Sydney to Washington Time Difference
Washington is 15 hours behind Sydney. When it's 03:27:24 AM in Sydney, it's 12:27:24 PM in Washington.
How Many Hours Behind Is Washington From Sydney?
Washington is 15 hours behind Sydney. So Sydney is 15 hours ahead of Washington looking the other way — the same gap, described from the other end.
In practice that means a working day in Sydney starts when it is already 6:00 PM the previous day in Washington. The gap is not fixed all year: it becomes 16 hours on Sunday, November 1, 2026, when Washington changes its clocks.
Best Time to Call Sydney and Washington
Standard 9-to-5 hours in Sydney and Washington never overlap, so someone has to take the call outside their working day. The most workable window is 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM in Sydney, which is 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM in Washington.
both at work Sydney only Washington only neither — hours shown along the strip are Sydney local time.
Convert a Specific Time
Pick any date and time in Sydney to see the exact equivalent in Washington.
Common Times Converted
Sydney time on the left, Washington time on the right.
Sydney to Washington: Full 24-Hour Conversion Table
Based on today, Monday, October 12, 2026 in Sydney. Shaded rows are working hours; the darker shade marks the hours when both cities are at work.
| Sydney | Washington | Working hours |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 AM | 9:00 AM prev day | Washington only |
| 1:00 AM | 10:00 AM prev day | Washington only |
| 2:00 AM | 11:00 AM prev day | Washington only |
| 3:00 AM | 12:00 PM prev day | Washington only |
| 4:00 AM | 1:00 PM prev day | Washington only |
| 5:00 AM | 2:00 PM prev day | Washington only |
| 6:00 AM | 3:00 PM prev day | Washington only |
| 7:00 AM | 4:00 PM prev day | Washington only |
| 8:00 AM | 5:00 PM prev day | — |
| 9:00 AM | 6:00 PM prev day | Sydney only |
| 10:00 AM | 7:00 PM prev day | Sydney only |
| 11:00 AM | 8:00 PM prev day | Sydney only |
| 12:00 PM | 9:00 PM prev day | Sydney only |
| 1:00 PM | 10:00 PM prev day | Sydney only |
| 2:00 PM | 11:00 PM prev day | Sydney only |
| 3:00 PM | 12:00 AM | Sydney only |
| 4:00 PM | 1:00 AM | Sydney only |
| 5:00 PM | 2:00 AM | — |
| 6:00 PM | 3:00 AM | — |
| 7:00 PM | 4:00 AM | — |
| 8:00 PM | 5:00 AM | — |
| 9:00 PM | 6:00 AM | — |
| 10:00 PM | 7:00 AM | — |
| 11:00 PM | 8:00 AM | — |
Understanding the Sydney – Washington Time Difference
Sydney runs on Australia/Sydney, currently AEDT (UTC+11:00). Washington runs on America/New_York, currently EDT (UTC-4:00). The gap of 15 hours is simply the distance between those two offsets.
Both cities observe Daylight Saving Time, but they don't switch on the same date — so for a few weeks each year the gap between them is different again. The next shift is on Sunday, November 1, 2026, when Washington adjusts its clocks and the difference becomes 16 hours. Anything scheduled across that date needs checking again.
Full clock-change dates: Daylight Saving Time in Australia · Daylight Saving Time in the United States.
Sydney today
Washington today
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between Sydney and Washington?
Washington is currently 15 hours behind Sydney. That gap becomes 16 hours on Sunday, November 1, 2026, when Washington changes its clocks.
How many hours behind is Washington from Sydney?
Washington is 15 hours behind Sydney. Looking at it the other way, Sydney is 15 hours ahead of Washington.
What time is it in Washington when it is 9:00 AM in Sydney?
When it is 9:00 AM in Sydney, it is 6:00 PM the previous day in Washington.
Is Washington ahead of or behind Sydney?
Washington is 15 hours behind Sydney. Sydney reaches each point in the day first, so Washington is still getting started while the Sydney working day is finishing.
What is the best time to call between Sydney and Washington?
Standard business hours in Sydney and Washington do not overlap at all, so one side has to step outside the 9-to-5. The most workable window is 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM in Sydney, which is 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM in Washington.
Does the time difference between Sydney and Washington change during the year?
Yes. Both cities observe Daylight Saving Time, and they do not always switch on the same date, so the gap between them shifts during the year. It changes to 16 hours on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
What time zones are Sydney and Washington in?
Sydney uses the Australia/Sydney time zone, currently AEDT (UTC+11:00). Washington uses America/New_York, currently EDT (UTC-4:00).