Ohio

Ohio time zone and daylight saving time

Eastern TimeClocks changeFalls back Nov 1
Columbus, UTC−4

Ohio observes daylight saving time: UTC−4 in summer and UTC−5 in winter. Next change: clocks fall back one hour on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 2:00 a.m. local time.

All of Ohio uses Eastern Time. [VERIFY against the federal time zone boundary rules.] Ohio sits near the western edge of the Eastern zone, which is why its winter sunrises come later than in cities farther east, such as New York or Boston.

Time zones in bordering states

Ohio keeps the same time as all its neighbours where they meet. Indiana and Kentucky are each split between two zones, so the time changes as you travel farther in.

North: MichiganSame time
Northeast: Ontarioacross Lake ErieSame time
West: IndianaSame timeParts of the northwest and southwest: 1 hr behind
Ohio
East: PennsylvaniaSame time
South: KentuckySame timeThe west: 1 hr behind
Southeast: West VirginiaSame time

Same time as Ohio all yearDifferent for part or all of the yearPart of the state or province uses another zone

What permanent time would mean for Ohio

Congress is considering making daylight saving time permanent. Because Ohio is far west in its time zone, that choice matters more here than in most eastern states. Here’s how the shortest and longest days would look in Columbus.

Columbus

Shortest day (Dec 21)

Today's clocks 7:50 a.m. – 5:10 p.m.
Permanent daylight time 8:50 a.m. – 6:10 p.m.

Longest day (Jun 21)

Today's clocks 6:03 a.m. – 9:04 p.m.
Permanent standard time 5:03 a.m. – 8:04 p.m.

With permanent daylight time, the shortest day would run from 8:50 a.m. to 6:10 p.m., instead of 7:50 a.m. to 5:10 p.m. With permanent standard time, the longest day would run from 5:03 a.m. to 8:04 p.m., instead of 6:03 a.m. to 9:04 p.m. Yellow shows daylight. Calculated for 2026 at this location; actual sunrise and sunset can differ by a few minutes with terrain and weather.

Ohio and permanent daylight time

Ohio is not among the 18 states that the National Conference of State Legislatures lists as having enacted a law for permanent daylight saving time. Any permanent change would also require Congress to act; the U.S. House passed the Sunshine Protection Act in July 2026, and it awaits the Senate. [RESEARCH: Ohio bills or resolutions on permanent time, from NCSL’s bill tracker and the Ohio General Assembly.]

Common questions

Does Ohio observe daylight saving time?

Yes. Ohio springs forward in March and falls back in November with most of the country.

Is Ohio on the same time as Chicago?

No. Chicago uses Central Time, one hour behind Ohio all year.

Will Ohio stop changing its clocks?

Not unless federal law changes. States can choose permanent standard time on their own, but permanent daylight time requires Congress.

Sources: National Conference of State Legislatures; U.S. Department of Transportation. Sunrise and sunset times are calculated. Last checked: [DATE].