EST to KST Converter

Category: Time Zone Converters

- June 30, 2025

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Eastern Standard Time (EST)

UTC-5 • New York, Washington DC, Atlanta, Toronto

Conversion Settings

Configure your timezone conversion preferences

Auto Convert

Daylight Saving Aware

Show UTC Offset

Show Seconds

Korea Standard Time (KST)

UTC+9 • Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Daegu

--:--:--

Select a time to convert

Time Difference: --

UTC Offset (EST): -5

UTC Offset (KST): +9

DST Status: --

EST Time: --

KST Time: --

Time Format:

Current EST: --:--:--

Current KST: --:--:--

🌏 KST never observes daylight saving time and is always UTC+9. EST becomes EDT (UTC-4) during summer, changing the time difference from 14 to 13 hours.

EST to KST Conversion Guide

What is EST to KST Conversion?

EST to KST conversion helps you translate time between Eastern Standard Time and Korea Standard Time zones. EST is UTC-5 and is observed in the eastern US during winter months (November to March). KST is UTC+9 and is observed in South Korea year-round without any daylight saving time changes. KST is 14 hours ahead of EST (13 hours ahead when EST becomes EDT during summer).

Time Zone Information

Eastern Standard Time (EST): Used in eastern US including New York, Washington DC, Atlanta during winter. UTC-5 from November to March, becomes EDT (UTC-4) in summer.

Korea Standard Time (KST): Used throughout South Korea including Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Daegu. Always UTC+9 with no daylight saving time adjustments ever.

Time Difference: KST is 14 hours ahead of EST in winter, 13 hours ahead when EST becomes EDT in summer.

Daylight Saving Time Impact

United States (EST/EDT): EST (UTC-5) from November to March, EDT (UTC-4) from second Sunday in March to first Sunday in November

South Korea (KST): Never observes daylight saving time - KST remains UTC+9 throughout the year

Variable Difference: The time difference changes between 13-14 hours depending on whether the US is observing daylight saving time

Date Line Crossing: Due to the large time difference, converting time often results in the next day in Korea

Common Conversion Examples

Winter Period (EST)

EST 9:00 AM → KST 11:00 PM (same day)

EST 5:00 PM → KST 7:00 AM (next day)

14-hour difference during winter

Summer Period (EDT)

EDT 9:00 AM → KST 10:00 PM (same day)

EDT 5:00 PM → KST 6:00 AM (next day)

13-hour difference during summer

Business Meetings

Best EST Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Converts to KST: 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM (next day)

Optimal for international calls

Early Morning Korea

EST 7:00 AM → KST 9:00 PM (same day)

EST 11:00 AM → KST 1:00 AM (next day)

Morning in US = evening in Korea

Conversion Tips & Best Practices

• The time difference varies between 13-14 hours depending on US daylight saving time

• Converting time often results in the next day in Korea due to the large time difference

• Best meeting times are EST evening (6-8 PM) = KST morning (8-10 AM next day)

• Korea never observes daylight saving time, making it one of the few major economies with stable time

• Consider Korean business culture - avoid scheduling during late evening Korean time

• This is one of the largest time differences between major business centers (nearly half a day)

EST to KST Time Converter

Coordinating across Eastern Standard Time (EST) and Korea Standard Time (KST)? Whether you're setting up a late-night meeting from New York or catching a webinar from Seoul, this converter helps you skip the guesswork. Below is a quick view of the countries using each timezone. You’ll find which nations are synced to EST or KST, with their flags right next to them for easy scanning.

EST Countries 🇺🇸 (UTC-5 / UTC-4 in summer)	KST Countries 🇰🇷 (UTC+9)
🇺🇸 United States (Eastern states) 🇨🇦 Canada (Ontario, Quebec) 🇧🇸 Bahamas 🇨🇺 Cuba 🇯🇲 Jamaica 🇭🇹 Haiti 🇰🇾 Cayman Islands 🇹🇨 Turks and Caicos Islands	🇰🇷 South Korea 🇯🇵 Japan (uses JST, same UTC offset) 🇵🇼 Palau 🇹🇲 Turkmenistan 🇹🇯 Tajikistan 🇷🇺 Russia (Yakutsk Time zone) 🇮🇩 Indonesia (eastern provinces) 🇹🇼 Taiwan 🇲🇳 Mongolia (eastern region)

Why This Time Converter Makes Life Easier

This tool converts time between Eastern Standard Time (used in parts of the US, Canada, and the Caribbean) and Korea Standard Time (used in South Korea and surrounding regions). It’s perfect for remote workers, international students, families staying in touch, or businesses running on opposite ends of the globe. One quick input and it tells you exactly what time it is on the other side.

Using the Converter Without Getting Lost

Pick a Date and Time

Start by selecting a date and time in the EST or KST field. You can use the calendar and clock input to make it easy. The input section clearly labels what zone you’re working in.

Choose Your Input Timezone

Use the dropdown to decide if you're starting with EST or KST. The tool will automatically convert to the other timezone. Want to flip it? Hit the "Swap" button and the roles switch.

Auto Convert, or Convert Manually

By default, the calculator updates automatically as you adjust the date and time. If you’d rather control it manually, uncheck “Auto Convert” and use the Convert button instead.

See Live Clocks

Along the side, you’ll find live current times for both EST and KST. They update every second, so you always know what time it is right now in both zones.

What You Can Tweak and Toggle

Daylight Saving Awareness

With the “Daylight Saving Aware” setting on, the converter will account for the US shifting between EST and EDT. That changes the time gap from 14 to 13 hours depending on the season. This setting is already turned on, but you can toggle it off if you’re working with non-DST schedules.

Show Seconds and UTC Offsets

Need precision? Check the boxes for “Show Seconds” or “Show UTC Offset” to get more detail in the output. Ideal for tech scheduling or timestamp alignment.

12 or 24 Hour Format

Click the time format toggle at the bottom to switch between 12-hour and 24-hour time. Whichever format helps you think faster, it’s got you covered.

Use "Now" and "Reset"

Need to base the conversion off the current time? Hit the “Now” button and the input auto-fills with your timezone’s current date and time. Want to start over? “Reset” clears everything and puts it back to EST with the current time.

One Tool, Many Real Situations

If you're scheduling an interview from Atlanta to Seoul, you can plug in your 6 PM EST and instantly see that it’s 8 AM KST the next day. No mental math, no accidental calls in the middle of the night. Similarly, a tech team in Toronto can align with a product manager in Busan, making sure deadlines are set based on working hours for both sides.

Stay on Track with Time Zones From New York to Seoul

This tool cuts out the confusion and gives you clean, accurate conversions with no fluff. Whether you're handling deadlines, planning virtual meetings, or just figuring out when to call family, this converter keeps both sides of the ocean in sync. Plug in your time, flip the zones, and move forward with confidence.