When coordinating meetings and travel across different time zones, the acronyms EST and MST can lead to scheduling confusion. What exactly is the difference between Eastern Standard Time and Mountain Standard Time? Understanding the distinctions can help ensure punctuality.
Defining EST – Eastern Standard Time
EST stands for Eastern Standard Time. This time zone includes states in the northeastern U.S. like New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, as well as parts of Canada including Ontario and Quebec.
When it is 12 noon EST, the time in these eastern states and provinces is 12:00 PM. EST is 5 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and 2 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time (PST).
During daylight saving time in summer months, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) is observed, which is 1 hour ahead of EST. The transition occurs on the second Sunday in March and reverts back to EST on the first Sunday in November.
Some key facts about the EST time zone:
- Does not observe daylight saving time changes
- Mainly covers the northeast region of the U.S.
- 5 hours behind UTC
- 2 hours ahead of PST
- 12 PM noon in New York City, Toronto, etc.
Defining MST – Mountain Standard Time
MST stands for Mountain Standard Time. This zone covers states in the Rocky Mountains and western U.S. including Montana, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and portions of Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, Oregon, and Mexico.
When it is 12 noon MST, the time in these mountain region states is 12:00 PM. MST is 7 hours behind UTC and 1 hour ahead of PST.
Like EST, during summer months most of the MST zone uses daylight saving time, shifting to MDT, which adds an extra hour. MST returns in fall when clocks “fall back.”
Key facts about the MST time zone:
- 7 hours behind UTC
- 1 hour ahead of PST
- Includes Rocky Mountains states and parts of western U.S.
- 12 PM noon in Denver, Phoenix, Albuquerque
- Uses MDT for daylight saving time in summer
Comparing EST and MST
When directly comparing EST to MST, a few key differences stand out:
- MST is 2 hours behind EST. This means when it’s 3 PM in New York, it’s 1 PM in Denver.
- During daylight saving time, MST (as MDT) is 3 hours behind EST (as EDT).
- Noon in New York happens at 10 AM in Utah. 8 AM in Toronto is 6 AM in Arizona.
- Scheduling an 8 AM EST conference call requires a 6 AM MST call-in time.
- Flying from Colorado to Boston gains you 2 hours. Flying from Boston to Arizona loses you 3 hours.
So in summary, MST is two hours behind EST, or three hours during daylight saving time. Keeping the hours’ difference straight is key for punctual travel, scheduling, and communicating across these time zones.
