South Carolina time zone and daylight saving time

Eastern Time Next clock change: Nov 1

Charleston, UTC−4Sunrise 7:35 a.m. · Sunset 6:31 p.m. · 10 h 56 min of daylight

South Carolina at a glance

Time zone
Eastern
Daylight saving time
Observed. UTC−4 in summer, UTC−5 in winter.
Upcoming clock changes
  • Sunday, November 1, 2026: clocks fall back
  • Sunday, March 14, 2027: clocks spring forward
  • Sunday, November 7, 2027: clocks fall back
  • Sunday, March 12, 2028: clocks spring forward
Each change happens at 2:00 a.m. local time.
Permanent daylight time law
Enacted in 2020. It needs federal approval before it can take effect.

All of South Carolina uses Eastern Time and observes daylight saving time: UTC−4 in summer and UTC−5 in winter.

Time zones in bordering states

South Carolina and both of its neighbours use Eastern Time, so the time is the same across every border, all year.

Select a state on the map to see its time zone details.

Time zone map of South Carolina and surrounding states. Each state is a link to its page.Counties are shaded by time zone. Hatched counties are split between two zones; dotted areas do not observe daylight saving time.AlabamaFloridaGeorgiaNorth CarolinaKentuckyTennesseeVirginia

Current time in each zone

  • Eastern
  • Central
  • North Carolina and Georgia: same time all along the border.

What permanent time would mean for South Carolina

Ending clock changes would mean keeping one time all year: either permanent daylight time or permanent standard time. Here’s how each would shift sunrise and sunset in Charleston.

Permanent daylight time

Later winter mornings

8:18 a.m.

Sunrise on the shortest day, December 21 (now 7:18 a.m.).

Winter sunset: 6:18 p.m. (now 5:18 p.m.).

Permanent standard time

Earlier summer evenings

7:31 p.m.

Sunset on the longest day, June 21 (now 8:31 p.m.).

Summer sunrise: 5:12 a.m. (now 6:12 a.m.).

Times for Charleston, calculated for 2026. Actual sunrise and sunset can differ by a few minutes with terrain and weather.

South Carolina and permanent daylight time

In 2020, South Carolina enacted a law to observe daylight saving time year-round (signed by Governor Henry McMaster). It takes effect only if Congress allows states to adopt permanent daylight time; until then, South Carolina keeps changing its clocks. South Carolina is among the 19 states the Congressional Research Service lists as having enacted such a law.

Any switch to permanent daylight time would need Congress to act first. The U.S. House passed the Sunshine Protection Act in July 2026, and it is now with the Senate.

Common questions

What time zone is South Carolina in?

All of South Carolina uses Eastern Time and observes daylight saving time.

Is South Carolina on the same time as Charlotte?

Yes. Charlotte, North Carolina uses Eastern Time, the same as South Carolina.

Didn’t South Carolina pass a law to stop changing clocks?

South Carolina passed a law in 2020 to observe daylight saving time year-round, but it takes effect only if Congress allows it. Until then, clocks keep changing.

Sources: U.S. Department of Transportation (49 CFR Part 71); Congressional Research Service; Congress.gov.

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