This guide breaks down the time zones in Texas, explains where each applies, and provides helpful insight into Texas’s geography, history, economy, and cultural identity.
Table of Contents
- Texas Overview
- What Time Zone Is Texas In?
- Central Time Explained
- Mountain Time in Texas
- Daylight Saving Time in Texas
Texas Overview
Texas is the second-largest state in both size and population in the United States. Known as "The Lone Star State", it has played a pivotal role in U.S. history and maintains a distinct cultural identity.
Location & Borders
- Region: South Central U.S.
- Borders:
- Louisiana (east)
- New Mexico (west)
- Oklahoma (north)
- Arkansas (northeast)
- Mexico (south)
Major Cities
- Houston – Largest city (2.3M+ residents)
- Austin – State capital (just under 1M residents)
- Dallas
- San Antonio
- Fort Worth
Landscapes
- Deserts, mountains, prairies, forests, swamps, and beaches
- The Big Bend region in west Texas is known for its wildlife and state parks
What Time Zone Is Texas In?
Most of Texas is in the Central Time Zone (CT), but a few counties in the west follow the Mountain Time Zone (MT).
- Central Time Zone (CT): Covers the majority of Texas
- Mountain Time Zone (MT): Used in El Paso County, Hudspeth County, and parts of Culberson County
Central Time Explained
The Central Time Zone is one of the four main U.S. time zones.
| Time Format | Description | UTC Offset |
|---|---|---|
| Central Standard Time (CST) | Used during standard time (fall/winter) | UTC -6 |
| Central Daylight Time (CDT) | Used during daylight savings (spring/summer) | UTC -5 |
Mountain Time in Texas
Some parts of west Texas observe Mountain Time, particularly:
- El Paso County – includes the city of El Paso
- Hudspeth County – small population with Fort Hancock as its largest town
- Culberson County – some areas follow Mountain Time unofficially
| Time Format | Description | UTC Offset |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain Standard Time (MST) | Used during standard time (fall/winter) | UTC -7 |
| Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) | Used during daylight savings (spring/summer) | UTC -6 |
Daylight Saving Time in Texas
Texas fully observes Daylight Saving Time (DST).
- Begins: Second Sunday in March
- Ends: First Sunday in November
- Central Time areas: switch from CST (UTC-6) to CDT (UTC-5)
- Mountain Time areas: switch from MST (UTC-7) to MDT (UTC-6)
Plan Your Trip