Ever tried to call someone for a meeting in North Texas and realized you were an hour off? It happens way more than you'd think. If you’re asking what time is it in Arlington Texas, the short answer—right this second—is that Arlington follows Central Standard Time (CST).
Right now, it's 3:13 PM on Saturday, January 17, 2026.
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But honestly, just knowing the current time is only half the battle. Arlington sits in that massive slice of the map known as the Central Time Zone. Because Texas is so huge, people often assume the whole state is on the same page, but Arlington specifically plays by the rules of the IANA time zone identifier America/Chicago.
The Daylight Saving Confusion
Texas weather changes in five minutes. Its time? Twice a year.
Most of the year, Arlington is actually on CDT (Central Daylight Time), not CST. This is where people get tripped up. We are currently in the winter stretch where the clocks have "fallen back."
- Standard Time (CST): This is where we are now. We’re at UTC-6.
- Daylight Saving Time (CDT): We’ll jump to UTC-5 soon.
Mark your calendar for March 8, 2026. At exactly 2:00 AM, the city will "spring forward." You'll lose an hour of sleep, but you'll get that sweet, late-evening Texas sunshine for those tailgate parties at AT&T Stadium.
What Time Is It In Arlington Texas Compared to the Coasts?
Arlington is basically the middle child of American time zones. It’s not as early as LA, but it’s not as late as New York.
If you are trying to coordinate a flight into DFW International or heading to a Rangers game at Globe Life Field, you’ve gotta keep the offsets in mind. Arlington is one hour behind New York (Eastern Time) and two hours ahead of Los Angeles (Pacific Time).
Real-World Offsets
- London: Arlington is 6 hours behind. If it's 9:00 PM in London, it's 3:00 PM in Arlington.
- Tokyo: This one is a brain-melter. Arlington is 15 hours behind.
- Chicago: Zero difference. We're time-zone twins.
Basically, if you’re in a city like Denver, you’re only an hour apart. But if you're calling from Phoenix, remember that Arizona doesn't do the whole "clock-changing" dance. That means the gap between Arlington and Phoenix actually shifts depending on the month. Kinda annoying, right?
Why Arlington's Time Matters for Travelers
Arlington isn't just some suburb; it's the "American Dream City." It’s home to Six Flags Over Texas, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Texas Rangers.
If you're looking at what time is it in Arlington Texas because you have tickets to a game, you need to be precise. Kickoff times are usually listed in Central Time. If you're flying in from the East Coast and your ticket says 7:00 PM, your body is going to think it's 8:00 PM.
The Commuter Trap
Arlington is sandwiched between Dallas and Fort Worth. All three cities share the same time, but the traffic does not care about your watch.
A "30-minute drive" at 10:00 AM is a "90-minute nightmare" at 5:00 PM on I-30. If you have a reservation at 7:00 PM, don't just look at the clock—look at the Google Maps traffic layer. The time on your phone might say you have plenty of time, but the "Arlington Factor" (traffic plus stadium crowds) says otherwise.
Business Hours in the 817
Most offices in Arlington operate on a standard 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM or 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM schedule. However, since the city is such a hub for entertainment, many spots around the Entertainment District stay open way later.
- Six Flags: Hours vary wildly by season.
- Texas Live!: Usually hopping until 2:00 AM on weekends.
- The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA): Campus life never really sleeps, but administrative offices are strictly weekday-only.
Technical Specs of Arlington Time
For the folks who like the nitty-gritty details, here is the breakdown of how Arlington calculates its place in the world.
Arlington is located at 32° 44' N latitude and 97° 06' W longitude. This geographic position determines our solar noon. Today, solar noon—the point where the sun is highest in the sky—happens at 12:38 PM.
We get about 10 hours and 20 minutes of daylight right now.
Important Dates for 2026
- Spring Forward: March 8, 2026 (Move clocks forward 1 hour).
- Fall Back: November 1, 2026 (Move clocks back 1 hour).
There’s always talk in the Texas Legislature about "fixing the clock" and staying on one time year-round. It's a hot topic. Some people want permanent Daylight Saving Time so it’s lighter later. Others want permanent Standard Time. For now, though, we’re still stuck with the biannual switch.
Actionable Steps for Staying on Schedule
If you’re visiting or doing business here, don't just rely on your memory.
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- Sync your devices: Most smartphones do this automatically, but double-check that your "Set Automatically" toggle is ON in settings.
- Confirm the offset: If you're booking an international call, use a tool like Savvy Time or TimeandDate to ensure you aren't waking someone up at 3:00 AM.
- Account for "Stadium Time": If there’s a home game at AT&T Stadium, add an extra hour to your travel plans, regardless of what the clock says.
Arlington is a fast-moving city. Whether you're here for the rollercoasters or a corporate meeting at the Highlands, staying synced with Central Time is the only way to keep up.
To stay prepared for the upcoming shift, set a reminder for the second Sunday in March. That's when the current CST answer to "what time is it in Arlington Texas" officially becomes CDT.