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Time difference between Beijing and Toronto

Toronto is 12 hours behind Beijing

Beijing, China is UTC+8 · Toronto, Canada is UTC−5 — on standard time

The gap is not the same all year

Every converter gives one number for this pair. That number is right for most of the year and wrong for part of it, because Beijing does not change its clocks and Toronto goes forward on the second Sunday in March and back on the first Sunday in November.

Beijing / Toronto clocksDifferenceHow long
standard / summer12 hours behindabout 34 weeks — most of the year
standard / standard13 hours behindabout 18 weeks

Beijing stays put all year while Toronto moves, so the gap changes twice a year from Toronto's side alone. A recurring meeting set in Beijing's calendar will drift by an hour without anyone touching it.

When they can both be at their desks

Nine-to-five in Beijing and nine-to-five in Toronto do not overlap at all. With 12 hours between them, one side is always outside working hours, and the practical question is which side takes the early start or the late finish rather than when to meet.

Beijing to Toronto, hour by hour

BeijingToronto
12:00 AM12:00 PM (previous day)
1:00 AM1:00 PM (previous day)
2:00 AM2:00 PM (previous day)
3:00 AM3:00 PM (previous day)
4:00 AM4:00 PM (previous day)
5:00 AM5:00 PM (previous day)
6:00 AM6:00 PM (previous day)
7:00 AM7:00 PM (previous day)
8:00 AM8:00 PM (previous day)
9:00 AM9:00 PM (previous day)
10:00 AM10:00 PM (previous day)
11:00 AM11:00 PM (previous day)
12:00 PM12:00 AM
1:00 PM1:00 AM
2:00 PM2:00 AM
3:00 PM3:00 AM
4:00 PM4:00 AM
5:00 PM5:00 AM
6:00 PM6:00 AM
7:00 PM7:00 AM
8:00 PM8:00 AM
9:00 PM9:00 AM
10:00 PM10:00 AM
11:00 PM11:00 AM

On the usual gap of 12 hours.

Frequently asked questions

What is the time difference between Beijing and Toronto?

Toronto is 12 hours behind Beijing for most of the year. It is not the same all year — there is one other gap, because Beijing does not change its clocks and Toronto goes forward on the second Sunday in March and back on the first Sunday in November.

Is Toronto ahead of Beijing?

No — Toronto is 12 hours behind. Beijing is UTC+8 and Toronto is UTC−5 on standard time.

What time is 9 AM in Beijing in Toronto?

9:00 PM (previous day), on the usual gap.

When can Beijing and Toronto meet?

Nine-to-five in Beijing and nine-to-five in Toronto do not overlap at all. One side has to take the call outside working hours, and with 12 hours between them it is worth deciding in advance which side that is.

Other pairs

Every Beijing pair · Every Toronto pair · All city pairs · Time zones by abbreviation