What is the the Marshall Islands Time Zone?

The Marshall Islands observes just one time zone, which is the following…

Time zone name: Marshall Islands Time
Time zone abbreviation: MHT
Offset: UTC +12
Example city: Majuro

Notes About the Time Zone in the Marshall Islands

All islands and atolls in the Marshall Islands follow the same time zone.

There is no daylight saving time in the Marshall Islands; they follow Marshall Islands Time all year round.

The Marshall Islands experiences fairly consistent daylight hours all year round, with only around 32 minutes of difference between the shortest and longest days.

The average length of daylight in the Marshall Islands is around 12 hours, where the shortest days have around 11 hrs 43 mins of daylight and the longest days have around 12 hrs 32 mins.

Sunrise and Sunset in the Marshall Islands

The sunrise in the Marshall Islands is usually around 6:30 am. The earliest the sun rises is around 6:17 am, while the latest the sun rises is usually around 6:53 am.

The sunset in the Marshall Islands is usually around 6:30 pm. The earliest sunsets happen at around 6:13 pm, while the latest sunsets occur at about 6:55 pm.

Learn more about the weather and climate in the Marshall Islands in our guide, Marshall Islands Weather, Seasons & Climate + Weather by Month.

No other countries follow Marshall Islands Time (MHT) exactly. However, a few countries and territories are in the same time zone at UTC +12 (i.e. when it’s 9 am in the Marshall Islands, it’s 9 am on the same day in Nauru).

Other Countries and Territories in UTC +12

• Nauru
• Tuvalu
• Kiribati (Gilbert Islands)
• Wallis and Futuna
• Wake Island
• Fiji
• New Zealand (when not in summertime)

The Marshall Islands might keep things simple today with just one time zone, but its position near the International Date Line gives it a few interesting time-related quirks.

One of the First Countries to See the New Day

The Marshall Islands is one of the first countries in the world to experience the new day, thanks to its position west of the International Date Line.

That means when the calendar changes in the Marshall Islands, much of the world is still enjoying the previous day. Handy for New Year celebrations, less handy when you forget what day your friends back home are living in.

Close to the International Date Line

The Marshall Islands sits close to the International Date Line, the imaginary line that separates one calendar day from the next.

Because the Marshall Islands is on the western side of the line, it shares its calendar day with other Pacific destinations in UTC +12, rather than with places on the eastern side of the line, such as Hawai‘i.

Kwajalein Once Changed Its Date

Here’s a fun one: Kwajalein Atoll once observed a different date from the rest of the Marshall Islands due to its links with the United States.

In 1993, Kwajalein shifted to match the rest of the country’s time zone, skipping a calendar day in the process. So yes, the Marshall Islands has its own “lost day” time zone story too!

No Daylight Saving Time

The Marshall Islands does not observe daylight saving time. Instead, the country follows Marshall Islands Time all year round.

In other words, no changing clocks, no wondering whether your phone updated itself and no blaming daylight saving for missing breakfast.

Finally, let’s take a look at some of the most frequent questions travellers have about the time zone in the Marshall Islands.

How Far Behind NZ Is the Marshall Islands?

During New Zealand’s daylight saving time, the Marshall Islands is one hour behind New Zealand.

Outside of New Zealand’s daylight saving time, the Marshall Islands has the same time as New Zealand.

How Far Ahead Is the Marshall Islands Compared to Hawai‘i?

The Marshall Islands is 22 hours ahead of Hawai‘i.

Another way to understand the difference is that the Marshall Islands is two hours behind Hawai‘i on the clock but on the following calendar day. For example, when it is 09 am on Monday in Majuro, it is 11 am on Sunday in Honolulu.

What Is the Time Difference Between the Marshall Islands and Guam?

The Marshall Islands is two hours ahead of Guam. For example, when it is 12 pm in Guam, it is 2 pm in the Marshall Islands. Neither destination observes daylight saving time, so the difference stays the same year-round.

What Is the Time Difference Between the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia?

The time difference depends on which island state you are visiting. The Marshall Islands is one hour ahead of Pohnpei and Kosrae, which follow UTC +11. It is two hours ahead of Chuuk and Yap, which follow UTC +10. For example, when it is 12 pm in Pohnpei, it is 1 pm in Majuro.

How Far Ahead Is the Marshall Islands Compared to the Philippines and Taiwan?

The Marshall Islands is four hours ahead of both the Philippines and Taiwan. For example, when it is 08 am in Manila or Taipei, it is 12 pm in Majuro. None of these destinations currently observes daylight saving time, so the difference remains consistent throughout the year.

What Time Zone Is the Marshall Islands In?

The Marshall Islands follows Marshall Islands Time, abbreviated as MHT, which is UTC +12.

Does the Marshall Islands Have Daylight Saving Time?

No, the Marshall Islands does not observe daylight saving time. The country follows Marshall Islands Time all year round.

Is the Marshall Islands One of the First Countries to See the New Day?

Yes, the Marshall Islands is one of the first countries in the world to experience the new day, thanks to its position west of the International Date Line.