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Arizona, United States

Most of Arizona remains on Mountain Standard Time throughout the year and does not observe daylight saving. The Navajo Nation does observe seasonal clock changes, so a precise location is important when checking Arizona time, appointments, travel, or sunrise.

Phoenix, United States

8:02:28 AM

Wednesday, 4 November 2026

UTC−7 · America/Phoenix

Time and sun data for Phoenix — the administrative centre of Arizona

The sun in Phoenix

Sunrise 6:51 AM Solar noon 12:13 PM Sunset 5:35 PM Daylight 10 h 44 min Night 13 h 16 min Civil twilight 6:25 AM – 6:01 PM

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Current time in Arizona, United States

Arizona is a southwestern U.S. state with an important timekeeping exception. Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, Scottsdale, and most other communities use Mountain Standard Time, UTC−7, all year rather than moving their clocks each spring and autumn.

The Navajo Nation observes daylight saving time. Because its territory extends across state boundaries and includes land in Arizona, the local clock there can differ seasonally from Phoenix. The Hopi Reservation, although surrounded by Navajo Nation land, does not observe daylight saving.

Consequently, a bare label such as “Arizona time” is not always precise enough. For reservations, border areas, and travel routes, confirm the named community and current offset. Arizona saves daylight by declining to rearrange the clocks, except where the map says otherwise.

Phoenix time and Arizona’s local exceptions

Phoenix is Arizona’s largest city and provides the usual reference for the state’s time. Tucson, Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, and Glendale follow the same year-round Mountain Standard Time. Phoenix stays on MST throughout the year.

Tucson and Mesa keep the same time as Phoenix. The Navajo Nation observes daylight saving time. The Hopi Reservation does not observe daylight saving time. A route through reservation lands can involve a clock change.

During the daylight-saving period elsewhere, Phoenix has the same clock time as places using Pacific Daylight Time. During standard time, it matches other locations on Mountain Standard Time. This changing relationship often causes more confusion than Arizona’s own steady clock.

Sunrise in a state that keeps steady clocks

Arizona’s lack of a statewide seasonal clock shift makes sunrise comparisons easier in most cities: changes in the displayed sunrise time mainly follow the Sun’s seasonal movement rather than a one-hour clock adjustment.

Location still matters. Eastern Arizona generally reaches sunrise earlier by the clock than the western part of the state, while latitude affects seasonal day length. Mountains, canyon walls, and buildings can delay the first direct rays seen from the ground.

For a hike or desert drive, check the date and nearest location. Astronomical sunrise is not the same as full daylight on a shaded trail, and high temperatures or difficult terrain may make twilight information useful for planning.

Questions and answers

Does Arizona observe daylight saving time?: Most of Arizona does not. The Navajo Nation observes it, while the Hopi Reservation does not.
What time zone is Phoenix in?: Phoenix uses Mountain Standard Time, UTC−7, throughout the year.
Is sunrise the same across Arizona?: No. Its time depends on the date and coordinates, while the visible appearance of the Sun also depends on terrain and the local horizon.