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Time in Mexico now:
North America Countries List & Time Zones
Exact Current Time in Mexico
The current time in Mexico varies by region because the country spans multiple time zones. The official time zone for Mexico City, the capital, is Central Standard Time (CST). This is used as the national reference time.
Mexico shares several time zones with the United States, making time coordination easier for business, tourism, and trade.
You can also check the current time page for a global world clock, or use our time converter to compare Mexico’s time with other countries.
👉 The standard time zone used for this page is:
IANA Time Zone:
America/Mexico_CityUTC Offset: UTC −6 (Central Standard Time) / UTC −5 (Daylight Saving Time in some regions)
Mexico Time Zones
Mexico spans four main time zones. Below is a summary of the time zones and example regions:
| Time Zone | Example Region or City | UTC Offset |
|---|---|---|
| Pacific Standard Time | Baja California | UTC −8 / −7 DST |
| Mountain Standard Time | Chihuahua, Sonora | UTC −7 (Sonora no DST) |
| Central Standard Time | Mexico City, Guadalajara | UTC −6 / −5 DST |
| Eastern Standard Time | Quintana Roo (Cancún) | UTC −5 (no DST) |
Mexico City time is the national reference time and represents the Central Standard Time zone.
Daylight Saving Time in Mexico
DST Use: Abolished nationwide in 2022.
Still Active: In some northern border regions to align with U.S. business hours.
Start & End: DST typically starts in spring and ends in autumn (for the few regions that still observe it).
Most of Mexico now stays on standard time all year, except certain border cities that continue DST to match U.S. schedules.
Popular Mexican Cities & Their Time
| City | Time Zone | Typical Offset |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico City | Central Standard Time | UTC −6 / −5 DST |
| Guadalajara | Central Standard Time | UTC −6 / −5 DST |
| Monterrey | Central Standard Time | UTC −6 / −5 DST |
| Cancún | Eastern Standard Time | UTC −5 |
| Tijuana | Pacific Standard Time | UTC −8 / −7 DST |
| Hermosillo | Mountain Standard Time | UTC −7 (no DST) |
Major cities in Mexico use different time zones, with border regions sometimes following U.S. DST rules.
Quick Facts About Mexico Time
🕓 Number of Time Zones: 4
🏙 Capital City: Mexico City
🌐 IANA Time Zone ID:
America/Mexico_City🕐 Default Time Zone: Central Standard Time (CST)
🌞 DST Observed: Only in some northern border areas
🕓 UTC Offset: UTC −6 / UTC −5 (DST in border regions)
Mexico is located in the southern part of North America. Its size and geographical diversity explain why it uses multiple time zones.
For more historical and legal details, visit 👉 Time in Mexico — Wikipedia
Frequently Asked Questions
How many time zones does Mexico have?
Mexico has four main time zones: Pacific, Mountain, Central, and Eastern.
What is the official time zone of Mexico?
The official reference time zone is Central Standard Time (CST), based on Mexico City.
Does Mexico observe Daylight Saving Time?
Most of Mexico no longer observes DST. Only some northern border cities still follow it to align with U.S. schedules.
Which city represents Mexico’s national time?
Mexico City represents the national time zone, using Central Standard Time (IANA: America/Mexico_City).
What is the UTC offset of Mexico?
Mexico’s UTC offset ranges from UTC − 8 (Pacific) to UTC − 5 (Eastern). Mexico City is UTC − 6 (UTC − 5 during DST in some regions).