What time is it in Texas right now? The answer depends on where in the state you are and what time of year it is. Consequently, most of Texas runs on Central Time — currently either CST or CDT depending on the season — while El Paso runs one hour behind on Mountain Time. This guide gives you the live current Texas time and explains everything you need to know about the state’s time zones.
Live Current Time in Texas
For the exact current time in Texas right now, use our Texas Time Zone Clock tool — it displays live real-time clocks for Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and El Paso updated every second. Furthermore, the clock tool shows both Central and Mountain time simultaneously so you can see the current difference between El Paso and the rest of the state at a glance.
Is Texas Currently on CST or CDT?
Texas switches between two versions of Central Time twice each year. Central Standard Time (CST) at UTC minus 6 hours runs from the first Sunday of November through the second Sunday of March. Central Daylight Time (CDT) at UTC minus 5 hours runs from the second Sunday of March through the first Sunday of November. Furthermore, in 2026 the spring forward date is March 8 and the fall back date is November 1. As a result, checking the current date tells you immediately which offset applies right now.
Current Time Across Texas Cities Right Now
- Houston right now — Central Time (CT), same as Dallas and Austin
- Dallas right now — Central Time (CT), same as Houston and San Antonio
- Austin right now — Central Time (CT), state capital on Central Time
- San Antonio right now — Central Time (CT)
- Fort Worth right now — Central Time (CT)
- El Paso right now — Mountain Time (MT), currently 1 hour behind all above cities
- Amarillo right now — Central Time (CT)
- Lubbock right now — Central Time (CT)
Texas Time Right Now vs US Cities
Right now, Texas Central Time is one hour behind New York and the entire Eastern Time Zone. Texas is the same time as Chicago, Kansas City, and New Orleans. Texas is one hour ahead of Denver and the Mountain Time Zone. Texas is two hours ahead of Los Angeles and the Pacific Time Zone. Furthermore, Arizona (which does not observe daylight saving) is the same time as Texas in summer and one hour behind in winter. As a result, these differences remain consistent year-round with the Arizona exception.
Texas Time Right Now vs World Cities
For international scheduling from Texas right now, the key offsets are six hours behind London in winter (five hours in summer), seven hours behind Paris in winter, nine hours behind Dubai, fifteen hours behind Tokyo, and sixteen hours behind Sydney in winter. Furthermore, Texas aligns with Mexico City most of the year with occasional one-hour differences during DST transition periods. As a result, Texas Central Time is well-positioned for scheduling across both US coasts and maintaining European morning-overlap calls.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is it in Texas right now?
Texas follows Central Time for most of the state. The exact current time depends on whether daylight saving is in effect — CST (UTC-6) in winter or CDT (UTC-5) from March through November. Use our Texas Time Zone Clock for the live exact time right now.
Is Texas currently on CST or CDT right now?
Texas observes Central Standard Time (CST) from November through March and Central Daylight Time (CDT) from March through November. Check the current date to determine which applies — CDT is UTC-5 and CST is UTC-6.
What time is it right now in Houston Texas?
Houston follows Central Time and shares the same local time as Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. Use our Texas Time Zone Clock tool for the precise live current time in Houston right now.
Is it the same time in Dallas and Austin Texas right now?
Yes. Dallas and Austin are both in the Central Time Zone and share identical local time at all times including during daylight saving transitions.
What time is it in El Paso Texas right now?
El Paso follows Mountain Time — one hour behind the rest of Texas. If it is 3 PM in Dallas right now, it is 2 PM in El Paso at the same moment.
Get the live Texas time right now with our Texas Time Zone Clock tool. You can also read our Time in Texas Right Now guide and our Texas Time Zone full breakdown for complete reference.
