Convert any time between MST and AKST, with a full 24-hour table and the hours when both sides are actually at work.

MST to AKST Time Converter

AKST is 2 hours behind MST. The US Mountain states are currently on MDT (UTC-6:00), and Alaska is currently on AKDT (UTC-8:00).

MST
Mountain Standard Time
06:56:12 AM
Sunday, October 11, 2026
UTC-6:00
-2:00
hours difference
⇆ Reverse
AKST
Alaska Standard Time
04:56:12 AM
Sunday, October 11, 2026
UTC-8:00

Best Time to Call Between MST and AKST

Both zones are inside normal business hours between 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM MST — that's 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM AKST. That's a 6-hour window.

both at work MST only AKST only neither  —  hours along the strip are MST.

MST to AKST: Full 24-Hour Conversion Table

Shaded rows are working hours; the darker shade marks the hours when both zones are at work.

MSTAKSTWorking hours
12:00 AM 10:00 PM prev day —
1:00 AM 11:00 PM prev day —
2:00 AM 12:00 AM —
3:00 AM 1:00 AM —
4:00 AM 2:00 AM —
5:00 AM 3:00 AM —
6:00 AM 4:00 AM —
7:00 AM 5:00 AM —
8:00 AM 6:00 AM —
9:00 AM 7:00 AM MST only
10:00 AM 8:00 AM MST only
11:00 AM 9:00 AM Both zones
12:00 PM 10:00 AM Both zones
1:00 PM 11:00 AM Both zones
2:00 PM 12:00 PM Both zones
3:00 PM 1:00 PM Both zones
4:00 PM 2:00 PM Both zones
5:00 PM 3:00 PM AKST only
6:00 PM 4:00 PM AKST only
7:00 PM 5:00 PM —
8:00 PM 6:00 PM —
9:00 PM 7:00 PM —
10:00 PM 8:00 PM —
11:00 PM 9:00 PM —

What MST and AKST Actually Are

MST — Mountain Standard Time

Denver, Salt Lake City, Calgary — and Phoenix year-round. Standing at UTC-7:00 as written, and the region does change its clocks, so its live offset moves by an hour twice a year. The next change is on Sunday, November 1, 2026, to MST. Arizona stays on MST all year, so Phoenix and Denver are an hour apart for eight months and identical for four.

Arizona has stayed on MST year-round since 1968 — the Navajo Nation within it does observe daylight saving, making the state a patchwork.

AKST — Alaska Standard Time

Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau. Standing at UTC-9:00 as written, and the region does change its clocks, so its live offset moves by an hour twice a year. The next change is on Sunday, November 1, 2026, to AKST.

Alaska compressed four time zones into one in 1983, moving most of the state onto a single clock to keep business hours aligned with the rest of the country.

What This Means in Practice

Both sides change clocks, on different dates

Both regions observe daylight saving but do not switch on the same day, so for a week or two each spring and fall the gap between them is an hour different from the rest of the year. Those short windows are where recurring invitations quietly break.

Close enough to share a working day

At only 2 hours apart, the two working days overlap almost completely. Scheduling is barely constrained by the difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the time difference between MST and AKST?

AKST is 2 hours behind MST.

What is 9:00 AM MST in AKST?

9:00 AM MST is 7:00 AM AKST.

What are the best hours to schedule a call between MST and AKST?

Between 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM MST, which is 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM AKST. Both sides are inside normal business hours through that window.

Does the difference between MST and AKST change during the year?

Yes. Both regions observe daylight saving, and they do not switch on the same dates, so the gap shifts by an hour at least twice a year. The next clock change is on Sunday, November 1, 2026.

Does MST always mean Mountain Standard Time?

Arizona stays on MST all year, so Phoenix and Denver are an hour apart for eight months and identical for four.

Converting between two time zones regularly? Bookmark this page — the clocks update live and the table follows daylight saving automatically.