Florida Time Zone Map
Most of Florida is in Eastern Time, but the western Panhandle is in Central Time. See the map, live clocks, county notes, and daylight saving rules.
Simplified visual guide. The legal boundary is described in 49 CFR § 71.5 and follows waterways near the Apalachicola/Jackson River area.
What Time Zone Is Florida In?
Florida has two time zones. The majority of the state uses Eastern Time, including Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Fort Lauderdale, Sarasota, Naples, and the Florida Keys. This part of Florida is EST in winter and EDT in summer.
The western Panhandle uses Central Time. This includes Pensacola, Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, and several counties near Alabama. These areas are CST in winter and CDT in summer. The practical result is simple: when it is 9:00 AM in Miami or Orlando, it is 8:00 AM in Pensacola or Panama City.
The official Eastern/Central boundary is not a straight county list. Federal regulation describes it through the Apalachicola River, Jackson River, Intracoastal Waterway, and Gulf County boundary before it reaches the Gulf of Mexico. For exact legal wording, see 49 CFR § 71.5.
Florida Counties and Cities by Time Zone
| Area | Counties / Region | Major Cities | UTC Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Time | Most Florida counties | Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Fort Lauderdale, Key West | EST UTC-5 / EDT UTC-4 |
| Central Time | Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington, Bay, Jackson, Calhoun, and northern Gulf County | Pensacola, Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, Marianna | CST UTC-6 / CDT UTC-5 |
| Split boundary | Gulf County and boundary communities near the Apalachicola/Jackson River line | Port St. Joe area uses Eastern; northern Gulf County uses Central | Depends on exact location |
Does Florida Observe Daylight Saving Time?
Yes. Florida observes daylight saving time in both of its time zones. Eastern Florida moves from EST (UTC-5) to EDT (UTC-4), while the Central Time Panhandle moves from CST (UTC-6) to CDT (UTC-5). The one-hour difference between the two Florida zones remains the same.
That means the map does not change during daylight saving time, but the UTC offsets do. If you schedule across Florida, use city names rather than only the state name. A meeting in Miami and a meeting in Pensacola can be one hour apart even though both are in Florida.
Why Florida Has Two Time Zones
Florida is long from east to west. The Panhandle stretches toward Alabama and the central Gulf Coast, where Central Time is the practical local standard. South and peninsular Florida align more naturally with the Eastern Time Zone used by Georgia, the Atlantic Coast, and major East Coast business centers.
The boundary follows waterways and local geography rather than a clean vertical line. This keeps many Panhandle communities aligned with nearby Alabama and Gulf Coast schedules while the rest of Florida remains aligned with Eastern Time cities such as Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville.
Frequently Asked Questions — Florida Time Zone Map
Is all of Florida in the same time zone?
No. Most of Florida is in Eastern Time, but the western Panhandle is in Central Time. The official line cuts through the Panhandle and Gulf County is split.
What part of Florida is Central Time?
The western Panhandle is Central Time, including Pensacola, Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, and nearby counties west of the official boundary.
Is Miami in Eastern or Central Time?
Miami is in Eastern Time. So are Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Fort Lauderdale, and Key West.
Does the Florida Panhandle observe daylight saving time?
Yes. The Panhandle areas in Central Time switch from CST to CDT in spring and back to CST in autumn.