Oceania · Micronesia · Dependency
Current time in Northern Mariana Islands
A single time zone at UTC+10:00.
Sunday, May 31, 2026
About Northern Mariana Islands's time
A single time zone.
The Northern Mariana Islands use a single timezone, Chamorro Standard Time (UTC+10), which they share with neighboring Guam. No daylight saving time is observed here.
Major cities
Cities of Northern Mariana Islands.
History
How Northern Mariana Islands keeps time.
The Northern Mariana Islands' timezone history is closely tied to its complex colonial past. The islands were part of the Spanish East Indies from the 16th century until 1899, when Spain sold them to Germany. After World War I, Japan administered the islands under a League of Nations mandate, and they followed Tokyo time (UTC+9).
Following World War II, the islands came under U.S. administration as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. In 1978, the Northern Mariana Islands entered into a covenant with the United States to become a U.S. commonwealth. The islands adopted Chamorro Standard Time (UTC+10), aligning with Guam, which had already been using this offset since the Standard Time Act of 1900 when Guam was ceded to the U.S. after the Spanish-American War.
The Chamorro Standard Time zone was formally established to reflect the islands' geographic position in the western Pacific and to maintain consistency with Guam, with which the Northern Mariana Islands share deep cultural and economic ties.
Did you know?
Things about Northern Mariana Islands's time.
The Northern Mariana Islands share Chamorro Standard Time (ChST, UTC+10) with Guam, despite being about 120 miles north. This alignment makes practical sense given the close relationship between the two territories — many residents travel between them regularly for work, family, and commerce.
The name "Chamorro" honors the indigenous Chamorro people who have inhabited these islands for thousands of years. It's one of the few timezone names in the world that directly references an indigenous culture rather than a geographic location.
Being at UTC+10, the islands are among the first places on Earth to welcome each new day, roughly 14-15 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Time. This can make real-time communication with the U.S. mainland challenging, as the islands are a full day ahead during most waking hours in America.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Northern Mariana Islands's time zone, daylight saving rules, and how to handle it in software. Can't find what you need? Email [email protected].
- What timezone is the Northern Mariana Islands in?
- The Northern Mariana Islands observe Chamorro Standard Time (ChST), which is UTC+10:00 year-round with no daylight saving adjustments.
- Do the Northern Mariana Islands observe daylight saving time?
- No, the Northern Mariana Islands do not observe daylight saving time. The clocks stay on Chamorro Standard Time (UTC+10) throughout the year.
- Is the Northern Mariana Islands in the same timezone as Guam?
- Yes, both the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam use Chamorro Standard Time (UTC+10). This shared timezone reflects their close geographic proximity and cultural ties.
- How many hours ahead is the Northern Mariana Islands from New York?
- The Northern Mariana Islands are 15 hours ahead of New York during Eastern Standard Time and 14 hours ahead during Eastern Daylight Time. When it's noon in New York, it's already 3:00 AM (or 2:00 AM during DST) the next day in Saipan.
- What is the time difference between the Northern Mariana Islands and Japan?
- The Northern Mariana Islands (UTC+10) are one hour ahead of Japan (UTC+9). When it's 10:00 AM in Tokyo, it's 11:00 AM in Saipan.
- Why is it called Chamorro Standard Time?
- The timezone is named after the Chamorro people, the indigenous inhabitants of the Mariana Islands. It's a recognition of their deep historical and cultural connection to these islands, which they have called home for over 3,500 years.
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