Change your timezone in Outlook settings

You can change your timezone in Outlook through the calendar settings. The exact steps depend on whether you use Outlook on the web, Outlook desktop, or Outlook on your phone — each has its own settings location. Once you change it, your calendar events and meeting times will shift to match your new timezone.

Your timezone setting affects how Outlook displays times for meetings and events. If you move to a different timezone or notice your calendar is showing times that don't match your location, changing this setting will fix it. The change takes effect immediately across all your devices that sync to your account.

Key Takeaways

  • In Outlook on the web, go to Settings > Calendar > Regional settings and select your timezone from the dropdown menu.
  • In Outlook desktop on Windows, open File > Options > Calendar and change the timezone under "Calendar options".
  • On Mac, open Outlook > Preferences > Calendar and select your timezone from the list.
  • On your phone, the timezone usually pulls from your device settings, but you can check Outlook's calendar settings to confirm.
  • After you change your timezone, existing events keep their original meeting times — only the display changes to your new timezone.

Change timezone in Outlook on the web

Open Outlook in your web browser and select the gear icon in the top right corner. Click "View all Outlook settings" or just "Settings" depending on your version. In the left sidebar, find and click "Calendar".

Under the Calendar section, look for "Regional settings" or "Time zone". You'll see a dropdown menu with timezone options. Click the dropdown, search for or scroll to your timezone, and select it. The change saves automatically — you don't need to click a separate save button.

If you don't see a timezone option in Calendar settings, check under "General" settings instead. Some versions of Outlook on the web place this setting in a different location, but it's always in the Settings area.

Change timezone in Outlook desktop on Windows

Open Outlook and click "File" in the top left corner. Select "Options" from the menu. In the Outlook Options window, click "Calendar" in the left sidebar.

Look for the section labeled "Calendar options" or "Time zones". You should see a dropdown or button that says "Time Zone". Click it and select your timezone from the list. Some versions show two timezone fields — one for your current timezone and one for a second timezone you want to display. Make sure you're changing the first one, which is your primary timezone.

Click "OK" at the bottom of the window to save your changes. Outlook will close the Options window and apply your new timezone to the calendar immediately.

Change timezone in Outlook on Mac

Open Outlook and click "Outlook" in the top menu bar. Select "Preferences" from the dropdown. In the Preferences window, find and click "Calendar".

You'll see a section for timezone settings. Click the dropdown next to "Time zone" and select your timezone from the list. The list is alphabetical and organized by region, so search for your city or region name. Once you select it, close the Preferences window — your change saves automatically.

Change timezone on Outlook mobile apps

On iPhone or Android, Outlook usually pulls your timezone from your device's system settings rather than from Outlook itself. To change it, go to your phone's Settings app, find "Date & Time" or "Time", and make sure your timezone is set correctly there.

If you want to check Outlook's timezone setting on mobile, open the Outlook app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines on Android, or your profile picture on iPhone). Go to Settings > Calendar and look for a timezone option. Not all mobile versions show this setting — if you don't see it, your phone's system timezone is what Outlook is using.

What happens to your existing events when you change timezone

When you change your timezone in Outlook, the actual meeting times don't move — only how they display on your calendar changes. If you had a meeting scheduled for 2 p.m. Eastern time and you switch to Pacific time, that meeting will now show as 11 a.m. on your calendar, but the meeting itself is still at the same moment in time.

This matters if you're sharing a calendar with someone in a different timezone. They'll see the meeting at their local time, and you'll see it at yours. Both of you are looking at the same meeting — just displayed differently. If you need to double-check a meeting time with someone in another timezone, ask them what time they see, and you can confirm you're both looking at the same event.

Troubleshoot if your timezone won't change or keeps reverting

If you change your timezone but it keeps switching back, check whether your device's system timezone is overriding Outlook's setting. On Windows, go to Settings > Time & Language > Date & Time and make sure your timezone there matches what you set in Outlook. On Mac, open System Preferences > Date & Time and check the same thing.

If you use Outlook on multiple devices, make sure you're changing the timezone on each device separately. Changing it in Outlook on the web won't automatically change it in your desktop version — you need to go through the steps on each one. If you're still having trouble after checking both places, sign out of Outlook completely, wait a few minutes, and sign back in. Sometimes this forces the settings to sync properly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my timezone affect meetings I've already scheduled?

No. Your existing meetings stay at the same actual time — only the display changes. If you scheduled a 2 p.m. meeting and switch timezones, it will show as a different time on your calendar, but anyone invited to that meeting will still see the correct time in their timezone. The meeting itself doesn't move.

Can I display two timezones at once in Outlook?

Yes, in Outlook desktop you can set a second timezone to display alongside your primary one. In Windows, go to File > Options > Calendar > Time Zone and look for an option to add a second timezone. On Mac, check Calendar preferences for the same option. This is useful if you work with people in another timezone regularly.

Why does my Outlook timezone not match my computer's timezone?

Outlook can have a different timezone setting than your device. Check your computer's system timezone in Windows Settings or Mac System Preferences, then compare it to what you set in Outlook. If they don't match, update one or both so they're consistent. This prevents confusion about what time meetings are actually happening.

Do I need to change my timezone if I'm just traveling temporarily?

You don't have to, but you might want to. If you're traveling for a few days, leaving your timezone as your home location can help you remember what time it is back home. If you're relocating permanently, change it so your calendar always shows the correct local time for your new location.

What if I don't see a timezone option in my Outlook settings?

Check a different settings location — timezone settings move around depending on your Outlook version. In Outlook on the web, try General settings instead of Calendar settings. In desktop versions, make sure you're in File > Options, not just the regular settings. If you still can't find it, your version might not have a user-facing timezone setting, and your device's system timezone is what Outlook is using.