Current Time in Moscow, Russia
Москва
Exact time synced with atomic clocks (IANA + NTP)
Country
Россия
Dialling: +7
City Details
Moscow
Москва
Lat: 55.7558° N
Long: 37.6173° E
Population: 11,920,000
Time Zone
Europe/Moscow
GMT+3
Public Holidays
Russia Day
Jun 12in 23dUnity Day
Nov 4in 168dNew Year's Day
Jan 1in 226d
Time Difference
Business Hours
Daylight Cycle
Data via sunrisesunset.io
Current Weather
Data via Open-Meteo · Updates every 30 min
Overview
Moscow is the capital and largest city of Russia, with 13.3 million residents as of 2025, making it the most populous city entirely within Europe. It is Russia's political, economic, cultural and scientific hub, home to the Kremlin, the world's busiest metro system in Europe, and 68 museums across 2,561 km².
Administrative Region
Central Federal District (Moscow is a separate federal subject)
RU-MOW
Local Currency
₽
Technical Assets
- Web Domain.ru
- ISO CodeRU-MOW
Secure Identifier Profile
Culture & Daily Life
📜 History & Origins
First mentioned in chronicles on 4 April 1147, when Prince Yury Dolgoruky hosted allies at a settlement on the Moskva River. It became the capital of the Grand Principality of Moscow in the late 13th century and served as the capital of the Soviet Union from 1918 to 1991, following which it became the capital of the Russian Federation.
🗣️ Languages
👥 Demographics
✨ Leisure Highlights
- /Red Square, the Kremlin and St. Basil's Cathedral (UNESCO)
- /Bolshoi Theatre — book tickets well in advance
- /Tretyakov Gallery — Russia's greatest collection of Russian art
- /Gorky Park and the Muzeon open-air sculpture park
- /Moscow Metro architecture tour
🎒 Visitor Tip
Get a Troika card for the metro — Moscow's subway is extensive, fast, and the stations themselves are remarkable examples of Soviet-era architecture. Red Square, the Kremlin and St. Basil's Cathedral are walkable from each other and should be your first stop. Bring cash; many smaller places don't accept foreign cards. January temperatures average -10°C, so dress accordingly.
Geography & Climate
Land & Terrain
Surface area and physical characteristics
Located on the East European Plain in western Russia, built around the Moskva River basin. The city is relatively flat, ranging from 130m to 253m elevation. The Sparrow Hills (Vorobyovy Gory) in the southwest represent the highest ground in the urban core at 253m. Surrounded by extensive coniferous and mixed forest — over 40% of the city's territory is green space.
Climate Stats
Humid continental (Köppen Dfb)
Avg Summer
20°C
Avg Winter
-10°C
Annual Rainfall
707 mm
Best Months (Sunshine)
Travel & Connectivity
✈️ Nearby AirportsIATA / DISTANCE
🚄 Rail ConnectionsCITY / DISTANCE
Regional Satellites
Other times compared to Moscow
Frequently Asked Questions about time in Moscow
What timezone is Moscow in?↓
Moscow is in the Europe/Moscow time zone (Europe/Moscow), currently UTCGMT+3.
Does Russia observe daylight saving time?↓
No. Russia does not observe daylight saving time. Moscow stays on MSK (UTCGMT+3) year-round, so the clocks never change.
What is MSK?↓
MSK stands for Europe/Moscow. It is UTCGMT+3 and is the standard time used in Russia.
How many hours ahead is Moscow compared to London?↓
Moscow is 3 hours ahead of London (GMT). During UK summer (BST), the difference reduces by 1 hour to 2 hours.
What is the time difference between Moscow and New York?↓
Moscow is 8 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 Moscow?↓
The time displayed for Moscow 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 Moscow?↓
UTCGMT+3 means Moscow is 3 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), the global standard for timekeeping.
What are the business hours in Moscow?↓
Standard business hours in Moscow are typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM MSK (UTCGMT+3). Many businesses also operate Saturday mornings. Public holidays follow the Russia national calendar.
Is there much time difference between Moscow and London?↓
Moscow 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.