Current Time in Washington, D.C., United States
Exact time synced with atomic clocks (IANA + NTP)
Country
Dialling: +1
City Details
Washington, D.C.
Lat: 38.9072° N
Long: 77.0369° W
Population: 705,000
Time Zone
America/New_York
EDT
Public Holidays in United States
Truman Day
Memorial Day
Juneteenth National Independence Day
Via Nager.Date
Time Difference from You to Washington, D.C.
Business Hours in Washington, D.C.
Sunrise & Sunset in Washington, D.C. Today
Data via sunrisesunset.io
Current Weather in Washington, D.C., United States
Data via Open-Meteo · Updates every 30 min
Moon Phase in Washington, D.C. Tonight
Overview
Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States and the seat of the federal government, with 678,000 residents as of 2024 in a city of just 177 km². The Smithsonian Institution — the world's largest museum and research complex, with 19 museums — offers free admission throughout the National Mall. Despite its relatively small resident population, D.C. receives over 22 million visitors per year.
Administrative Region
District of Columbia (federal district — not part of any state)
US-DC
Local Currency
$
Metadata
- Web Domain.us
- ISO CodeUS-DC
Culture & Daily Life
📜 History & Origins
Congress chose the site on the Potomac River as a compromise location between the northern and southern states in the Residence Act of 1790. President George Washington selected the specific location. The city was designed by French engineer Pierre Charles L'Enfant with a grid plan overlaid with diagonal avenues. The Capitol building was first used in 1800 and burned by British forces in 1814. L'Enfant's original grand design was partially realised in the McMillan Plan of 1901.
🗣️ Languages
👥 Demographics
✨ Leisure Highlights
- •National Mall — Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, reflecting pool
- •Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (free)
- •Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (free)
- •United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (free)
- •Georgetown neighbourhood and the C&O Canal towpath
🎒 Visitor Tip
The Smithsonian Museums on and around the National Mall are free — all of them. The Metro SmarTrip card covers the DC subway system. The Mall itself — from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol — is 3km and best walked. Most monuments are open 24 hours. Book the US Capitol tour and White House tour through your congressional representative well in advance; both are free but tightly controlled. Cherry blossom season around the Tidal Basin (late March–early April) is spectacular.
Geography & Climate
Land & Terrain
Surface area and physical characteristics
Located on the Coastal Plain at the tidal head of the Potomac River, at the fall line where the Piedmont Plateau meets the flat coastal plain. Elevation ranges from sea level at the Potomac to 125m at Fort Reno in the northwest. The original city (below Massachusetts Avenue) is flat; the upper northwest is hilly residential terrain. The Anacostia River forms the eastern boundary of the historic core.
Climate Stats
Humid subtropical (Köppen Cfa)
Avg Summer
27°C
Avg Winter
3°C
Annual Rainfall
1022 mm
Best Months (Sunshine)
Travel & Connectivity
✈️ Nearby AirportsIATA / Distance
🚄 Rail ConnectionsOperator / Distance
Nearby Cities & Excursions
Other times compared to Washington, D.C.
- Washington, D.C. to London time difference
- Washington, D.C. to New York City time difference
- Washington, D.C. to Tokyo time difference
- Washington, D.C. to Dubai time difference
- Washington, D.C. to Paris time difference
- Washington, D.C. to Singapore time difference
- Washington, D.C. to Sydney time difference
- Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles time difference
- Washington, D.C. to Hong Kong time difference
- Washington, D.C. to Chicago time difference
- Washington, D.C. to Mumbai time difference
- Washington, D.C. to São Paulo time difference
- Washington, D.C. to San Francisco time difference
- Washington, D.C. to Toronto time difference
Frequently Asked Questions about time in Washington, D.C.
What timezone is Washington, D.C. in?↓
Washington, D.C. is in the America/New_York time zone (America/New_York), currently UTCEDT.
Does United States observe daylight saving time?↓
No. United States does not observe daylight saving time. Washington, D.C. stays on EST/EDT (UTCEDT) year-round, so the clocks never change.
What is EST/EDT?↓
EST/EDT stands for America/New_York. It is UTCEDT and is the standard time used in United States.
What is the time difference between Washington, D.C. and New York?↓
Washington, D.C. is 5 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 Washington, D.C.?↓
The time displayed for Washington, D.C. 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 UTCEDT mean for Washington, D.C.?↓
UTCEDT means Washington, D.C. is aligned with Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), the global standard for timekeeping.
What are the business hours in Washington, D.C.?↓
Standard business hours in Washington, D.C. are typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM EST/EDT (UTCEDT). Many businesses also operate Saturday mornings. Public holidays follow the United States national calendar.
Is there much time difference between Washington, D.C. and London?↓
Washington, D.C. 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.