What Time Zone Is Arizona In?
Arizona is on Mountain Standard Time (MST, UTC−7) all year. It does not use daylight saving time, so its clocks never change. The exception is the Navajo Nation in the northeast, which does change its clocks. Right now Phoenix is the same time as Los Angeles and 1 hour behind Denver.
- Arizona8:39 AM
- Navajo Nation9:39 AM
Same as California or same as Denver?
Because Arizona stays put while its neighbours change, its relationship to them flips twice a year.
| Period | Arizona matches | Arizona vs. Denver | Arizona vs. Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Second Sunday in March to first Sunday in November | California, Nevada (Pacific Daylight Time) | 1 hour behind | Same time |
| First Sunday in November to second Sunday in March | Utah, Colorado, New Mexico (Mountain Standard Time) | Same time | 1 hour ahead |
The next flip is on Sunday, November 1, 2026, when the rest of the Mountain zone moves its clocks back.
Why Arizona skips daylight saving time
The Uniform Time Act of 1966 set daylight saving time nationwide but let a state opt out and stay on standard time all year. Arizona did. On March 21, 1968, the legislature passed SB 1, putting the state on Mountain Standard Time year-round, and Governor Jack Williams signed it the same day.
The usual reason given is the heat. Moving the clock forward an hour shifts evening activities into the hottest part of the day, and the energy saving that daylight time was meant to bring turned into extra air-conditioning demand.
The Navajo Nation and the Hopi Reservation
The Navajo Nation spreads across northeastern Arizona, northwestern New Mexico and southeastern Utah. To keep one time across its land, it follows daylight saving time like New Mexico and Utah. From March to November it is an hour ahead of the rest of Arizona.
The Hopi Reservation is completely surrounded by the Navajo Nation but follows Arizona and does not change its clocks. In summer, driving east on State Route 264 from Tuba City means changing time six times as the road passes between Navajo and Hopi land.
Time zone of Arizona places
| City | Area | Zone | Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | Maricopa County | Mountain Standard (MST) | 8:39 AM |
| Tucson | Pima County | Mountain Standard (MST) | 8:39 AM |
| Flagstaff | Coconino County | Mountain Standard (MST) | 8:39 AM |
| Grand Canyon Village | Coconino County | Mountain Standard (MST) | 8:39 AM |
| Yuma | Yuma County | Mountain Standard (MST) | 8:39 AM |
| Page | Coconino County | Mountain Standard (MST) | 8:39 AM |
| Kykotsmovi | Hopi Reservation | Mountain Standard (MST) | 8:39 AM |
| Window Rock | Navajo Nation | Mountain, with DST (MDT) | 9:39 AM |
| Tuba City | Navajo Nation | Mountain, with DST (MDT) | 9:39 AM |
| Kayenta | Navajo Nation | Mountain, with DST (MDT) | 9:39 AM |
Which time zone setting to use
On a phone or computer in Arizona, pick Arizona or America/Phoenix, not "Mountain Time". Mountain Time follows Denver and changes in March and November, which leaves you an hour off for most of the year. On the Navajo Nation, Mountain Time (America/Denver) is the right choice.
Other state guides
California · Florida · Michigan · Tennessee · Texas · All 50 states
Not sure which zone your device is on? Check your own time zone.
Sources
- Wikipedia — Time in Arizona
- 15 U.S.C. § 260a — Advancement of time (daylight saving period)
- 49 CFR Part 71 — Standard time zone boundaries
Last checked October 21, 2026.