Minnesota time zone and daylight saving time

Central Time Next clock change: Nov 1

9:07 a.m.Minneapolis, UTC−5Sunrise 7:48 a.m. · Sunset 6:05 p.m. · 10 h 18 min of daylight

Minnesota at a glance

Time zone: Central
Daylight saving time: Observed. UTC−5 in summer, UTC−6 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 2021. It needs federal approval before it can take effect.

All of Minnesota uses Central Time and observes daylight saving time: UTC−5 in summer and UTC−6 in winter.

Time zones in bordering states and provinces

Minnesota matches all four of its U.S. neighbours. Its Canadian borders are more varied.

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

Current time in each zone

Eastern10:07 a.m.
Central9:07 a.m.
Mountain8:07 a.m.

County split between two zones; the exact line isn't drawn

North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Wisconsin: same time all along the border.
Manitoba: since 2026, stays on UTC−5 all year. Minnesota matches it in summer and is 1 hour behind it in winter.
Northwestern Ontario: across the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods, including Fort Frances. Ontario announced on October 13, 2026 that the area will stay on UTC−5 all year, matching Manitoba. Minnesota matches it in summer and will be 1 hour behind it in winter.
Thunder Bay area, Ontario: across the Pigeon River in Minnesota’s far northeast, Ontario uses Eastern Time, 1 hour ahead of Minnesota.

What permanent time would mean for Minnesota

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 Minneapolis.

Permanent daylight time

Later winter mornings

8:48 a.m.

Sunrise on the shortest day, December 21 (now 7:48 a.m.).

Winter sunset: 5:34 p.m. (now 4:34 p.m.).

Permanent standard time

Earlier summer evenings

8:03 p.m.

Sunset on the longest day, June 21 (now 9:03 p.m.).

Summer sunrise: 4:26 a.m. (now 5:26 a.m.).

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

Minnesota and permanent daylight time

In 2021, Minnesota enacted a law (signed by Governor Tim Walz on June 30, 2021) to observe daylight saving time year-round once federal law allows it. Minnesota is among the 19 states the Congressional Research Service lists as having enacted such a law.

Lawmakers have also considered the opposite approach: in 2025, companion bills (House File 1944 and Senate File 2403) proposed keeping Minnesota on standard time year-round until Congress allows permanent daylight time. Neither passed, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

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 Minnesota in?

All of Minnesota uses Central Time and observes daylight saving time.

Is Minnesota on the same time as Winnipeg?

In summer, yes. Since Manitoba stopped changing its clocks in 2026, Winnipeg is 1 hour ahead of Minnesota in winter.

Is International Falls on the same time as Fort Frances, Ontario?

In summer, yes. From November 1, 2026, Fort Frances is set to stay on UTC−5 all year, so in winter it will be 1 hour ahead of International Falls.

Didn’t Minnesota pass a law to stop changing clocks?

Minnesota passed a law in 2021 to observe daylight saving time year-round, but it takes effect only once federal law allows it. Until then, clocks keep changing.

Sources: U.S. Department of Transportation (49 CFR Part 71); Congressional Research Service; Congress.gov; National Conference of State Legislatures; CBC News.

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