Current Time in São Paulo, Brazil
Exact time synced with atomic clocks (IANA + NTP)
Country
Brasil
Dialling: +55
City Details
São Paulo
Lat: 23.5505° S
Long: 46.6333° W
Population: 12,330,000
Time Zone
America/Sao_Paulo
GMT-3
Public Holidays
Corpus Christi
Jun 4in 15dConstitutionalist Revolution of 1932
Jul 9in 50dIndependence Day
Sep 7in 110d
Time Difference
Business Hours
Daylight Cycle
Data via sunrisesunset.io
Current Weather
Data via Open-Meteo · Updates every 30 min
Overview
São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil and the largest city proper in the entire Southern Hemisphere, with 11.5 million in the city and 22 million in Greater São Paulo as of 2025. It generates more than 10% of Brazil's entire GDP, hosts the largest number of Fortune Global 500 offices in South America, and holds the world's largest LGBTQ+ Pride Parade.
Administrative Region
Southeast Region / São Paulo State
BR-SP
Local Currency
R$
Technical Assets
- Web Domain.br
- ISO CodeBR-SP
Secure Identifier Profile
Culture & Daily Life
📜 History & Origins
Founded on 25 January 1554 by Jesuit missionaries Manuel da Nóbrega and José de Anchieta on the anniversary of the conversion of Saint Paul, giving the city its name. For three centuries it remained a small missionary outpost. Its dramatic growth began in the 1880s when São Paulo became the export hub for Brazil's coffee boom, and accelerated further with early 20th-century industrialisation.
🗣️ Languages
👥 Demographics
✨ Leisure Highlights
- /MASP (Museu de Arte de São Paulo) on Avenida Paulista
- /Ibirapuera Park — São Paulo's central green lung
- /Vila Madalena street art and Beco do Batman
- /Mercado Municipal (Mercadão) for food
- /Liberdade district — largest Japanese diaspora neighbourhood outside Japan
🎒 Visitor Tip
São Paulo rewards curiosity — each neighbourhood has a distinct character. Vila Madalena is the best area for street art, galleries and nightlife; Liberdade is the Japanese quarter and has excellent Asian food all week; Jardins is upmarket and safe. The metro system is clean and covers most tourist areas. The city is vast — choose one or two zones per day rather than trying to cross it.
Geography & Climate
Land & Terrain
Surface area and physical characteristics
Sits on a broad plateau of the Brazilian Highlands at an average elevation of 799m above sea level, despite being only 70km from the Atlantic coast. The terrain is hilly and cut through by three major rivers — the Tietê, Pinheiros, and Tamanduateí. Surrounded by the Serra do Mar escarpment to the southeast. The higher ground is preferred for residential use; river valleys host industry.
Climate Stats
Humid subtropical highland (Köppen Cfb/Cfa border)
Avg Summer
23°C
Avg Winter
15°C
Annual Rainfall
1454 mm
Best Months (Sunshine)
Travel & Connectivity
✈️ Nearby AirportsIATA / DISTANCE
🚄 Rail ConnectionsCITY / DISTANCE
Regional Satellites
Other times compared to São Paulo
Frequently Asked Questions about time in São Paulo
What timezone is São Paulo in?↓
São Paulo 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. São Paulo 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 São Paulo compared to London?↓
São Paulo 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 São Paulo and New York?↓
São Paulo 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 São Paulo?↓
The time displayed for São Paulo 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 São Paulo?↓
UTCGMT-3 means São Paulo is 3 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), the global standard for timekeeping.
What are the business hours in São Paulo?↓
Standard business hours in São Paulo 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 São Paulo and London?↓
São Paulo 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.