Time Zone Abbreviation Lookup
Look up what common timezone abbreviations like EST, CET, JST actually mean.
What is TZ Abbrev?
A reference dictionary of timezone abbreviations with their UTC offsets and example locations — clarifying ambiguous ones like IST (India vs Ireland).
How it works
A bundled table of abbreviations maps each to an offset and representative IANA zones; the offset is resolved for a fixed reference date.
- Enter your input. Type or paste your input into the field above — the tool responds instantly.
- Review the result. Output updates live as you type. Everything runs entirely in your browser.
- Copy or download. Use the Copy button to grab the result, or Download to save it as a file.
Examples
Disambiguating IST
IST means Indian Standard Time (UTC+5:30) or Irish Standard Time (UTC+1). The lookup lists every zone using an abbreviation along with its offset and DST status.
Common mistakes
Abbreviations are ambiguous
CST alone can mean US Central, China Standard, or Cuba Standard. Always confirm the offset and region rather than assuming one meaning.
Frequently asked questions
Why does one abbreviation match several zones?
Abbreviations aren't standardized — multiple regions can legally use the same letters. The tool lists every match so you can pick the right one.
Does it show the current UTC offset?
Yes, each result shows its standard and daylight-saving offsets plus which one is currently in effect.
Should I use abbreviations in code?
Prefer IANA zone names like America/New_York in software; abbreviations are only safe for human-facing display where the region is known.