mornings. Public holidays follow the Brazil national calendar.
Is there much time difference between Brasília and London?↓
Brasília is within a few hours of London, so scheduling calls is usually straightforward. Always confirm the current local time in both cities, especially around daylight saving time changes.