GMT-4 means a fixed time offset four hours behind Greenwich Mean Time. If it is 12:00 noon at GMT, it is 8:00 AM at GMT-4. But a fixed offset is not the same as a city time zone: cities may change their UTC offsets when daylight saving time starts or ends.
What time is GMT-4 now?
For a live clock, visit the world clock and select the city or time zone you need. A printed time example cannot tell you the current time because the clock changes continuously. Check both the hour and date, especially for late-night calls.
How to convert GMT to GMT-4
Subtract four hours from the GMT time. At 18:30 GMT, the corresponding time at GMT-4 is 14:30. At 02:00 GMT, the corresponding time is 22:00 on the previous day. This date rollover is one of the most common sources of scheduling mistakes.
GMT-4 versus GMT-3 and GMT-5
These fixed offsets are one hour apart. At 12:00 GMT, GMT-3 is 9:00 AM, GMT-4 is 8:00 AM, and GMT-5 is 7:00 AM. When working across countries, these comparisons can help you quickly check a meeting invitation.
Is GMT-4 the same as New York time?
Only during part of the year. New York uses Eastern Daylight Time (EDT, UTC-4) during daylight saving time and Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC-5) during standard time. If your appointment is in New York, use the America/New_York time zone rather than a permanent GMT-4 offset. This lets scheduling software apply the appropriate date-specific rule.
GMT-4 to Saudi Arabia time
Saudi Arabia uses UTC+3 throughout the year. That makes Saudi Arabia seven hours ahead of GMT-4. A 9:00 AM GMT-4 call is at 4:00 PM in Riyadh or Jeddah. An 8:00 PM GMT-4 meeting occurs at 3:00 AM the following day in Saudi Arabia.
GMT-4 to Egypt time
Egypt operates at UTC+2 during standard time and UTC+3 during its daylight saving period. Accordingly, Egypt is six or seven hours ahead of GMT-4, depending on the meeting date. Always check the applicable date before sending an invitation.
Conversion examples
- 06:00 GMT becomes 02:00 GMT-4.
- 12:00 GMT becomes 08:00 GMT-4.
- 16:45 GMT becomes 12:45 GMT-4.
- 23:00 GMT becomes 19:00 GMT-4.
- 01:30 GMT becomes 21:30 GMT-4 on the previous day.
How to avoid daylight saving mistakes
Start with a real location and a full calendar date. Check whether that location observes daylight saving time. Write the time zone abbreviation and its UTC offset in your invitation when possible. Then verify the converted date as well as the clock time. For recurring meetings, use a named time zone because the correct offset can change partway through the series.
Using a world clock for international teams
A world clock is especially useful for teams in North America, the Middle East and Europe. Rather than mentally adding hours, open the world clock, compare locations, and confirm the date. You can also use a 12-hour and 24-hour time converter to avoid confusing 8 AM with 8 PM.
Frequently asked questions
Does GMT-4 change throughout the year?
No. GMT-4 is a fixed offset. A city using it may change to a different offset seasonally.
How far behind Saudi Arabia is GMT-4?
Seven hours. Saudi Arabia remains at UTC+3 year-round.
What if subtracting four hours crosses midnight?
Move the calendar date back by one day.
Should I use GMT-4 for a future New York meeting?
Prefer the New York time zone, which automatically accounts for daylight saving transitions.