UTC
Coordinated Universal Time
Global reference
Now in UTC:
UTC — Coordinated Universal Time
Quick facts
- Abbreviation
- UTC
- Full name
- Coordinated Universal Time
- UTC offset
- UTC
- Type
- Standard time
- Used in
- Global reference
- Example zone
- Etc/UTC
Cities that use UTC
About UTC
UTC is the abbreviation for Coordinated Universal Time, a time zone offset of UTC. It applies in Global reference.
The primary time standard the world sets its clocks by. It never changes for daylight saving. UTC replaced GMT as the technical standard, though the two are the same to the second for everyday use.
Time-zone abbreviations are convenient but not unique or official — several codes are shared by more than one zone. When precision matters, use the underlying IANA zone name (for example Etc/UTC) or the UTC offset UTC instead.
Frequently asked questions
- What does UTC stand for?
- UTC stands for Coordinated Universal Time. It is UTC, used in Global reference. The primary time standard the world sets its clocks by. It never changes for daylight saving. UTC replaced GMT as the technical standard, though the two are the same to the second for everyday use.
- What is the UTC offset of UTC?
- UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) is UTC.
- Does UTC change for daylight saving time?
- Regions on UTC generally keep this offset year-round rather than switching for daylight saving.
See also: all time zone abbreviations