Idaho local data guide

Boise, Idaho Time Zone and UTC Offset

Boise, Idaho, is located within the Mountain Time Zone. Because the region observes Daylight Saving Time, its relationship to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) shifts seasonally between UTC-7 and UTC-6.

Updated with grounded research as of 2026-08-24.

The short answer

Boise, Idaho, operates on Mountain Time. During the winter months, it follows Mountain Standard Time (MST), which is UTC-7. During the summer months, it observes Mountain Daylight Time (MDT), which is UTC-6. As of August 24, 2026, the city is currently observing Mountain Daylight Time (UTC-6).

Key facts

Time Zone Name
Mountain Time (Mountain Standard Time / Mountain Daylight Time)
Standard Time Offset (MST)
UTC-7
Daylight Saving Time Offset (MDT)
UTC-6
Current Observation (August 24, 2026)
Mountain Daylight Time (MDT), UTC-6

Understanding Mountain Time

Mountain Time is the standard time zone for the majority of Idaho, including Boise. When planning travel, coordination with business partners, or scheduling remote work across different regions of the United States, it is essential to remember that Idaho is two hours behind Eastern Time and one hour ahead of Pacific Time.

Daylight Saving Time Transitions

Boise follows federal guidelines for Daylight Saving Time. Clocks are adjusted twice annually to accommodate seasonal changes in daylight.

During the spring, clocks move forward one hour, shifting the region from MST (UTC-7) to MDT (UTC-6). During the autumn, clocks move back one hour, returning the region to MST (UTC-7).

Geographic Consistency

While most of Idaho operates on Mountain Time, the northern part of the state (the Idaho Panhandle) observes Pacific Time. If you are relocating or managing real estate transactions across different parts of the state, verify the specific time zone of the county or city to avoid scheduling conflicts.

Common questions

Does all of Idaho use the same time zone?

No. Most of Idaho, including Boise, is in the Mountain Time Zone. However, the northern region of the state, typically considered the Panhandle region, is in the Pacific Time Zone.

When do clocks change in Boise?

Clocks shift forward one hour in early March for the start of Daylight Saving Time and back one hour in early November to return to Standard Time.

Related Idaho questions

  • When does Daylight Saving Time end in Boise, Idaho?
  • Does all of Idaho observe the same time zone?
  • What is the difference between UTC and Mountain Time?

Sources and verification