Tennessee Time Zone Map: Eastern vs Central Time Zones
See which counties observe EST/EDT and CST/CDT • Live clocks for major cities • City lookup tool
Wondering about the Tennessee time zone map? Tennessee is one of the few states split between two time zones. The majority of the state, including Nashville and Memphis, is in the Central Time Zone. However, East Tennessee, including Knoxville and Chattanooga, observes Eastern Time.
Our interactive map and tools help you quickly determine the time zone for any Tennessee city, with live clocks and DST information.
Tennessee Time Zone Map
DST: Observed (March to November)
- Nashville (state capital)
- Memphis
- Clarksville
- Murfreesboro
- Jackson
- Franklin
DST: Observed (March to November)
- Knoxville
- Chattanooga
- Johnson City
- Kingsport
- Bristol
- Morristown
🔍 Find Time Zone for Any Tennessee City
📋 How to use
See the map and city lists
View live clocks for Nashville and Knoxville
Enter any Tennessee city to see its time zone
Tennessee’s Time Zone Boundary
The time zone dividing line in Tennessee roughly follows the Cumberland Plateau. West of this line (including Nashville, Memphis, and most of Middle Tennessee) is in the Central Time Zone. East of the line (Knoxville, Chattanooga, and the Tri-Cities area) observes Eastern Time.
Key facts:
- Central Time cities: Nashville, Memphis, Clarksville, Murfreesboro, Jackson
- Eastern Time cities: Knoxville, Chattanooga, Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol
- Counties: About 80% of Tennessee’s land area is Central, but the Eastern zone contains about 30% of the population.
- DST: Both zones observe daylight saving time, moving clocks forward in March and back in November.
Why the Split?
The division dates back to the original establishment of time zones in 1883 by railroads. The boundary was placed along the 85th meridian west, which runs through the eastern part of the state. Today, the official boundary is defined by the US Department of Transportation and follows county lines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tennessee in Central or Eastern Time?
Both! Tennessee is split between Central Time (west and middle) and Eastern Time (east). Nashville is Central, Knoxville is Eastern.
What time zone is Nashville, Tennessee?
Nashville is in the Central Time Zone (CST/CDT).
What time zone is Knoxville, Tennessee?
Knoxville is in the Eastern Time Zone (EST/EDT).
What time zone is Memphis, Tennessee?
Memphis is in the Central Time Zone (CST/CDT).
What time zone is Chattanooga, Tennessee?
Chattanooga is in the Eastern Time Zone (EST/EDT).
Does Tennessee observe Daylight Saving Time?
Yes, both Central and Eastern zones in Tennessee observe DST, moving clocks forward in March and back in November.