EST to PST Converter
Offset
PST behind
Quick Answer
PST is 3 hours behind EST — always.
Subtract 3 hours to convert EST → PST. This never changes, even during daylight saving time.
EST to PST — Subtract 3 Hours
Converting Eastern to Pacific time is simple: subtract 3 hours. If it's 3:00 PM in New York, it's 12:00 PM (noon) in Los Angeles. This 3-hour difference is constant throughout the year since both zones change clocks on the same dates.
Common Conversions
- 9 AM EST = 6 AM PST
- 12 PM EST = 9 AM PST
- 3 PM EST = 12 PM (noon) PST
- 6 PM EST = 3 PM PST
- 9 PM EST = 6 PM PST
- 12 AM EST = 9 PM PST (previous day)
TV & Entertainment Scheduling
Network TV shows advertised at Eastern times air 3 hours later on the West Coast for live events, but many shows are tape-delayed to air at the same local time (e.g., "9/8c" means 9 PM ET, 8 PM CT, and 9 PM PT on tape delay).
Sports Event Scheduling
Major sports events are typically listed in ET. An NFL game at "1:00 PM ET" kicks off at 10:00 AM PT. Prime-time games at 8:20 PM ET start at 5:20 PM PT — still during the workday on the West Coast. Understanding this is essential for West Coast fans and advertisers.
Business Implications
East Coast businesses closing at 5 PM ET means it's only 2 PM PT — West Coast teams still have 3 hours of working time remaining. This makes the EST→PST direction critical for deadline management: an "end of business" deadline in New York hits while California is still mid-afternoon.
Related Tools
- PST to EST Converter — Reverse direction
- London to EST Converter — UK to US conversion
- San Francisco Time Now — Pacific Time live clock