Current Time in Johannesburg, South Africa
Exact time synced with atomic clocks (IANA + NTP)
Country
Dialling: +27
City Details
Johannesburg
Lat: 26.2041° S
Long: 28.0473° E
Population: 957,000
Time Zone
Africa/Johannesburg
GMT+2
Public Holidays in South Africa
Family Day
Freedom Day
Workers' Day
Via Nager.Date
Time Difference from You to Johannesburg
Business Hours in Johannesburg
Sunrise & Sunset in Johannesburg Today
Data via sunrisesunset.io
Current Weather in Johannesburg, South Africa
Data via Open-Meteo · Updates every 30 min
Moon Phase in Johannesburg Tonight
Overview
Johannesburg — known locally as Joburg or Jozi — is South Africa's largest city and the capital of Gauteng Province, with 5.8 million residents as of 2025 across 1,645 km². It is the world's largest inland city not situated on a river, lake or coastline, founded entirely on the discovery of gold in 1886. The city generates approximately 16% of South Africa's GDP and is considered the financial capital of the African continent.
Administrative Region
Gauteng Province
ZA-GP
Local Currency
R
Metadata
- Web Domain.za
- ISO CodeZA-GP
Culture & Daily Life
📜 History & Origins
Founded on 4 October 1886 following the discovery of the world's largest gold reef — the Witwatersrand — on the farm Langlaagte. The settlement grew from a mining camp to a city of 100,000 within a decade. It became an autonomous municipality in 1897. During the apartheid era, forced removals created surrounding townships including Soweto (South-Western Townships), home to key figures of the anti-apartheid movement including Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu.
🗣️ Languages
👥 Demographics
✨ Leisure Highlights
- •Apartheid Museum
- •Soweto — Vilakazi Street, Mandela House and Hector Pieterson Museum
- •Constitution Hill and the Constitutional Court
- •Neighbourgoods Market, Braamfontein (Saturday mornings)
- •Lion and Safari Park day trip
🎒 Visitor Tip
Rent a car or use Uber — public transport outside the Rea Vaya BRT is unreliable and security varies. Stay in Sandton, Rosebank or Melville for safe, walkable neighbourhoods. The Apartheid Museum is the most important attraction and requires at least three hours. Soweto is best visited with a reputable local guide. The city sits at 1,750m elevation, so the air is thinner than expected — some visitors feel mild altitude symptoms.
Geography & Climate
Land & Terrain
Surface area and physical characteristics
Located on the Highveld plateau of the Witwatersrand ridge at an average elevation of 1,753m above sea level. The city sits on a broad, relatively flat plateau underlaid by the world's largest gold-bearing reef. The distinctive mine dumps — pale yellow quartzite tailings from a century of gold mining — dot the southern suburbs. Several small ridges and drainage patterns create gentle relief across the urban area. No major rivers pass through the city.
Climate Stats
Subtropical highland (Köppen Cwb)
Avg Summer
24°C
Avg Winter
12°C
Annual Rainfall
713 mm
Best Months (Sunshine)
Travel & Connectivity
✈️ Nearby AirportsIATA / Distance
🚄 Rail ConnectionsOperator / Distance
Nearby Cities & Excursions
Other times compared to Johannesburg
Frequently Asked Questions about time in Johannesburg
What timezone is Johannesburg in?↓
Johannesburg is in the Africa/Johannesburg time zone (Africa/Johannesburg), currently UTCGMT+2.
Does South Africa observe daylight saving time?↓
No. South Africa does not observe daylight saving time. Johannesburg stays on SAST (UTCGMT+2) year-round, so the clocks never change.
What is SAST?↓
SAST stands for Africa/Johannesburg. It is UTCGMT+2 and is the standard time used in South Africa.
How many hours ahead is Johannesburg compared to London?↓
Johannesburg is 2 hours ahead of London (GMT). During UK summer (BST), the difference reduces by 1 hour to 1 hour.
What is the time difference between Johannesburg and New York?↓
Johannesburg is 7 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 Johannesburg?↓
The time displayed for Johannesburg 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+2 mean for Johannesburg?↓
UTCGMT+2 means Johannesburg is 2 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), the global standard for timekeeping.
What are the business hours in Johannesburg?↓
Standard business hours in Johannesburg are typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM SAST (UTCGMT+2). Many businesses also operate Saturday mornings. Public holidays follow the South Africa national calendar.
Is there much time difference between Johannesburg and London?↓
Johannesburg 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.