Texas Time Zone Map
Most of Texas is in Central Time, while far west Texas around El Paso uses Mountain Time. See the map, live clocks, city table, and DST rules.
Simplified visual guide. The legal Central/Mountain boundary in Texas is defined in 49 CFR § 71.7.
What Time Zone Is Texas In?
Texas has two time zones. Most of Texas uses Central Time, including Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Fort Worth, Waco, Corpus Christi, Lubbock, Amarillo, and most other major cities. These places use CST in winter and CDT during daylight saving time.
Far west Texas uses Mountain Time. The best-known example is El Paso, which follows MST in winter and MDT during daylight saving time. Hudspeth County communities near the New Mexico border also fall on the Mountain Time side. In practice, El Paso is usually one hour behind Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio.
The official Central/Mountain boundary is defined by federal regulation. It runs from the Texas-New Mexico border to the east line of Hudspeth County, then south along that county line to Mexico. For legal wording, see 49 CFR § 71.7.
Texas Cities by Time Zone
| Time Zone | Region | Major Cities / Notes | UTC Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Time | Most of Texas | Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Fort Worth, Waco, Corpus Christi, Lubbock | CST UTC-6 / CDT UTC-5 |
| Mountain Time | Far West Texas | El Paso, Socorro, Horizon City, Hudspeth County communities | MST UTC-7 / MDT UTC-6 |
| Boundary area | Hudspeth County east line and far west border region | Check exact local rules near the Central/Mountain boundary | Depends on exact location |
Does Texas Observe Daylight Saving Time?
Yes. Texas observes daylight saving time in both its Central Time and Mountain Time areas. Most of Texas moves from CST (UTC-6) to CDT (UTC-5). El Paso and far west Texas move from MST (UTC-7) to MDT (UTC-6).
The time zone map does not change during daylight saving time, but the UTC offsets do. The one-hour difference between El Paso and the Central Time cities remains the same. When it is 9:00 AM in Dallas or Houston, it is usually 8:00 AM in El Paso.
Why Texas Has Two Time Zones
Texas is very wide from east to west. The eastern, central, northern, and southern parts of the state align naturally with Central Time and with nearby states such as Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas. That is why most Texas business hours, school schedules, sports broadcasts, and travel planning use Central Time.
Far west Texas is different. El Paso is geographically and economically tied to New Mexico and the Mountain Time region. Mountain Time keeps local schedules aligned with nearby communities across the state line and with the sun position in far west Texas.
Frequently Asked Questions - Texas Time Zone Map
Is El Paso one hour behind Dallas?
Yes, in normal use El Paso is one hour behind Dallas because El Paso is Mountain Time and Dallas is Central Time.
Is Houston in Central Time?
Yes. Houston is in Central Time, along with Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, Fort Worth, and most Texas cities.
Where is the Texas time zone line?
The federal boundary runs from the Texas-New Mexico border to the east line of Hudspeth County, then south along that line to Mexico.
Does El Paso observe daylight saving time?
Yes. El Paso observes daylight saving time, switching from MST to MDT on the same US daylight saving schedule.