Current Time in AST
Atlantic Standard Time
About AST Atlantic Standard Time
The standard time observed in parts of eastern Canada (e.g., Nova Scotia, New Brunswick during winter), some Caribbean islands (e.g., Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands year-round), and parts of South America. Some regions observing AST switch to ADT for daylight saving.
UTC Offset: -04:00
AST at a glance
| Right now | 17:32 on Tuesday |
|---|---|
| UTC offset | UTC-04:00 (4 hours behind UTC) |
| Full name | Atlantic Standard Time |
| Countries | 25 |
| IANA zones | 31 |
What is AST?
AST is a time zone that is currently UTC-04:00 - that's 4 hours behind UTC. Its full name is Atlantic Standard Time. Right now the local time on AST is 17:32. Today 25 countries (including Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda and Aruba) and 31 IANA database zones sit at this offset, which is why AST is a useful shorthand even though the exact local rules differ from place to place.
How to convert AST to UTC
For quick planning, use today's offset as a rule of thumb: 12:00 UTC = 08:00 local time, and 09:00 local time = 13:00 UTC. The live clock above is the safest reference when daylight saving or regional rules may apply.
Which countries use AST?
AST is used across Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda and Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, plus 19 more. Open a country to see all of its cities and their local time.
IANA time zones in AST
AST maps to the IANA database zones America/Anguilla, America/Antigua, America/Aruba, America/Barbados, America/Blanc-Sablon and America/Curacao, among 31 in total. Each zone page shows its exact rules, including any daylight saving changes.
💡 Tip: Comparing times? AST is 4 hours behind UTC. Use the IANA links and country links on this page when you need the exact local rule for a real place, not just the offset.
AST - Frequently asked questions
What is AST?
AST is a time zone currently UTC-04:00 (4 hours behind UTC). Its full name is Atlantic Standard Time.
What is the UTC offset of AST?
AST is UTC-04:00 right now - 4 hours behind UTC.
Which countries are on AST?
AST is used in Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda and Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, plus 19 more.
What time is it in AST now?
The current time on AST is 17:32 on Tuesday. The clock above updates every second.
How Alarm.now explains AST
Abbreviation, offset, and IANA zones
AST is shown as a time-zone group for Atlantic Standard Time with offset -04:00. The page links the abbreviation to the IANA zones and countries that use it, so users and search engines can distinguish a short label from an exact time-zone rule set.
When to use a specific IANA page
Use this group page for an overview of the abbreviation and offset. Use a linked IANA time-zone page when you need exact daylight-saving rules for a calendar, app, or future-date comparison.