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Time in Kiribati Now
What Time Is It in Kiribati Right Now With Seconds
If you want the exact current-time in Kiribati with hours, minutes and seconds, note that the country uses multiple time zones across its island groups. This means local time differs by region, making it important to identify the correct zone for travel and communication.
Kiribati Time Zone Info
IANA Time Zones: Pacific/Tarawa, Pacific/Kanton, Pacific/Kiritimati
UTC Offsets: UTC+12 (Tarawa region), UTC+13 (Phoenix and Kanton region), UTC+14 (Line Islands region)
Time Zone Abbreviations: GILT (Gilbert Islands Time), PHOT (Phoenix Islands Time), LINT (Line Islands Time)
DST: Not observed
DST Abbreviation: None — the zones remain constant year-round
Kiribati is among the few places where local time reaches UTC+14, making it one of the first regions in the world to begin each new day.
Kiribati time zone(s)
| Time Zone | Example City/Region | UTC Offset |
|---|---|---|
| Gilbert Islands Time (GILT) | Tarawa | UTC +12 |
| Phoenix Islands Time (PHOT) | Canton (Kanton) | UTC +13 |
| Line Islands Time (LINT) | Kiritimati (Christmas Island) | UTC +14 |
The official IANA identifiers for the country are Pacific/Tarawa, Pacific/Kanton, and Pacific/Kiritimati.
Daylight Saving Time in Kiribati
Kiribati does not observe Daylight Saving Time. All regional zones remain on their standard UTC offsets year-round with no seasonal clock changes.
This ensures stable timekeeping across all island groups.
Major cities in Kiribati & their time
| City | Time Zone | Typical Offset |
|---|---|---|
| Tarawa | GILT | UTC +12 |
| Kiritimati (Christmas) | LINT | UTC +14 |
| Canton (Kanton) | PHOT | UTC +13 |
| Tabiteuea | GILT | UTC +12 |
| Rawaki | PHOT | UTC +13 |
Each of these regions follows its designated national time zone based on island group.
Brief info for Kiribati time
Number of time zones: 3
Capital city: Tarawa
Default time regions: Gilbert Islands Time (GILT), Phoenix Islands Time (PHOT), Line Islands Time (LINT)
Daylight Saving Time: Not used
Primary IANA Zones: Pacific/Tarawa, Pacific/Kanton, Pacific/Kiritimati
Standard UTC offsets: UTC+12, UTC+13, UTC+14
Neighbouring countries with same or similar times: None exactly; internal variations across Kiribati itself
Regional differences: Yes — different offsets depending on island group
Pros and
Pros
Unique time position (UTC+14) means Kiribati sees the earliest calendar day.
No DST means consistent clock settings year-round.
Simple regional structure once the island group is identified.
Strategic for Pacific region and maritime sectors.
Predictable timing for global coordination from early-morning zones.
Cons
Multiple time zones within one country can confuse visitors or businesses.
Significant geographic spread means some offsets may hamper real-time global coordination.
Early day start (UTC+14) may cause scheduling oddities when dealing internationally.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do we know about Kiribati’s time zones?
Kiribati uses three national time zones spanning UTC+12 to UTC+14.
Does Kiribati observe Daylight Saving Time?
No. The country does not use DST.
What is Kiribati’s official time zone?
There are three: GILT (Gilbert Islands Time), PHOT (Phoenix Islands Time), LINT (Line Islands Time).
How many time zones does Kiribati have?
Kiribati uses three distinct time zones nationwide.
Why does Kiribati have UTC+14?
The Line Islands use UTC+14 to align with the country’s calendar day, making them among the first places to enter the new day.
Do all islands in Kiribati follow the same clock?
No. Different island groups follow their respective regional time zones.
How can I check the time difference between Kiribati and another country?
You can use a time converter to compare Kiribati Time with any global zone.