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Current Time in Kentucky

Eastern Time covers most of Kentucky's population, including Louisville, Lexington, and the capital Frankfort, while the western third of the state — Paducah, Bowling Green, Owensboro — runs an hour behind on Central Time.

Capital
Frankfort
Time zone(s)
Eastern Time / Central Time
Daylight saving
Observed
Population
4,500,000

A split time zone state

Eastern Time covers most of Kentucky's population, including Louisville, Lexington, and the capital Frankfort, while the western third of the state — Paducah, Bowling Green, Owensboro — runs an hour behind on Central Time.

Cities in Kentucky

Kentucky vs. other US zones

LocationCurrent timeUTC offsetDifference
Eastern Time4:01 PM EDTUTC-4same time
Central Time3:01 PM CDTUTC-51 hour behind
Mountain Time2:01 PM MDTUTC-62 hours behind
Pacific Time1:01 PM PDTUTC-73 hours behind
Alaska Time12:01 PM AKDTUTC-84 hours behind
Hawaii-Aleutian Time10:01 AM HSTUTC-106 hours behind
Atlantic Time4:01 PM ASTUTC-4same time
Samoa Time9:01 AM GMT-11UTC-117 hours behind
Chamorro Time6:01 AM GMT+10UTC+1014 hours ahead

Frequently asked questions

What time zone is Kentucky in?

Kentucky is split between two time zones. Eastern Time covers most of Kentucky's population, including Louisville, Lexington, and the capital Frankfort, while the western third of the state — Paducah, Bowling Green, Owensboro — runs an hour behind on Central Time.

Does Kentucky observe daylight saving time?

Yes, Kentucky observes daylight saving time, following the same national schedule as most of the country.

What is Kentucky's capital and what time zone is it in?

Frankfort is Kentucky's capital.