PDT vs. PST: When to Use PST vs. PDT with Useful Examples • 7ESL (2024)

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Due to the fact that the Earth is elliptical, while the sun is rising in one part of the planet, there’s sunset in a different one, and this leads to the creation of timezones. Navigating through the different time zones can be quite challenging, especially when it comes to understanding the intricacies of PDT vs. PST.

PDT vs. PST: The Main Differences

Key Takeaways

  • PDT stands for Pacific Daylight Time, and it’s used during the summer.
  • PST stands for Pacific Standard Time, is used during the winter.
PDT vs. PST: When to Use PST vs. PDT with Useful Examples • 7ESL (1)

Understanding Time Zones: PDT vs. PST

Definition of PDT

PDTstands forPacific Daylight Timeand is the time zone used in the western United States during daylight saving time, which typically runs from mid-March to early November. During these months, clocks are set one hour ahead to extend the evening daylight. Thus, PDT isUTC-7 hours.

Definition of PST

PSTstands forPacific Standard Timeand is the standard time zone used during the months when daylight saving time is not in effect. This period runs roughly from early November to mid-March. When we’re on PST, our clocks align with the standard time, which isUTC-8 hours.

PST can also be abbreviated as UTC-8 because it’s eight hours behind the Coordinated Universal Time, and it’s used in such American states as Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Idaho, and California in the winter. In Canada, it’s used in Yukon and throughout the province of British Columbia, with the exception of Invermere, Golden, and Cranbrook. Apart from these territories, Baja California of Mexico also lives according to PST.

Time Zone Conversion

Converting PDT to PST

To convert from PDT to PST,subtract one hour. PDT is one hour ahead of PST. During daylight saving time, locations on PDT will move their clocks back by one hour to transition into PST.

  • Example: If it is 3:00 PM PDT, it will be 2:00 PM PST.

Converting PST to PDT

To convert from PST to PDT,add one hour. PST is one hour behind PDT. When daylight saving begins, clocks are set forward one hour to switch to PDT.

  • Example: If it is 3:00 PM PST, it will be 4:00 PM PDT.

In an attempt to make the days longer, in the summer the time moves one hour ahead. Thus, PST becomes PDT. This transition occurs every year on the second Sunday of March, and everything goes back to the way it was in the first week of November.

So, PST is the time during the winter, and PDT is the time during the summer. It gets confusing because you can’t associate theSwithsummer. If it helps, you can imagine that because it has to do with the time moving, everything is the other way around. Therefore, the abbreviation that has anSdoesn’t refer to the summer but to the winter.

Tips to Remember the Differences

When we’re trying to keep track of the differences between Pacific Standard Time (PST) and Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), it can be handy to use a few helpful mnemonics and reminders.

PST (Pacific Standard Time):

  • Winter time (Standard time)
  • “Standard” refers to the standard or regular time during the colder months.

PDT (Pacific Daylight Time):

  • Summer time (Daylight saving time)
  • “Daylight” signifies the time shift to take advantage of longer daylight hours in the warmer months.

Here’s a quick comparison to keep our understanding clear:

Time ZoneWhen ObservedOffset from UTC
PSTWinterUTC-8 hours
PDTSummerUTC-7 hours

PDT vs. PST Examples

PDT Examples

  • The live webinar will start at 10:00 AMPDTfor participants on the West Coast.
  • Flight 107 is scheduled to depart at 6:45 PMPDTfrom Los Angeles International Airport.
  • The company, based in San Francisco, operates onPDTduring the summer months.
  • The international conference call was coordinated to accommodate various time zones, includingPDT.
  • Please note that the deadline for the submission is midnight on April 20th,PDT.
  • The television premiere will be broadcast at 8:00 PMPDT, so be sure to tune in on time.

PST Examples

  • The live stream will begin at 6:00 PMPSTfor viewers on the West Coast.
  • Please ensure your submissions are in by the 12:00 noonPSTdeadline.
  • Our office hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PMPST, Monday through Friday.
  • The conference call is scheduled to take place at 3:00 PMPST.
  • The television show will broadcast at 7:00 PMPSTin California.
  • The online course will be available starting 8:00 AMPSTon the launch date.

Related Confuse Words With PDT and PST

PDT vs. EST

Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) and Eastern Standard Time (EST) are two different time zones used in North America.

PDT is 3 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-7) and is used during the summer months in the western parts of the United States and Canada, including states such as California, Nevada, and Washington.

EST, on the other hand, is 5 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-5) and is used in the eastern parts of the United States and Canada, including states such as New York, Florida, and Quebec.

The main difference between PDT and EST is the number of hours they are behind Coordinated Universal Time, which results in a time difference of 3 hours between the two zones.

PDT vs. IST

Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) and Indian Standard Time (IST) are two different time zones used in different parts of the world.

PDT is 12 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-7) and is used during the summer months in the western parts of the United States and Canada, including states such as California, Nevada, and Washington.

IST is 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+5:30) and is used in India.

The main difference between PDT and IST is the number of hours and minutes they are ahead or behind Coordinated Universal Time, resulting in a time difference of approximately 12 hours and 30 minutes between the two zones.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between PDT and PST time zones?

PDT, or Pacific Daylight Time, is used during daylight saving time and is 7 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-7). In contrast, PST, or Pacific Standard Time, is used outside of daylight saving times and is 8 hours behind UTC (UTC-8).

How can I convert times from PDT to PST?

To convert from PDT to PST, you would add one hour. For instance, if it’s 3 pm PDT, it would be 4 pm PST.

During which months do we typically use PDT instead of PST?

PDT is typically used from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November when daylight saving time is observed.

If it’s 1 pm in PDT, what time is it in PST?

If it’s 1 pm in PDT, it would then be 2 pm in PST since PDT is one hour ahead of PST.

What is the main purpose of switching between PDT and PST?

The main purpose of switching between PDT and PST is to make better use of daylight during the longer days of the year, effectively conserving energy and offering more daylight hours in the evening during summer months.

How can someone determine if they’re currently in PDT or PST?

One can determine if it’s currently PDT or PST based on daylight saving time dates. If the date is between the second Sunday in March and the first Sunday in November, it’s PDT. Outside of that period, it’s PST. Checking local time announcements or using time zone conversion tools online can also confirm the current time zone.

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