Understanding PST to EST Conversion
When converting 1 PM PST (Pacific Standard Time) to EST (Eastern Standard Time), you need to add 3 hours due to the time difference between these zones. This means 1 PM PST equals 4 PM EST.
PST (Pacific Standard Time)
UTC-8:00 during standard time
Covers the west coast of the United States including California, Washington, and Oregon
EST (Eastern Standard Time)
UTC-5:00 during standard time
Covers the eastern United States including New York, Washington D.C., and Florida
Daylight Saving Time Considerations
During Daylight Saving Time (DST), both regions shift their clocks forward by one hour:
- PST becomes PDT (Pacific Daylight Time): UTC-7:00
- EST becomes EDT (Eastern Daylight Time): UTC-4:00
The 3-hour difference remains constant throughout the year, regardless of whether DST is in effect.
Spring Forward
Second Sunday in March
Fall Back
First Sunday in November
Common Use Cases for PST to EST Conversion
Business Meetings
When scheduling meetings between teams on the west and east coasts, knowing that 1 PM PST is 4 PM EST helps ensure everyone joins at the correct time.
Event Planning
For nationwide events, broadcasts, or webinars, organizers need to communicate times clearly across different time zones.
Travel Planning
When traveling between coasts, understanding the time difference helps in planning arrivals, departures, and adjusting to new time zones.