Current time in Alabama
Central Time UTC−6 · one zone statewide
Alabama's time zone
Alabama runs entirely on Central Time: CST (UTC−6) in winter and CDT (UTC−5) from the second Sunday of March to the first Sunday of November. The Georgia state line doubles as the Eastern/Central boundary, so official clocks jump forward an hour the moment you cross it.
One quirk sits on that border: Phenix City, opposite Columbus, Georgia, informally keeps Eastern Time so local schedules match its larger neighbor, even though it is legally on Central Time. Everywhere else the state is uniform — Huntsville, Birmingham, Montgomery, and Mobile all read the same clock, one hour behind New York.
| Standard time | CST, UTC−6 |
|---|---|
| Daylight time | CDT, UTC−5 |
| IANA zone | America/Chicago |
| vs New York | +1 h |
| vs Los Angeles | −2 h |
| vs Honolulu | −4 / −5 h |
Time in Alabama cities
Each city page has a live clock plus sunrise, sunset, and DST details.
Frequently asked questions
Is all of Alabama in the same time zone?
Officially yes — every county is on Central Time. The only wrinkle is Phenix City, which informally follows Eastern Time to stay in step with Columbus, Georgia, just across the Chattahoochee River.
What's the time difference between Alabama and New York?
Alabama is 1 hour behind New York all year. Noon in Birmingham is 1:00 PM in New York. Full chart: CST to EST.
Does Alabama observe daylight saving time?
Yes. Clocks move forward at 2:00 AM on the second Sunday of March and back at 2:00 AM on the first Sunday of November. Dates through 2030 are on the DST page.