The time in Texas depends on where you are in the state. Consequently, understanding Texas time zones is important for scheduling calls, planning travel, and everyday coordination across this enormous state. This guide explains exactly what time it is across Texas and why different parts of the state follow different clocks.
Current Time in Texas
Most of Texas follows Central Time. Therefore, the majority of major Texas cities — including Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and Fort Worth — all share the same clock. Central Standard Time (CST) is UTC minus 6 hours in winter. Central Daylight Time (CDT) is UTC minus 5 hours during daylight saving time from March through November. For the exact live time right now, use our Texas Time Zone Clock tool.
Texas Time Zones Explained
Texas spans two official time zones. In contrast to most states that observe a single time zone, Texas is large enough that its western regions fall into a different zone. Central Time covers approximately 94 percent of Texas including all major cities. Mountain Time covers El Paso, Hudspeth County, and portions of Culberson County in far West Texas — exactly one hour behind the rest of the state.
Time in Major Texas Cities
- Houston — Central Time
- Dallas — Central Time
- Austin — Central Time (state capital)
- San Antonio — Central Time
- Fort Worth — Central Time
- El Paso — Mountain Time (1 hour behind Houston)
- Amarillo — Central Time
- Lubbock — Central Time
- Corpus Christi — Central Time
Daylight Saving Time in Texas 2026
Texas observes federal daylight saving time rules. The Texas Legislature has discussed opting out in recent sessions, but no change has been enacted as of 2026. Clocks spring forward at 2:00 AM on the second Sunday of March and fall back at 2:00 AM on the first Sunday of November.
- Spring forward 2026: Sunday, March 8, 2026 at 2:00 AM (clocks move to 3:00 AM)
- Fall back 2026: Sunday, November 1, 2026 at 2:00 AM (clocks move to 1:00 AM)
Texas Time vs Other Major Cities
Central Time sits between the East Coast and Mountain West, making Texas a useful midpoint for national business scheduling. Texas is one hour behind New York, two hours ahead of Los Angeles, the same as Chicago, six hours behind London in winter, and fifteen hours behind Tokyo in winter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time zone is most of Texas in?
Most of Texas is in the Central Time Zone. This means Central Standard Time (CST, UTC-6) in winter and Central Daylight Time (CDT, UTC-5) during daylight saving time from March through November.
Is El Paso in a different time zone than Houston?
Yes. El Paso observes Mountain Time, which is one hour behind Central Time. When it is 3:00 PM in Houston, it is 2:00 PM in El Paso.
Does Texas observe daylight saving time?
Yes, Texas observes daylight saving time. Clocks spring forward one hour at 2:00 AM on the second Sunday of March and fall back at 2:00 AM on the first Sunday of November.
What is the current time in Texas right now?
The current time in most of Texas follows Central Time (CT). Check our Texas Time Zone Clock tool for the exact live current time across all major Texas cities.
How many time zones does Texas have?
Texas has two time zones. Most of the state follows Central Time. Only El Paso, Hudspeth County, and parts of Culberson County in far West Texas follow Mountain Time.
Check the live current time with our Texas Time Zone Clock tool. You can also read our detailed Texas Time Zone guide for full daylight saving information. Additionally, explore our Texas Area Code Lookup for city and region phone information.
