What is the time difference between EST and PST?

EST (Eastern Standard Time) is 3 hours ahead of PST (Pacific Standard Time). When it is noon in New York (EST), it is 9:00 AM in Los Angeles (PST).

What is the best meeting time for EST and PST teams?

The best overlap window is 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM EST (9:00 AM to 12:00 PM PST). Both coasts are in business hours during this window.

Does EST to PST change with daylight saving time?

The difference remains 3 hours even during daylight saving time, since both the US East Coast (EDT) and West Coast (PDT) shift by the same 1 hour.

Best Time to Schedule EST to PST Meetings

The EST to PST Time Difference

Eastern Standard Time (EST) is UTC-5 and Pacific Standard Time (PST) is UTC-8, making PST exactly 3 hours behind EST. This means when it's 9:00 AM in New York, it's only 6:00 AM in Los Angeles — too early for most people. And when it's 5:00 PM in Los Angeles, New York is already at 8:00 PM.

The Ideal Meeting Window

The sweet spot for EST/PST meetings is between 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM Eastern time (9:00 AM to 12:00 PM Pacific). Both coasts are in core business hours, fully awake, and not yet in the post-lunch slump. This 3-hour window is your golden meeting zone.

When to Avoid Scheduling

Avoid scheduling before 12:00 PM EST for Pacific colleagues — that's before 9 AM their time. Similarly, avoid anything after 3:00 PM Pacific (6:00 PM EST) unless you want East Coast team members checking in after dinner. The worst time? 8:00 AM EST stand-ups where West Coast people join at 5:00 AM.

Tips for Remote Teams Spanning Both Coasts

If your team spans both coasts, consider these strategies: (1) Set a standing meeting at 12:00 PM EST / 9:00 AM PST for daily standups. (2) Record all non-urgent meetings and share the recording asynchronously. (3) Use our Meeting Planner to find the exact overlap window any day. (4) Rotate inconvenient meeting times if you also have European or Asian colleagues.

EST vs PST Quick Reference

Best Time to Schedule a Meeting Between EST and PST