Current local time in Shanghai
Shanghai, China, uses the Asia/Shanghai time zone (China Standard Time). There is no daylight saving: the offset stays UTC+8 all year. Below: the live clock, exact clock-change dates, sunrise and sunset, and the best times to call other cities.
- Time zone
- China Standard Time
- UTC offset now
- UTC+8
- Daylight saving
- Not observed
- Dialing code
- +86
The time zone, at a glance.
Shanghai follows Asia/Shanghai. No UTC-offset changes are scheduled during 2026 under the current time zone rules. For an appointment, use the date of the event: another city can change its clocks even when this one does not.
Offsets shown at local noon on the 15th of each month, 2026. Exact transition instants are listed below.
When do the clocks change?
2026
No clock change scheduled in 2026. Shanghai stays on UTC+8 throughout this calendar year.
2027
No clock change scheduled in 2027. Shanghai stays on UTC+8 throughout this calendar year.
Future dates reflect the time zone database available at build time (2026-10-22), not a promise that governments will leave the rules unchanged. See the international clock-change calendar →
How the light changes in Shanghai.
Of these monthly samples, Jun has the most daylight (14h 10m) and Dec the least (10h 8m).
| Date in 2026 | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight | UTC offset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 15 | 6:53 AM | 5:13 PM | 10h 20m | UTC+8 |
| Feb 15 | 6:35 AM | 5:41 PM | 11h 5m | UTC+8 |
| Mar 15 | 6:04 AM | 6:01 PM | 11h 57m | UTC+8 |
| Apr 15 | 5:26 AM | 6:22 PM | 12h 56m | UTC+8 |
| May 15 | 4:58 AM | 6:42 PM | 13h 44m | UTC+8 |
| Jun 15 | 4:49 AM | 6:59 PM | 14h 10m | UTC+8 |
| Jul 15 | 5:00 AM | 6:59 PM | 13h 59m | UTC+8 |
| Aug 15 | 5:19 AM | 6:37 PM | 13h 18m | UTC+8 |
| Sep 15 | 5:38 AM | 6:00 PM | 12h 22m | UTC+8 |
| Oct 15 | 5:56 AM | 5:22 PM | 11h 26m | UTC+8 |
| Nov 15 | 6:20 AM | 4:55 PM | 10h 35m | UTC+8 |
| Dec 15 | 6:44 AM | 4:53 PM | 10h 8m | UTC+8 |
Local civil times; a jump in sunrise on the clock can reflect daylight saving, not an abrupt change in the Sun’s movement.
Compare Shanghai with your world.
Add cities, choose the actual date, and preview your weekly meeting across clock changes.
Best times to call from Shanghai
One-hour calls on Thursday, October 22, 2026, preferring 9 am – 5 pm on both sides. Times are Shanghai time unless marked.
| Calling | Difference | Best one-hour window | Fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 12 hours behind | 7:00 AM–9:00 AM (7:00 PM–9:00 PM there) | Early or late for someone |
| London | 7 hours behind | 4:00 PM–5:00 PM (9:00 AM–10:00 AM there) | Working hours for both |
| Tokyo | 1 hour ahead | 9:00 AM–4:00 PM (10:00 AM–5:00 PM there) | Working hours for both |
| Los Angeles | 15 hours behind | 7:00 AM–8:00 AM (4:00 PM–5:00 PM there) | Early or late for someone |
| Sydney | 3 hours ahead | 9:00 AM–2:00 PM (12:00 PM–5:00 PM there) | Working hours for both |
| Dubai | 4 hours behind | 1:00 PM–5:00 PM (9:00 AM–1:00 PM there) | Working hours for both |
Calculated for the date above; differences can change around clock-change dates. Public holidays and personal schedules are not included.
Upcoming public holidays
National holidays in China, when offices and banks are often closed. Regional holidays are not listed.
- Fri, Jan 1, 2027 · New Year's Day
- Fri, Feb 5, 2027 · Spring Festival
- Sat, Feb 6, 2027 · Spring Festival
- Sun, Feb 7, 2027 · Spring Festival
- Mon, Mar 8, 2027 · International Women's Day
- Mon, Apr 5, 2027 · Qingming Festival
Airports serving Shanghai
Flight times are published in each airport’s local time. Airports with scheduled service within 80 km; straight-line distance from the city center.
- SHA Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport · 14 km
- PVG Shanghai Pudong International Airport · 33 km
Places that share Shanghai’s clock
These places use the same Asia/Shanghai rules, so their time always matches Shanghai, including clock changes.
- Beijing
- Guangzhou
- Wuhan
- Tianjin
- Dongguan
- Shenzhen
- Shenyeng
- Nanjing
- Taiyuan
- Dalian
- Hangzhou
- Zhangzhou
- Jinan
- Changsha
- Zhengzhou
- Qingdao
- Shijianzhuang
- Xiangtan
- Nanchang
- Suzhou
Also on UTC+8 today
Countries with places on the same offset on 2026-10-22. Their clocks match Shanghai today but may differ after a clock change.
- Philippines
- Hong Kong S.A.R.
- Taiwan
- Singapore
- Malaysia
- Indonesia
- Australia
- Mongolia
- Russia
- Macau S.A.R
- Brunei
Questions about time in Shanghai
What time zone is Shanghai in?
Shanghai uses the IANA time zone Asia/Shanghai, known as China Standard Time. Its offset is UTC+8 all year.
Does Shanghai observe daylight saving time?
No. Shanghai keeps UTC+8 all year.
What is the time difference between Shanghai and other major cities?
On Thursday, October 22, 2026: New York is 12 hours behind Shanghai; London is 7 hours behind Shanghai; Tokyo is 1 hour ahead of Shanghai; Los Angeles is 15 hours behind Shanghai; Sydney is 3 hours ahead of Shanghai; Dubai is 4 hours behind Shanghai.
How do I call Shanghai from abroad?
Dial your international access code (or + on a mobile), then +86, then the local number without its leading trunk zero where one is used. Check the best calling windows above before you dial.
What these numbers can—and cannot—tell you.
The live clock converts your device’s time with your browser’s IANA-based time zone data. It does not independently synchronize your clock. The solar calculations use SunCalc with representative city-center coordinates; civil sunrise and sunset are approximate horizon events, not weather forecasts.
Our date-aware calculations are more useful than treating Shanghai as a permanently fixed abbreviation. For calendar software, use Asia/Shanghai. For a one-off invitation, include the full date and a shared conversion link. Read the methodology and data limitations.