London Time Now - Current Time in United Kingdom
London, UK - Time Information
London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom. As one of the world's major global cities, London is a leading financial, cultural, and educational center with significant influence in politics, entertainment, fashion, and the arts. The city is home to numerous iconic landmarks including Big Ben, the Tower of London, and Buckingham Palace.
London follows Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) during winter months, which is UTC+0. During Daylight Saving Time (from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October), London observes British Summer Time (BST) which is UTC+1. London sits near the Prime Meridian (Greenwich Meridian), which serves as the reference point for global time zones.
Time Difference from London to Major Cities
| City | Time Difference | Current Time |
|---|---|---|
| New York | -5/-4 hours | |
| Los Angeles | -8/-7 hours | |
| Beijing | +8 hours | |
| Tokyo | +9 hours | |
| Sydney | +10/+11 hours |
*Time differences may vary during DST changes. London switches between GMT (UTC+0) in winter and BST (UTC+1) in summer.
Frequently Asked Questions about London Time
What time is it in London now?
The current time in London is displayed above. London follows Greenwich Mean Time (GMT, UTC+0) in winter and British Summer Time (BST, UTC+1) during DST.
What time zone is London in?
London is in the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) zone in winter, which is equivalent to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+0). During summer (Daylight Saving Time), London uses British Summer Time (BST), which is UTC+1.
When does London observe Daylight Saving Time?
London observes Daylight Saving Time (British Summer Time or BST) from the last Sunday in March (when clocks go forward by 1 hour at 1:00 AM) to the last Sunday in October (when clocks go back by 1 hour at 2:00 AM).
What is the difference between GMT and UTC?
While GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) and UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) are often used interchangeably in daily context, they are technically different. GMT is based on the Earth's rotation, while UTC is a more precise atomic time standard. For practical purposes, GMT and UTC represent the same time zone (UTC+0).
What is the time difference between London and New York?
London is typically 5 hours ahead of New York. During periods when both cities observe Daylight Saving Time, the difference remains 5 hours. However, due to different DST start and end dates, the difference can briefly be 4 or 6 hours during transition periods.
Why is London's time zone significant?
London's time zone is historically significant because the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London, marks the Prime Meridian (0° longitude), which has been used as the reference point for global time zones and navigation since the late 19th century. This is why GMT became the global time standard.
About London Time
Need to know the current time in London, UK? World Time offers accurate real-time clock for London, including Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and British Summer Time (BST) updates, and live comparisons with cities like New York, Beijing, and Tokyo. This page helps travelers, business professionals, and global teams coordinate meetings across time zones. As a major global financial center and the home of the Prime Meridian, London's time serves as a crucial reference point for international schedules and planning.