Current Time in Etc/GMT+1 Time Zone
IANA Name: Etc/GMT+1
Standard Offset: UTC −01:00
Daylight Saving: No
Currently Observing DST: No ❌
Etc/GMT+1: The UTC-01:00 Time Zone Without Daylight Saving
Etc/GMT+1 is a time zone identifier in the IANA time zone database that represents a fixed offset of UTC-01:00. Despite its name, the offset is one hour behind Coordinated Universal Time, not ahead. This zone does not observe daylight saving time, meaning its offset remains constant throughout the year. It is primarily used in the Atlantic Ocean region, including the Azores (Portugal) and Cape Verde.
Understanding the Etc/GMT+1 Offset and Abbreviation
The IANA time zone naming convention uses the prefix "Etc/GMT" followed by a signed offset. In this system, positive numbers indicate zones west of Greenwich (behind UTC), and negative numbers indicate zones east (ahead). Thus, Etc/GMT+1 corresponds to UTC-01:00. This is the opposite of common usage, where GMT+1 would mean ahead. The zone abbreviation for Etc/GMT+1 is typically "-01" or "GMT-1" in informal contexts, but the IANA identifier remains Etc/GMT+1.
Daylight Saving Time: Absent in Etc/GMT+1
Etc/GMT+1 does not observe daylight saving time. The offset is fixed at UTC-01:00 all year. This means there is no spring-forward or fall-back adjustment. The annual rhythm is flat: sunrise, noon, and sunset occur at nearly the same clock times every day. This stability simplifies scheduling for regions that use this zone, as there is no need to adjust clocks twice a year.
Where Etc/GMT+1 Applies: Countries and Cities
Etc/GMT+1 is used in the following territories:
- Azores (Portugal): The archipelago in the North Atlantic uses Etc/GMT+1 as its standard time zone (Atlantic/Azores). Major cities include Ponta Delgada, Angra do Heroísmo, and Horta.
- Cape Verde: The island nation off the coast of West Africa uses Etc/GMT+1 year-round (Atlantic/Cape_Verde). The capital is Praia; other cities include Mindelo and Santa Maria.
Both regions are in the Atlantic Ocean, and their time zone reflects their longitude west of the Prime Meridian. Note that the Azores observe daylight saving time in practice (moving to UTC+00:00 in summer), but the IANA zone Atlantic/Azores includes DST rules. Etc/GMT+1 represents the standard time without DST. For Cape Verde, DST is not observed, so Etc/GMT+1 matches their actual time all year.
Business Hours and Scheduling Across Time Zones
Etc/GMT+1 (UTC-01:00) is one hour behind UTC. Common business hours (9:00-17:00 local) correspond to 10:00-18:00 UTC. When scheduling with other regions:
- UTC (London winter): Etc/GMT+1 is 1 hour behind. 9:00 AM in Praia is 10:00 AM in London.
- Eastern Time (ET, UTC-05:00 standard): Etc/GMT+1 is 4 hours ahead. 9:00 AM in New York is 1:00 PM in Cape Verde.
- Central European Time (CET, UTC+01:00): Etc/GMT+1 is 2 hours behind. 9:00 AM in Berlin is 7:00 AM in Ponta Delgada.
- Brazil (BRT, UTC-03:00): Etc/GMT+1 is 2 hours ahead. 9:00 AM in São Paulo is 11:00 AM in Cape Verde.
For conference calls, aim for overlap between 10:00-15:00 UTC (9:00-14:00 local) to accommodate both sides. Because Etc/GMT+1 does not use DST, its offset relative to zones that do change twice a year shifts seasonally. For example, during European summer (CEST, UTC+02:00), the difference becomes 3 hours instead of 2.
Other IANA Zones at the Same Offset
The IANA database includes two other zones with standard offset UTC-01:00: Atlantic/Azores and Atlantic/Cape_Verde. These are the canonical zones for the regions that use this offset. Etc/GMT+1 is a convenience zone for programming and system use, not tied to a specific political entity. It is often used in Unix-like systems for time zone calculations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Etc/GMT+1 actually UTC-01:00?
The IANA database uses a reversed sign convention for the Etc/GMT zones. Positive numbers indicate west of Greenwich (behind UTC), so Etc/GMT+1 means UTC-01:00. This matches the POSIX standard but can be confusing.
Does Etc/GMT+1 observe daylight saving time?
No. Etc/GMT+1 is a fixed offset zone with no DST. The offset remains UTC-01:00 all year.
What countries use Etc/GMT+1?
Etc/GMT+1 is used by Cape Verde (year-round) and the Azores (Portugal) as standard time. However, the Azores do observe DST in practice, moving to UTC+00:00 in summer.
What is the time difference between Etc/GMT+1 and UTC?
Etc/GMT+1 is 1 hour behind UTC. For example, when it is 12:00 UTC, it is 11:00 in Etc/GMT+1.
How do I convert Etc/GMT+1 to my local time?
Determine your own UTC offset. Then subtract 1 hour from your offset if you are ahead of UTC, or add 1 hour if you are behind. For example, if you are in UTC+02:00, Etc/GMT+1 is 3 hours behind you.
Is Etc/GMT+1 the same as Atlantic/Azores?
Not exactly. Atlantic/Azores is the canonical zone for the Azores and includes DST rules. Etc/GMT+1 is a fixed offset zone that matches the standard time but does not change for DST. For Cape Verde, which has no DST, both are equivalent.