Compare times across different timezones worldwide
American Samoa operates on Samoa Standard Time (SST), which is UTC-11:00. This makes it one of the last places on Earth to enter each new day. Unlike many regions, American Samoa does not observe Daylight Saving Time, so the time remains consistent year-round at 11 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time.
Whether you’re planning a call to family in Pago Pago, scheduling a business meeting, or preparing for travel, understanding American Samoa’s unique timezone is essential. The territory’s position in the South Pacific creates significant time differences with most of the world, making it crucial to check the current time before connecting.
Understanding American Samoa’s Time Zone
American Samoa uses Samoa Standard Time (SST/UTC-11:00) throughout the year. As a US territory in the South Pacific, it sits west of the International Date Line, placing it almost a full day behind many Asian and Pacific nations despite its geographic proximity.
The timezone remains stable because American Samoa does not participate in Daylight Saving Time. When you calculate the time difference, you can rely on it staying the same regardless of the season. This consistency makes scheduling easier once you know the base offset.
Interestingly, American Samoa is one of the last inhabited places to welcome each new year. While most of the world has already celebrated, American Samoa and a few other Pacific locations are still in the previous day.
Time Difference: American Samoa vs Major Cities
Understanding how American Samoa’s time compares to other major cities helps with scheduling calls, meetings, and travel plans:
From the United States:
New York (EST): American Samoa is 6 hours behind (5 hours during EDT)
Los Angeles (PST): American Samoa is 3 hours behind (2 hours during PDT)
Chicago (CST): American Samoa is 5 hours behind (4 hours during CDT)
Honolulu, Hawaii (HST): American Samoa is 1 hour behind
From Other Regions:
London, UK: American Samoa is 11 hours behind GMT (12 hours during BST)
Manila, Philippines: American Samoa is 19 hours behind (or 5 hours ahead the previous day)
Sydney, Australia: American Samoa is 21 hours behind (or 3 hours ahead the previous day)
Tokyo, Japan: American Samoa is 20 hours behind (or 4 hours ahead the previous day)
When it’s 9:00 AM on Friday in American Samoa, it’s 3:00 PM Friday in New York, 8:00 PM Friday in London, and 4:00 AM Saturday in Manila.
American Samoa vs Samoa: The 24-Hour Mystery
One of the most confusing aspects of Pacific timezones is the dramatic difference between American Samoa and its neighbor, the independent nation of Samoa. Despite being only about 100 miles apart, these islands are separated by approximately 24 hours due to their positions on opposite sides of the International Date Line.
In 2011, Samoa made the historic decision to switch sides of the dateline, moving from UTC-11:00 to UTC+13:00. This change aligned Samoa with major trading partners like Australia and New Zealand, eliminating the inconvenience of being a day behind. American Samoa, however, remained on the eastern side of the dateline with UTC-11:00.
The result is remarkable: when it’s Monday in American Samoa, it’s already Tuesday in Samoa. This creates unique situations for families divided between the two territories and requires careful attention when coordinating between them.
Best Times to Call American Samoa
Knowing the right time to call American Samoa from different parts of the world ensures you reach people during reasonable hours:
Calling from the US Mainland: The best time to call from the East Coast is between 1:00 PM and 9:00 PM your time, which corresponds to 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM in American Samoa. West Coast callers should aim for 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Pacific time.
Calling from Europe: European callers face a significant time difference. From London, the optimal window is between 6:00 PM and midnight, catching American Samoa during their morning hours (7:00 AM to 1:00 PM local time).
Calling from Asia-Pacific: For callers from the Philippines, Japan, or Australia, early morning calls work best. Calling between 6:00 AM and 10:00 AM from Manila reaches American Samoa during the previous day’s afternoon and evening hours.
Business Hours: Standard business hours in American Samoa typically run from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Government offices and many businesses close on weekends and US federal holidays.
Travel Tips: Adjusting to American Samoa Time
Travelers heading to American Samoa should prepare for potential jet lag and time adjustment. Most visitors arrive from Hawaii, facing a relatively minor one-hour time difference. However, travelers from the US mainland or international locations experience more significant shifts.
When traveling from the continental United States, you’ll cross multiple time zones. From the East Coast, you’re moving back six hours, while West Coast travelers shift three hours earlier. This westward travel typically causes less jet lag than eastward journeys.
International travelers from Asia or Australia experience dramatic time changes. Coming from the western Pacific means you’ll essentially lose a day due to crossing the International Date Line, even though you’re traveling eastward. Plan for at least 2-3 days to fully adjust to the time difference.
Need to track time precisely? Visit our online timer for countdowns, stopwatches, and interval timing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does American Samoa observe Daylight Saving Time?
No, American Samoa does not observe Daylight Saving Time. The territory remains on Samoa Standard Time (UTC-11:00) year-round, providing consistency for scheduling and time calculations.
What is the time difference between American Samoa and Hawaii?
American Samoa is one hour behind Hawaii. When it’s noon in Honolulu, it’s 11:00 AM in Pago Pago. This consistent one-hour difference makes Hawaii a convenient connection point for travelers.
Why is American Samoa’s time so different from Samoa?
American Samoa and independent Samoa are on opposite sides of the International Date Line. In 2011, Samoa switched sides to align with Australia and New Zealand, creating approximately a 24-hour difference despite the islands being geographical neighbors.
What timezone abbreviation does American Samoa use?
American Samoa uses SST (Samoa Standard Time) or UTC-11. Some references also use the designation “Pacific/Pago Pago” in timezone databases.
Is American Samoa the last place to celebrate New Year?
American Samoa is among the last inhabited places to ring in the New Year, along with nearby Midway Atoll and other UTC-11 locations. Only the uninhabited Baker Island and Howland Island (UTC-12) enter the new year later.
When is the best time to visit American Samoa considering time zones?
The time zone itself shouldn’t dictate your visit—focus on weather and activities instead. However, if you need to maintain communication with contacts in specific regions during your trip, consider when your working hours will overlap with theirs based on the time difference.
