Ever tried to call someone in El Paso from Dallas and realized you’re basically living in the future? Most people assume Texas is one giant block of time. It’s huge, sure, but it’s just one state, right? Wrong. Texas is actually split between two different time zones, and if you aren't careful, you’ll end up an hour late to your own meeting.
So, what time is it right now in texas? Well, it depends on whether you’re standing in the humid streets of Houston or the high desert of the far west.
Right now, as we sit in January 2026, the vast majority of the Lone Star State is operating on Central Standard Time (CST). If you are in Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, or even the Panhandle, your clock is currently set to UTC-6. But, if you’ve trekked all the way out to El Paso or Hudspeth County, you’ve crossed a literal line in the sand. Out there, they follow Mountain Standard Time (MST), which is UTC-7.
Basically, El Paso is always one hour behind the rest of the state.
👉 See also: Why Nicknames That Start With M are Still the Most Popular Choice
The Great Texas Time Divide
It’s kinda wild when you think about the scale. Texas is so wide that it actually needs two time zones to keep the sun’s position making any sense. Most of the state follows the Central Time Zone. We’re talking about 252 out of 254 counties.
The outliers? Just two. El Paso County and Hudspeth County.
Honestly, El Paso has more in common with New Mexico and Chihuahua, Mexico, when it comes to the rhythm of the day than it does with East Texas. When the sun is high over the Rio Grande in West Texas, the folks in Beaumont are already thinking about their afternoon snack.
There is a weird little exception, though. If you ever find yourself visiting Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Culberson County, you might notice something funky. While the county officially sits in Central Time, the park—and some of the nearby locals—unofficially observes Mountain Time. Why? Because the park is effectively an extension of the New Mexico landscape. It’s just easier for the rangers and the visitors coming from the west to stay on the same page.
Major City Current Times
Let's look at how this actually plays out across the map today.
In Houston, Dallas, and Austin, it is currently Central Standard Time. These cities are the pulse of the state's business and politics. If you’re scheduling a doctor’s appointment or a flight out of DFW, this is the time you’re looking at.
Over in El Paso, it is Mountain Standard Time. One hour earlier. If it’s 10:00 AM in the State Capitol, it’s only 9:00 AM for the Sun City.
What Time Is It Right Now In Texas Regarding Daylight Saving?
We are currently in the thick of winter, which means Texas is on Standard Time. But that’s going to change soon.
In 2026, the big "Spring Forward" happens on Sunday, March 8. At 2:00 AM, almost every clock in Texas will jump forward an hour. Central Standard Time (CST) becomes Central Daylight Time (CDT), and Mountain Standard Time (MST) becomes Mountain Daylight Time (MDT).
Every year, there’s a massive debate in the Texas Legislature about whether we should just stop doing this. You’ve probably heard the rumors. People are tired of losing that hour of sleep. In 2023 and 2025, there were serious bills proposed to keep Texas on permanent Daylight Saving Time. But here’s the catch: even if Texas voters approve it, the federal government has to give the green light under the Uniform Time Act. As of January 2026, we’re still stuck in the loop.
✨ Don't miss: The American Revolution War: What Most People Get Wrong
Traveling Across the "Time Line"
If you’re driving West on I-10, you’ll hit the time change roughly at the border of Culberson and Hudspeth counties. It’s a subtle shift. No sirens go off. Your phone will usually just "blink" and suddenly you’ve gained an hour of your life back.
It’s great for travelers going West—it feels like a little gift. But heading East? It’s a thief. You’ll be driving along, feeling good, and suddenly you’ve lost an hour of daylight and you’re late for dinner in Van Horn.
Pro Tip: If you're booking a bus or a train that travels through West Texas, always double-check the "local time" listed on the ticket. Most carriers like Greyhound or Amtrak are good about specifying, but it’s easy to get confused when you’re crossing county lines in the middle of the night.
Why This Matters for Business and Tech
For folks working in tech hubs like Austin or the "Silicon Prairie" in Dallas, the time zone split is a daily reality.
Texas is a massive exporter. We do business with California (Pacific Time) and New York (Eastern Time) all day long. When you’re in a state that already has two time zones, you get really good at mental math.
👉 See also: St. Patrick's Day Words and the Weird History Behind Them
- New York (ET): 1 hour ahead of Dallas.
- Dallas (CT): The "standard" for Texas.
- El Paso (MT): 1 hour behind Dallas.
- Los Angeles (PT): 2 hours behind Dallas.
If you’re a project manager in Houston trying to coordinate a call between a developer in El Paso and a client in Manhattan, you’re dealing with a three-hour spread. It’s a headache, but it’s just part of the Texas experience.
Actionable Steps for Dealing with Texas Time
If you need to know the exact time in Texas right now for a specific reason, don't just guess. Here is how you stay on track:
- Check the County: If you are dealing with El Paso or Hudspeth, subtract one hour from whatever the "Texas time" is on the news.
- Verify Daylight Saving: Remember that the switch happens the second Sunday in March and the first Sunday in November. Mark your 2026 calendar for March 8th.
- Sync Your Devices: Most modern smartphones use cell tower data to update automatically, but if you’re using a manual watch or an older GPS, you need to be aware of that meridian line near the 105th meridian.
- Meeting Invitations: Always include the time zone abbreviation (CST or MST) in your email invites to avoid "no-shows" from West Texas partners.
The easiest way to think about it? Texas is a giant, and even giants need a little extra time on one side.