Is London UTC or GMT?

By Robert Palmer

Are you confused whether London is in UTC or GMT? Let’s clear up the confusion once and for all.

What is UTC?

Coordinated Universal Time, or UTC, is the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time. It is also known as “Zulu time” in military terminology. UTC is based on International Atomic Time (TAI) with leap seconds added at irregular intervals to synchronize with Earth’s rotation.

What is GMT?

Greenwich Mean Time, or GMT, was once the world’s standard time. It was used as a basis for calculating worldwide time zones until 1972 when it was replaced by Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). However, GMT is still widely used in Great Britain and other countries during the winter months.

Is London in UTC or GMT?

London observes both UTC and GMT depending on the time of year. During daylight saving time (DST), which starts on the last Sunday of March and ends on the last Sunday of October, London follows British Summer Time (BST), which is one hour ahead of GMT. During non-daylight saving months, London follows Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Conclusion

In summary, London uses both UTC and GMT depending on whether daylight saving time is in effect or not. Make sure to adjust your clocks accordingly if you are traveling to or from London during these times.

  • Tip: To avoid confusion when traveling between different time zones, use a world clock app or website that automatically adjusts for local time.

Remember: Whether you’re conducting business across international borders or planning a vacation abroad, knowing the difference between UTC and GMT can help you stay organized and avoid scheduling mishaps.

Sources

  • https://www.timeanddate.com/time/aboututc.html
  • https://www.com/time/gmt-utc-time.visitlondon.com/traveller-information/getting-around-london/daylight-saving-time-in-london