Columbus uses Eastern Time (ET) — UTC−5 in winter (EST) and UTC−4 in summer (EDT). The capital of Ohio, Columbus is a dynamic Midwestern city known for Ohio State University, a thriving arts scene, beautiful parks, and a rapidly growing technology and insurance industry.
Everything you need to know about Columbus's time zone, UTC offset, and Daylight Saving Time schedule.
From the first Sunday of November to the second Sunday of March, Columbus observes EST (UTC−5). This is the standard winter time used across the US East Coast.
From the second Sunday of March to the first Sunday of November, Columbus advances to EDT (UTC−4) — clocks move forward 1 hour, giving longer summer evenings.
The official IANA time zone name for Columbus is America/New_York. This identifier is used in programming, operating systems, and all modern calendar applications.
Spring forward: 9 March 2025 at 02:00 → 03:00
Fall back: 2 November 2025 at 02:00 → 01:00
Spring forward: 8 March 2026 at 02:00 → 03:00
Fall back: 1 November 2026 at 02:00 → 01:00
OSU is one of the largest universities in the US, with over 60,000 students. The Ohio Stadium ("The Horseshoe") is an iconic college football venue.
Columbus has been Ohio's capital since 1816. The historic German Village district features beautifully preserved 19th-century brick homes.
Columbus is the capital and largest city of Ohio, with a population of over 900,000 (metro area over 2.1 million). It is the 14th most populous city in the United States and one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the Midwest.
The city is home to The Ohio State University, a world-renowned public research university. The university's football team, the Buckeyes, plays at the legendary Ohio Stadium (the "Horseshoe"), which seats over 100,000 fans. The university also drives innovation in medicine, engineering, and agriculture.
Columbus has a rich cultural scene. The German Village historic district, just south of downtown, features cobblestone streets, brick houses, and authentic German restaurants. The Short North Arts District is a vibrant corridor of art galleries, boutiques, and nightlife. The Scioto Mile is a beautiful riverfront park with fountains, trails, and the Columbus skyline as a backdrop.
The city is a hub for technology, insurance, and retail. Major employers include Nationwide Insurance, L Brands (parent of Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works), Cardinal Health, and many tech startups. The Ohio Statehouse (completed in 1861) is a stunning Greek Revival building and a National Historic Landmark.
Columbus is also known for its zoo and aquarium. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, led by the late Jack Hanna, is consistently ranked among the best in the nation. Other attractions include the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, the Center of Science and Industry (COSI), and the Columbus Museum of Art.
John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) offers non-stop flights to over 30 destinations, including major hubs like Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, New York, and Orlando.
900,000+ (city) / 2.1M (metro). Capital and largest city of Ohio.
One of the largest universities in the US. "The Horseshoe" stadium holds over 100,000 fans.
Historic brick homes, cobblestone streets, art galleries, and vibrant nightlife.
Greek Revival capitol building, National Historic Landmark, free public tours.
Humid continental. Hot, humid summers (avg. 29°C / 84°F in July), cold, snowy winters (avg. -2°C / 28°F in January).
+1 (US country code). Area codes: 614, 380. Currency: US Dollar (USD, $).
Current time in major cities compared to Columbus. Times update live every second.
Note on DST transitions: The offsets shown above reflect the current live offset, which changes twice a year due to Daylight Saving Time. The US, EU, and other regions change their clocks on different dates, which means the difference between Columbus and a European city can vary by 1 hour for a short period in spring and autumn. Always verify the exact time difference around DST transition dates for critical scheduling.
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Columbus's Eastern Time zone shapes the rhythm of the capital city — from Buckeyes game days to business hours at Nationwide and tech startups. The Eastern Time Zone is home to nearly 150 million people across the US and Canada.
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Common questions about Columbus's time zone, UTC offset, and Daylight Saving Time.