Calling someone in the UK? Learn about UK time zones, time differences, and the best hours to call from anywhere in the world without disturbing anyone.
Author: Abhilash Dama
Thinking about calling someone in the UK, but not sure if it’s the right time?
A lot of people get confused by time zones, and that's totally normal. What feels like a normal hour for you might be too early or too late in the UK.
Whether you're catching up with a friend, checking in with family, or making a work call, choosing the right time helps avoid awkward moments.
In this blog, you’ll get a clear idea of how time works in the UK, how it matches up with your local time, and when is the best time to call UK. Everything is explained in a simple way, so you don’t have to figure it out on your own.
Time zones can be a bit confusing, especially when you're trying to figure out the best time to call someone on the other side of the world.
Believe it or not, the United Kingdom actually has 9 different time zones when you include all its overseas territories. Here they are:
But unless you're calling one of these territories, you only need to focus on the two time zones used in mainland UK. These are the ones most people mean when they say “UK time.”
| Time Zone | When It’s Used | UTC Offset | Also Called |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) | Late October to Late March | UTC +0 | Winter Time, Standard Time |
| British Summer Time (BST) | Late March to Late October | UTC +1 | Daylight Saving Time, Summer Time |
In simple words:
These changes usually happen:
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Once you know the time zone, the next big question is: when should you actually make the call?
If you’re in a completely different part of the world, your lunch break might be the middle of the night in the UK. The safest approach is to call between 9 AM and 6 PM UK time, which is when most people are awake, working, or available for a chat.
But since time zones vary around the world, here’s a quick guide to help you figure out the best time based on where you are:
New Zealand is 12 to 13 hours ahead of the UK, depending on daylight saving time. So, when it's morning in the UK, it's already evening in New Zealand. If you're calling from NZ, the best option is to make the call in the evening, which lines up with morning hours in the UK.
| New Zealand Time Zone | UK is Behind By | Best Time to Call (Your Time) | UK Time When You Call |
|---|---|---|---|
| NZST (Mainland NZ) | 12–13 hours | 8 PM – 11 PM | 7 AM – 10 AM |
| CHAST (Chatham Islands) | 12.75–13.75 hours | 8:45 PM – 11:45 PM | 7 AM – 10 AM |
If you're calling from the US, the UK is always ahead in time. Whether you're on the East Coast, in the Midwest, or out West, the time gap usually falls between 5 to 8 hours. The good part is that your morning hours often match well with the UK's afternoon.
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| US Time Zone | Time Difference (UK is ahead) | Best Time to Call (Your Time) | UK Time When You Call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Time (ET) | +5 hours | 7 AM – 11 AM | 12 PM – 4 PM |
| Central Time (CT) | +6 hours | 6 AM – 10 AM | 12 PM – 4 PM |
| Pacific Time (PT) | +8 hours | 4 AM – 8 AM | 12 PM – 4 PM |
| Alaska Time (AKT) | +9 hours | 3 AM – 7 AM | 12 PM – 4 PM |
| Hawaii-Aleutian Time (HAT) | +10 hours | 2 AM – 6 AM | 12 PM – 4 PM |
| Atlantic Time (AT) | +4 hours | 8 AM – 12 PM | 12 PM – 4 PM |
| Samoa Standard Time (SST) | +11 hours | 1 AM – 5 AM | 12 PM – 4 PM |
| Chamorro Standard Time (ChST) | +10 hours | 5 PM – 9 PM | 7 AM – 11 AM |
| Mountain Time (MT) | +7 hours | 5 AM – 9 AM | 12 PM – 4 PM |
Expert’s advice: If you're planning a business or personal call, aim for the UK's midday. It gives both sides enough energy and focus to chat without feeling rushed.
If you're in Australia and planning to call someone in the UK, the time difference is something you need to think about. The UK is usually 9 to 11 hours behind, depending on the time of year. So while it’s evening in Australia, it’s still morning in the UK.
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Here’s a quick table to help you find the best time to call based on where you live:
| Australian Time Zone | UK is Behind By | Best Time to Call (Your Time) | UK Time When You Call |
|---|---|---|---|
| AEST (Sydney, Melbourne) | 9–10 hours | 6 PM – 9 PM | 8 AM – 11 AM |
| ACST (Adelaide) | 8.5–9.5 hours | 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM | 8 AM – 11 AM |
| AWST (Perth) | 7–8 hours | 5 PM – 8 PM | 10 AM – 1 PM |
If you're in Canada and want to call someone in the UK, the time gap is a bit easier to manage compared to places like Australia and New Zealand. The UK is usually 4 to 8 hours ahead, depending on your province or territory.
Your early morning hours often match up with the UK’s afternoon, which makes it easier to plan a call without waking anyone up or calling too late in the day.
Here’s a breakdown to help you figure out the best calling hours from your region:
| Canadian Time Zone | UK is Ahead By | Best Time to Call (Your Time) | UK Time When You Call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newfoundland Time (NT) | +3.5 hours | 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM | 12 PM – 4 PM |
| Atlantic Time (AT) | +4 hours | 8 AM – 12 PM | 12 PM – 4 PM |
| Eastern Time (ET) | +5 hours | 7 AM – 11 AM | 12 PM – 4 PM |
| Central Time (CT) | +6 hours | 6 AM – 10 AM | 12 PM – 4 PM |
| Mountain Time (MT) | +7 hours | 5 AM – 9 AM | 12 PM – 4 PM |
| Pacific Time (PT) | +8 hours | 4 AM – 8 AM | 12 PM – 4 PM |
Even if you know the time difference, a few small mistakes can still mess up your call. Here are some things to watch out for:
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Calling someone in the UK from another country? Here are some simple tips to make sure the call goes smoothly, whether it’s for a quick catch-up or a work meeting.
Calling someone in the UK isn’t as hard as it may seem. You just need to keep time zones and daylight saving in mind. The UK switches between Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and British Summer Time (BST), and this change can sometimes confuse people in countries where clocks shift on different dates.
In this blog, we covered everything you need to know:
Whether it’s a quick check-in with family, a casual catch-up, or a business meeting, choosing the right time makes the call easier and more enjoyable for everyone. When in doubt, just check the current UK time using your phone or a quick Google search.
Next time you’re dialing someone in the UK, you’ll feel confident about when to call and how to make it smooth from your side.
