EDT vs EST: Learn the Difference

EST stands for Eastern Standard Time, and EDT stands for Eastern Daylight Time. Both Eastern Standard Time and Eastern Daylight Time are used as time zones for the same area. Yet, both of them cannot be used as synonyms.

They are used for better time management and for convenient international calls, meetings, and conferences. These time zones are determined by the geographical conditions and location of our planet and the sun, as well as the moon.

The difference between both time zones is that of a single letter. Understandably, confusion can arise as to when we apply Eastern Standard Time and when Eastern Daylight Time.

Key Takeaways

1. EDT is four hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-4), while EST is five hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-5).
2. EDT is used during daylight saving time, while EST is used during standard time.
3. EDT is used in summer, while EST is used in winter.

Difference Between EDT and EST

Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) is the time zone observed during the daylight saving time (DST) period, which starts on the second Sunday of March and ends on the first Sunday of November each year. Eastern Standard Time (EST) is the time zone observed during the standard time period.

For example: when Eastern Daylight Time is used, the international meetings are held between 10 am to 6 pm, whereas for Eastern Standard Time, the same meeting and conference are held between 9 am to 5 pm.

EST and EDT are not used in other parts of the world apart from eastern countries.

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Comparison Table for EDT vs EST

Parameter of comparison	Eastern Standard Time	Eastern Daylight Time
Time zone	Used for the fall-winter season.	Used for the summer-spring season.
Hour	One hour behind the Eastern Daylight Time.	One hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time.
Universal time	Five hours behind coordinated universal time.	Four hours behind coordinated universal time.
Abbreviation	EST	EDIT
Areas	Used all over the Eastern time zone.	Not used in the Southern parts of the time zone.
In effect	In effect, 2 am from the first Sunday of November.	2 am from the second Sunday of March.

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What is Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)?

EDT is an Eastern Daylight Time. This time zone is used in the summer to the spring season. It comes into effect at 2 am on the second Sunday of March. Eastern Daylight Time is not applicable in the southern areas of the world.

Eastern Daylight Time is one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time. Eastern Daylight Time is 4 hours behind coordinated universal time.

When Eastern Daylight Time comes into effect, international conferences are organized between 9 am to 5 pm.

It’s applicable in the USA, Canada, the Caribbean, and Central America.

This time zone is for the people living in the eastern zone of the world. In the USA, it is in effect from the last Sunday of April until the last Sunday in October.

This was implemented in the USA in 2007.

 

What is Eastern Standard Time (EST)?

EST is the Eastern Standard Time. The time zone is used for all the eastern parts of the world. This time zone is applied in the fall and winter seasons.

It comes into effect from 2 am on the first Sunday of November.

Eastern Standard Time is one hour behind Eastern Daylight Time. It is also five hours behind coordinated universal time. When Eastern Standard Time is in effect, all the international conferences are organized between 10 am to 6 pm.

The time zone is used in North America, the Caribbean, and Central America.

In the areas where Eastern Standard Time is used, it is switched to Eastern Daylight Time on the second Sunday of March, creating an hour gap because Eastern Standard Time is one hour behind EDT.

When on the first Sunday of November, the countries switch to Eastern Daylight Time, an hour’s gap is covered. 

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Main Differences Between Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) and Eastern Standard Time (EST)

1. The abbreviation for Eastern Standard Time is EST, and the abbreviation for Eastern Daylight Time is EDT.
2. Eastern Standard Time is applicable in the fall-winter season, and Eastern Daylight Time in the summer-spring season.
3. Eastern Standard Time occurs at 2 am on the first Sunday of November, whereas Eastern Daylight Time occurs at 2 am on the second Sunday of March.
4. Eastern Standard Time is followed in the eastern part of the world, whereas Eastern Daylight Time is not followed in the southern parts.
5. Eastern Standard Time is 1 hour behind Eastern Daylight Time. 
6. Eastern Standard Time is 5 hours behind coordinated universal time, but on the other hand, Eastern Daylight Time is 4 hours behind the coordinated time.

References

1. https://eprints.usq.edu.au/1104