Palau
Ngerulmud
Current time
Monday, June 22, 2026
- Capital
- Ngerulmud
- Time zone
- Pacific/Palau
- UTC offset
- UTC+9
Palau operates on Palau Time (PWT), which is UTC+09:00 year-round. This Pacific island nation does not observe daylight saving time, ensuring consistent timekeeping. Its time zone aligns with Japan and South Korea but is 1 hour ahead of the Philippines and 17 hours ahead of New York (EST). The capital, Ngerulmud, follows the same time as the rest of Palau, simplifying domestic scheduling.
Time Zone and Business Hours
Palau's UTC+09:00 offset means businesses typically operate from 8 AM to 5 PM local time. This overlaps with morning hours in Australia (AEST) and late evenings in the US West Coast (PST), requiring advance planning for international calls. Government offices in Ngerulmud close for national holidays like Independence Day (October 1), but these do not affect time zone settings.
The absence of daylight saving time eliminates seasonal clock changes, reducing confusion for travelers. Palau's small size ensures uniform timekeeping across all islands, including Koror, the commercial hub. When scheduling with US or European partners, note the 14–17 hour time difference, making early-morning or late-evening meetings practical.
FAQ
- Does Palau observe daylight saving time?
- No, Palau maintains UTC+09:00 year-round without daylight saving adjustments.
- What time zone is Palau in compared to New York?
- Palau is 13 hours ahead of New York (EST) and 14 hours ahead during US daylight saving time (EDT).
- Are there multiple time zones within Palau?
- No, all islands, including Ngerulmud and Koror, use the same time zone (UTC+09:00).