Singapore Standard Time (SGT) is the time zone used throughout Singapore, maintaining a constant offset
of UTC+8:00 throughout the entire year. As one of the world's leading financial and
business hubs, Singapore's timezone places it strategically in the middle of the Asian business day,
facilitating seamless communication and trade with markets across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
Unlike many countries, Singapore does not observe Daylight Saving Time (DST), which means the time
remains consistent year-round. This stability makes it easier for international businesses, travelers,
and remote workers to coordinate schedules with Singapore without having to account for seasonal time
changes. The consistent UTC+8 offset means Singapore shares the same time zone with other major Asian
cities including Hong Kong, Manila, Perth, and several cities in China.
Singapore's location at UTC+8 provides significant advantages for global business operations. When
Singapore's business day begins at 9:00 AM, it's already evening in major American cities but still
within working hours across Asia and early afternoon in Europe, creating multiple overlapping windows
for international collaboration and trade.
Singapore Business Hours & Best Times to Call
Standard business hours in Singapore typically run from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM SGT, Monday
through Friday. Financial institutions and government offices follow similar schedules, though retail
establishments often operate extended hours from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM or later, particularly in shopping
districts like Orchard Road and Marina Bay.
Best times to call Singapore from major locations:
From India (IST): Call between 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM IST to reach Singapore during
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM SGT (afternoon business hours)
From UK/London (GMT/BST): Call between 1:00 AM - 10:00 AM GMT to reach Singapore
during 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM SGT (full business day)
From US East Coast (EST): Call between 8:00 PM - 5:00 AM EST to reach Singapore
during 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM SGT (requires evening/night calls)
From US West Coast (PST): Call between 5:00 PM - 2:00 AM PST to reach Singapore
during 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM SGT (evening to late night)
From Australia Sydney (AEDT): Call between 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM AEDT to reach
Singapore during 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM SGT (excellent overlap)
Singapore's financial markets operate Monday through Friday with trading hours typically from 9:00 AM to
5:00 PM SGT. The Singapore Exchange (SGX) is one of Asia's leading stock exchanges and trades actively
during these hours, making timing crucial for investors and traders coordinating with global markets.
Singapore Time Differences with Major Cities
Understanding time differences between Singapore and other major global cities is essential for
international business, travel planning, and remote collaboration. Here's a comprehensive breakdown of
how Singapore time (SGT, UTC+8) compares to major cities worldwide:
Asia-Pacific Region
Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, Manila, Perth: Same time as Singapore (UTC+8)
Sydney, Melbourne: 2-3 hours ahead (UTC+10/+11, varies with DST)
Auckland, New Zealand: 4-5 hours ahead (UTC+12/+13, varies with DST)
Europe & Middle East
London (GMT/BST): 8 hours behind Singapore in winter, 7 hours behind in summer
Paris, Berlin, Rome (CET/CEST): 7 hours behind in winter, 6 hours behind in summer
Moscow: 5 hours behind Singapore (UTC+3)
Istanbul: 5 hours behind Singapore (UTC+3)
Americas
New York (EST/EDT): 13 hours behind in winter, 12 hours behind in summer
Los Angeles (PST/PDT): 16 hours behind in winter, 15 hours behind in summer
Chicago (CST/CDT): 14 hours behind in winter, 13 hours behind in summer
Toronto (EST/EDT): 13 hours behind in winter, 12 hours behind in summer
São Paulo: 11 hours behind Singapore (UTC-3)
Pro tip: When scheduling international meetings involving Singapore, the best overlap
times are typically early morning SGT (8-10 AM) for connecting with European afternoon hours, or late
afternoon SGT (4-6 PM) for connecting with early morning hours in US East Coast.
Practical Information About Singapore Time Zone
Singapore's strategic position at UTC+8 makes it a natural bridge between Eastern and Western markets.
Here are key facts and practical considerations when dealing with Singapore time:
Key Facts
Population: Over 5.9 million people use Singapore Standard Time
Coverage: The entire country of Singapore operates on a single time zone with no
regional variations
Abbreviation: SGT (Singapore Standard Time) or SST
UTC Offset: Always UTC+8:00, no seasonal adjustments
Longitude: Singapore's geographic location at approximately 103.8°E naturally
aligns with the UTC+8 time zone
Historical Context: Singapore adopted its current time zone in 1982, previously
using UTC+7:30
Why No Daylight Saving
Time?
Singapore's location near the equator (approximately 1.3° North latitude) means the country experiences
relatively consistent daylight hours throughout the year. Sunrise and sunset times vary by only about 30
minutes between the longest and shortest days of the year. This minimal variation makes Daylight Saving
Time impractical and unnecessary, as the potential energy savings would be negligible and would
complicate international business coordination.
Travel Considerations
Jet Lag from Europe: 6-7 hour time difference can cause moderate jet lag; plan 2-3
days for adjustment
Jet Lag from USA: 12-16 hour time difference (essentially opposite) requires 4-5
days for full adjustment
Jet Lag from Australia: Minimal (2-3 hours) makes travel between Singapore and
Australia relatively easy
Regional Travel: Singapore shares time zones or has minimal differences with most
Southeast Asian destinations
Common Timezone
Confusions
China Standard Time (CST): Singapore shares UTC+8 with China, but "CST" can also
mean Central Standard Time (US), causing confusion in international contexts
Perth vs Sydney: Perth shares Singapore's time zone (UTC+8), but Sydney is 2-3
hours ahead depending on Australian DST
Malaysia: Both Singapore and Malaysia use UTC+8, making cross-border business and
travel seamless
For travelers and business professionals, Singapore's consistent time zone and lack of DST changes make
it one of the most predictable and stable time references in the region. This reliability is
particularly valued by the international business community and has contributed to Singapore's
reputation as a dependable global financial hub.
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Frequently Asked Questions
SGT stands for Singapore Standard Time. It is the time zone used in Singapore, which is UTC+8:00 (8
hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time). Singapore uses the same time zone year-round as it does
not observe daylight saving time.
Yes, Singapore time remains constant throughout the year. Singapore does not observe daylight saving
time (DST). The time zone stays at UTC+8:00 all year long, making it easier for businesses and
travelers to plan activities.
Singapore time is UTC+8:00, which means Singapore is 8 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time
(UTC). For example, when it is 12:00 PM (noon) UTC, it is 8:00 PM in Singapore.
Singapore (SGT) is 2 hours and 30 minutes ahead of India (IST). When it is 12:00 PM in India, it is
2:30 PM in Singapore. This time difference remains constant throughout the year since neither
country observes daylight saving time.
To convert Singapore time (SGT) to India time (IST), subtract 2 hours and 30 minutes from SGT. For
example, if it's 3:00 PM in Singapore, it's 12:30 PM in India. You can also use the converter tool
on this page for instant conversions.