Current Time in GMT − 1 Zone
About GMT-1
GMT-1 is one hour behind Greenwich Mean Time. It is used year-round by the nation of Cape Verde. It is also used by Portugal's Azores islands during winter and by parts of Greenland during summer as their Daylight Saving Time.
UTC Offset: GMT-1
What is GMT-1?
GMT-1 means Greenwich Mean Time 1 hours behind the Greenwich meridian, the historical reference line running through the Royal Observatory in London. GMT offsets are the everyday way many countries, broadcasters, and travel timetables describe their local time relative to the UK.
Note that some of the countries listed below sit on GMT-1 for only part of the year: when daylight saving time starts or ends they move one hour, so always check the live local times shown on this page or on each country's own page.
GMT-1 vs UTC-1
For everyday purposes GMT-1 and UTC-1 are the same wall-clock time. GMT is the traditional name based on mean solar time at Greenwich, while UTC is the modern atomic-time standard used by computers and aviation. If you are setting a meeting or catching a flight, either works; if you are configuring a server, use UTC-1.
Time & Daylight in GMT-1
Time Difference Between GMT-1 and Major Cities
Live local time and the difference from GMT-1 right now.
Current time shown is based on the representative IANA zone: Atlantic/Azores
GMT-1: The Fixed Offset and Its Seasonal Dance
GMT-1 (UTC-1) is a fixed time offset one hour behind Coordinated Universal Time. Unlike named time zones that may include daylight saving shifts, a fixed offset like GMT-1 stays constant year-round. However, regions that observe DST move onto this offset for part of the year, making the list of places at GMT-1 dynamic across seasons.
Fixed Offset vs. Named Time Zone
A fixed UTC offset, such as UTC-1, is simply a number: the local time is always UTC minus one hour. A named time zone, like Atlantic/Azores, can include rules for daylight saving time (DST), meaning its offset changes twice a year. When a named zone switches to DST, its offset shifts (e.g., from UTC-1 to UTC+0), so it is no longer at GMT-1. Therefore, the set of countries and regions at GMT-1 is not static; it depends on whether DST is in effect.
Regions and Cities at GMT-1
Currently, two main regions use GMT-1 as their standard time (winter time):
- Cape Verde (Atlantic/Cape_Verde) – The entire country, including the capital Praia, uses GMT-1 year-round. Cape Verde does not observe DST, so it is always at this offset.
- Portugal (Azores islands) (Atlantic/Azores) – The Azores archipelago uses GMT-1 as standard time. During summer, the Azores shift to GMT+0 (DST), so they are only at GMT-1 from late October to late March.
Representative cities: Ponta Delgada (Azores), Praia (Cape Verde).
Seasonal Movement
Because the Azores observe DST, they move off GMT-1 for about seven months each year. During the DST period (late March to late October), the Azores are at GMT+0. Cape Verde remains at GMT-1 all year. So if you look at a list of places at GMT-1 in July, you will only see Cape Verde; in January, both Cape Verde and the Azores are on GMT-1.
Practical Scheduling Notes
When scheduling across GMT-1, remember:
- Cape Verde time is always UTC-1. No DST changes.
- Azores time is UTC-1 in winter (October to March) and UTC+0 in summer (March to October).
- The offset is often written as UTC-1 or GMT-1. In military/Zulu time, the letter "N" (November) designates UTC-1.
- UTC and GMT read the same on a clock; both are the same time standard. So GMT-1 and UTC-1 are identical in practice.
Historical and Technical Notes
GMT-1 is one of the lesser-used offsets. It is also used by some uninhabited territories and research stations. The IANA time zone database includes Atlantic/Azores and Atlantic/Cape_Verde at this offset. No other populated regions currently use GMT-1 as standard time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does GMT-1 mean?
GMT-1 means the local time is one hour behind Greenwich Mean Time (UTC). For example, when it is 12:00 UTC, it is 11:00 in a GMT-1 region.
Which countries are always on GMT-1?
Cape Verde is the only country that uses GMT-1 year-round. The Azores (Portugal) use it only during standard time (winter).
Does the Azores observe daylight saving time?
Yes, the Azores observe DST. From the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October, they move to GMT+0 (UTC+0). The rest of the year they are on GMT-1.
What is the military letter for GMT-1?
The military time zone letter for UTC-1 is "N" (November). It is used in aviation and military communications.
Is UTC-1 the same as GMT-1?
Yes, UTC and GMT are functionally the same time standard. So UTC-1 and GMT-1 are identical on a clock.
What major cities are in GMT-1?
The main cities are Ponta Delgada in the Azores (Portugal) and Praia in Cape Verde.