America Time NowCurrent time across the United States

Current Time in South Carolina

Eastern Time · Columbia

5:16:52 PM

Wednesday, November 11, 2026ESTUTC−5Standard time

12369

Time zone

Time zone
Eastern Time (EST)
UTC offset
UTC−5
Daylight saving
Observed
Capital
Columbia
Largest city
Charleston
Known as
Palmetto State

South Carolina is in the Eastern Time zone. The current offset from Coordinated Universal Time is UTC−5, written EST at this time of year. South Carolina observes daylight saving time. In 2026, clocks move forward one hour on Sunday, March 8 and back one hour on Sunday, November 1.

The state capital is Columbia and the largest city is Charleston.

Sunrise and sunset

Today in Columbia

Sunrise
–
Solar noon
–
Sunset
–
Day length
–

Daylight through the year

Hours of daylight on the 21st of each month, calculated for Columbia.

Daylight saving time

Dates by year
Next clock changeSunday, March 14, 2027Clocks go forward one hour at 2:00 AM local time. Daylight saving time begins.
–days–hours–minutes–seconds
2026 startMarch 8Sunday, 2:00 AM → 3:00 AM
2026 endNovember 1Sunday, 2:00 AM → 1:00 AM
Status todayStandard timeEST · UTC−5

Difference from other U.S. zones

Convert a time
Time zoneCurrent timeCompared with South Carolina
Eastern Time5:16 PMSame time
Central Time4:16 PM1 hour behind
Mountain Time3:16 PM2 hours behind
Pacific Time2:16 PM3 hours behind
Alaska Time1:16 PM4 hours behind
Hawaii–Aleutian Time12:16 PM5 hours behind
UTC10:16 PM5 hours ahead

Also on Eastern Time

CTConnecticutEastern Time5:16 PMDEDelawareEastern Time5:16 PMDCWashington, D.C.Eastern Time5:16 PMFLFloridaEastern Time5:16 PMGAGeorgiaEastern Time5:16 PMINIndianaEastern Time5:16 PMKYKentuckyEastern Time5:16 PMMEMaineEastern Time5:16 PMMDMarylandEastern Time5:16 PMMAMassachusettsEastern Time5:16 PMMIMichiganEastern Time5:16 PMNHNew HampshireEastern Time5:16 PMNJNew JerseyEastern Time5:16 PMNYNew YorkEastern Time5:16 PMNCNorth CarolinaEastern Time5:16 PMOHOhioEastern Time5:16 PMPAPennsylvaniaEastern Time5:16 PMRIRhode IslandEastern Time5:16 PMVTVermontEastern Time5:16 PMVAVirginiaEastern Time5:16 PMWVWest VirginiaEastern Time5:16 PM

Frequently asked questions

What time zone is South Carolina in?

South Carolina is in the Eastern Time zone. The current offset is UTC−5, shown as EST.

Does South Carolina observe daylight saving time?

South Carolina observes daylight saving time. In 2026, clocks move forward one hour on Sunday, March 8 and back one hour on Sunday, November 1.

What is the time difference between South Carolina and Los Angeles?

South Carolina is currently 3 hours ahead of Los Angeles.

Does South Carolina have more than one time zone?

No. All of South Carolina uses Eastern Time.