Technical Specifications & Standards
Official chronometric properties, ISO standards, and international database registry identifiers for Alaska Standard Time:
Daylight Saving Time (DST) Transitions
⬆️ Spring Forward (Clocks Advance)
Second Sunday in March at 02:00 AM (Clocks advance to AKDT)
⬇️ Fall Back (Clocks Return)
First Sunday in November at 02:00 AM (Clocks return to AKST)
Observing Jurisdictions & Subdivisions
1 Sovereign NationsSovereign nations, administrative subdivisions, and regional territories officially operating under AKST:
Regional Subdivisions & Territory Details
Financial Markets & Trading Hours
A practical refueling and transfer stop between North American fulfillment networks and Asian manufacturing supply chains.
Local Hours: 24/7 Operations
UTC Window: 18:00 - 02:00 UTC
Major Cities in AKST
Primary metropolitan centers and financial hubs observing this time zone:
Adoption History & Astronomical Facts
Year Established: 1983
Until 1983, Alaska was split into four separate time zones: Pacific Time in the panhandle, Yukon Time around Yakutat, Alaska Time in Anchorage and Fairbanks, and Bering Time in Nome. Governor Bill Sheffield signed legislation in late 1983 uniting almost the entire state into a single zone to simplify state government and banking.
In Utqiagvik on Alaska's northern Arctic coast, the sun sets in late November and does not rise above the horizon again until late January, creating 66 consecutive days of polar night.
Frequently Asked Questions about AKST
What does AKST stand for?
AKST stands for Alaska Standard Time, nine hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-9).
How far behind Pacific Time is Alaska?
Alaska is one hour behind Pacific Time. When it is 12:00 PM in Seattle, it is 11:00 AM in Anchorage.
What is the difference between AKST and AKDT?
AKST is the winter schedule at UTC-9, while AKDT is the summer schedule at UTC-8.