Eastern Time (ET)
Boston operates on Eastern Time (ET). Boston observes Daylight Saving Time, springing forward one hour in March and falling back in November. During DST, the abbreviation changes to reflect the shift.
Time Zone: Eastern Time (ET) — Standard Offset: UTC-5 (EST) — DST Offset: UTC-4 (EDT)
Country: United States
This city observes Daylight Saving Time, so the UTC offset changes twice per year. Always verify the current offset when scheduling across time zones.
Boston operates on Eastern Time, shared with New York and the Eastern Seaboard. The city is home to Harvard, MIT, and dozens of other universities, plus the largest biotech cluster in the world. Kendall Square in Cambridge has been called the most innovative square mile on Earth. Biotech and pharmaceutical companies here coordinate globally — clinical trials, regulatory submissions, and research collaborations all run on ET.
Boston's financial sector, centered on Fidelity Investments and State Street Corporation, operates on Wall Street hours. The Boston area manages trillions in assets, making it one of the world's largest asset management hubs. ET alignment with New York means seamless coordination between Boston and NYC financial markets.
Massachusetts observes DST following the US standard schedule. There have been legislative discussions about Massachusetts adopting permanent Eastern Daylight Time (effectively joining the Atlantic Time Zone year-round), which would put Boston 1 hour ahead of New York during winter. The proposal has stalled due to coordination concerns with neighboring states.
Boston's academic calendar drives significant scheduling patterns. University partnerships with international institutions require time zone coordination across continents. The concentration of research hospitals (Mass General, Brigham and Women's, Dana-Farber) means regular coordination with medical centers worldwide, often requiring early morning or late evening calls to reach Asia-Pacific or European partners.