British Summer Time (BST)
BST is UTC+1. Current UK time and when BST applies.
UK time now
--:--:--
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
GMTUTC+0
UK time is on GMT right now, not BST
Exact BST (UTC+1) time now: --:--:--
About BST
- Full Name
- British Summer Time
- Abbreviation
- BST
- UTC Offset
- UTC+1
- UK time is on
- Standard Time (GMT)
- Daylight Saving Time
- UK time: Starts Mar 28, 2027 · switches between GMT and BST
British Summer Time (BST) is UTC+1, used in the United Kingdom from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October. The rest of the year the UK is on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT, UTC+0). Ireland switches on the same dates to Irish Standard Time.
Where BST is used
Switches between GMT and BST
- The United Kingdom (London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Belfast)
Not to be confused with: Bangladesh Standard Time (UTC+6).
Major Cities in UK time
London--:--GMTBirmingham--:--GMTBelfast--:--GMTBirkenhead--:--GMTBradford--:--GMTBrighton--:--GMTBristol--:--GMTCardiff--:--GMTCoventry--:--GMTDerby--:--GMTEdinburgh--:--GMTGlasgow--:--GMTEach city shows its own current abbreviation, so places on daylight saving time are labelled accordingly.
BST vs Other Time Zones
| Comparison | By definition | Right now (local clocks) |
|---|---|---|
| BST to GMT | -1 hour | Same time |
| BST to CEST | +1 hour | +1 hour |
| BST to IST | +4 hours 30 minutes | +5 hours 30 minutes |
| BST to UTC | -1 hour | Same time |
“By definition” compares the fixed offsets of the abbreviations. “Right now” compares the actual local time in each region today, including daylight saving time.
BST converters
- IST to BSTIndia Standard Time → British Summer Time
- BST to ISTBritish Summer Time → India Standard Time
- EST to BSTEastern Standard Time → British Summer Time
- BST to ESTBritish Summer Time → Eastern Standard Time
- PST to BSTPacific Standard Time → British Summer Time
- BST to PSTBritish Summer Time → Pacific Standard Time
- CET to BSTCentral European Time → British Summer Time
- BST to CETBritish Summer Time → Central European Time
BST FAQs
What is BST?
British Summer Time (BST) is UTC+1, used in the United Kingdom from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October. The rest of the year the UK is on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT, UTC+0). Ireland switches on the same dates to Irish Standard Time.
What is the UTC offset of BST?
BST is always UTC+1. When UK time is not on daylight saving time, it uses GMT (UTC+0) instead.
Is it BST or GMT right now?
UK time is on GMT right now, not BST. GMT is UTC+0, 1 hour behind BST (UTC+1). UK time switches to BST on Sunday, March 28, 2027 at 1:00 AM.
When does UK time switch between GMT and BST?
In 2026, UK time switches to BST on Sunday, March 29, 2026 at 1:00 AM (clocks go forward 1 hour) and back on Sunday, October 25, 2026 at 2:00 AM (clocks go back 1 hour).
Is BST used all year anywhere?
No major region uses BST all year. It is only in effect during daylight saving time; the rest of the year the same places use GMT.
Does BST have other meanings?
Yes. BST can also mean Bangladesh Standard Time (UTC+6). This page covers British Summer Time (UTC+1). When sharing a time, adding the UTC offset avoids confusion.