Best Time to Call the UK from Canada
Canada changes its clocks on the US dates, so the gap with the UK is usually five hours for Toronto and eight hours for Vancouver, but shrinks by one hour in the weeks when only one side has changed.
Toronto and the east
Toronto is on Eastern Time, five hours behind the UK for most of the year. UK 14:00 is 09:00 in Toronto, which makes the UK afternoon the main calling window.
Vancouver and the west
Vancouver is on Pacific Time, eight hours behind. UK 17:00 is 09:00 in Vancouver, so the overlap is short and falls late in the UK working day.
The changeover weeks
For about three weeks in March and one week in late October to early November, the gap is one hour smaller, for example four hours between the UK and Toronto. Check any recurring meeting in those weeks.
Frequently asked questions
What is the time difference between Canada and the UK?
It ranges from 3.5 hours for Newfoundland to eight hours for British Columbia, and is usually five hours for Toronto.
Clock change guides
- What Is Daylight Saving Time (DST)? A Plain-English GuideWhat daylight saving time is, how it works in the UK, Europe and the US, why it exists, its history, who uses it and the argument over scrapping it.
- Why Do the Clocks Go Back in October? The Real ReasonThe clocks go back in autumn to return the UK to GMT, so winter mornings are lighter. The history, the rule, what time it happens and what changes for you.
- When Do the Clocks Go Forward Again After Going Back?When the UK clocks go forward again after the autumn change, how long the UK stays on GMT, when evenings get lighter and how to remember to reset your clocks.