Current Time in UTC-1 Zone
About UTC-1
Discover all countries and IANA time zones in the UTC-1 offset. View the current local time for all locations with this UTC offset.
UTC Offset: UTC-1
What is UTC-1?
UTC-1 is a fixed offset from Coordinated Universal Time: clocks on this offset are always 1 hours behind UTC. Unlike a named time zone, a UTC offset never shifts for daylight saving time. Regions that observe DST alternate between two different UTC offsets across the year, which is why the countries listed below can change with the seasons.
In aviation, shipping, and military usage, UTC-1 corresponds to the November time zone (N), written with the letter suffix N in Zulu notation. Pilots and NATO forces use these letter zones so an order like "0800N" is unambiguous worldwide.
UTC-1 vs GMT-1
On a wall clock, UTC-1 and GMT-1 show the same time. The difference is in what they refer to: UTC is the modern standard kept by atomic clocks and used in computing, aviation, and science, while GMT is the older convention based on mean solar time at Greenwich. Technical systems, logs, and APIs should reference UTC-1.
Time & Daylight in UTC-1
Time Difference Between UTC-1 and Major Cities
Live local time and the difference from UTC-1 right now.
Current time shown is based on the representative IANA zone: Atlantic/Azores
UTC-1: The Fixed Offset and Its Seasonal Visitors
UTC-1 is a fixed time offset of one hour behind Coordinated Universal Time. Unlike named time zones that may shift for daylight saving time, a fixed offset is a constant reference. However, regions that observe DST move onto and off this offset seasonally, meaning the list of countries at UTC-1 changes throughout the year. This article explores what UTC-1 means, which places use it, and practical scheduling tips.
Fixed UTC Offset vs. Named Time Zone
A fixed UTC offset, such as UTC-1, is a simple number: the local time is always exactly one hour behind UTC. In contrast, a named time zone (e.g., Azores Time) may include rules for daylight saving time, causing the offset to change twice a year. For example, the Atlantic/Azores IANA zone observes DST, shifting from UTC-1 in winter to UTC+0 in summer. So while the zone is associated with UTC-1, it only sits there during standard time. Cape Verde, on the other hand, uses Atlantic/Cape_Verde, which has no DST, so it remains at UTC-1 year-round.
Countries and Regions at UTC-1
As of the current standard time period, two countries/regions are on UTC-1: Cape Verde and Portugal (specifically the Azores islands). Cape Verde is an island nation off West Africa, using the Atlantic/Cape_Verde time zone with no DST. The Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal, use Atlantic/Azores, which observes DST. During summer, the Azores move to UTC+0, leaving only Cape Verde on UTC-1. Thus the country list is not static; it changes with DST transitions.
Representative Cities
The primary cities at UTC-1 are Praia (Cape Verde) and Ponta Delgada (Azores, Portugal). Praia is the capital of Cape Verde, located on Santiago Island. Ponta Delgada is the largest city in the Azores, on São Miguel Island. Both cities experience the offset directly, but note that Ponta Delgada shifts to UTC+0 in summer.
Practical Scheduling Notes
When scheduling across UTC-1, remember that the Azores are only on this offset during winter (roughly late October to late March). Cape Verde is always on UTC-1. If you have a meeting at 10:00 UTC, local time in Cape Verde is 09:00. In the Azores during winter, it's also 09:00; during summer, it's 11:00 (UTC+0). Military time uses the letter "N" for UTC-1 (N for November time zone). Note that UTC and GMT are functionally identical for clock display, so UTC-1 is the same as GMT-1.
IANA Zones at UTC-1
The IANA time zone database includes two zones at this standard offset: Atlantic/Azores and Atlantic/Cape_Verde. Atlantic/Azores covers the Portuguese Azores islands and observes DST. Atlantic/Cape_Verde covers the entire country of Cape Verde and does not observe DST. No other IANA zones use UTC-1 as their standard offset.
Seasonal Changes
Because of DST, the Azores leave UTC-1 for UTC+0 in summer. This means that for about half the year, UTC-1 is only used by Cape Verde. Travelers and businesses should verify the current offset for the Azores before scheduling. The transition dates follow European Union rules: clocks spring forward on the last Sunday of March and fall back on the last Sunday of October.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is UTC-1 the same as GMT-1?
Yes, for clock display purposes, UTC and GMT are identical. So UTC-1 is exactly the same as GMT-1. The difference is technical: UTC is an atomic time standard, while GMT is based on solar time, but they are never more than 0.9 seconds apart and are used interchangeably in timekeeping.
Which countries are always on UTC-1?
Only Cape Verde is on UTC-1 year-round. The Azores (Portugal) use UTC-1 only during standard time (winter) and switch to UTC+0 in summer. No other country currently uses UTC-1 as a fixed offset.
What is the military letter for UTC-1?
The military time zone letter for UTC-1 is 'N' (November time zone). It is used in aviation and military operations to denote this offset.
Why does the Azores switch off UTC-1?
The Azores observe daylight saving time, moving clocks forward by one hour in summer to UTC+0. This is to make better use of daylight during longer summer days. The switch follows European Union DST rules.
What is the time difference between Cape Verde and the Azores in summer?
In summer, the Azores are on UTC+0, while Cape Verde remains on UTC-1. So the Azores are one hour ahead of Cape Verde during that period. In winter, both are on UTC-1, so they share the same time.
Are there any other IANA zones at UTC-1?
No, the only IANA zones that use UTC-1 as their standard offset are Atlantic/Azores and Atlantic/Cape_Verde. No other zones have this offset as their base.