Quick answer
A very practical time to call Taiwan from California is about 6:00 PM–9:00 PM California time. During California daylight saving time, that is about 9:00 AM–12:00 PM in Taiwan the next day.
| California | Taiwan |
|---|---|
| 6:00 PM | 9:00 AM next day |
| 7:00 PM | 10:00 AM next day |
| 8:00 PM | 11:00 AM next day |
| 9:00 PM | 12:00 PM next day |
The table above applies when California is on Pacific Daylight Time (PDT, UTC−7). Taiwan stays on UTC+8 year-round.
Why the time difference changes
Taiwan does not currently change its clocks for daylight saving time. California does. As a result, the California–Taiwan time difference changes during the year.
- When California is on PDT (UTC−7): Taiwan is 15 hours ahead.
- When California is on PST (UTC−8): Taiwan is 16 hours ahead.
What about California standard time?
When California returns to Pacific Standard Time, the same Taiwan morning arrives one hour earlier on the California clock.
| California (PST) | Taiwan |
|---|---|
| 5:00 PM | 9:00 AM next day |
| 6:00 PM | 10:00 AM next day |
| 7:00 PM | 11:00 AM next day |
| 8:00 PM | 12:00 PM next day |
Best calling window for family and friends
If the person in Taiwan is comfortable receiving calls during the morning, California evening is usually the easiest choice. A simple rule of thumb is:
California evening → Taiwan next morning.
This avoids requiring either person to wake up very early or stay up very late.
Best calling window for business
For a business call, aim for Taiwan's normal morning working hours. Depending on the season in California, that usually means roughly 5:00 PM–9:00 PM California time.
If you need a precise answer for a particular date, use our calculator because daylight-saving rules can affect the offset.
Try the Best Time to Call Calculator
Frequently asked questions
Is Taiwan ahead of California?
Yes. Taiwan is ahead of California. The difference is generally 15 hours when California is on daylight time and 16 hours when California is on standard time.
Does Taiwan use daylight saving time?
No. Taiwan currently stays on UTC+8 throughout the year and does not change its clocks seasonally.
If it is 7:00 PM in California, what time is it in Taiwan?
When California is on PDT, 7:00 PM in California is 10:00 AM the next day in Taiwan. When California is on PST, it is 11:00 AM the next day.
What is the easiest rule to remember?
During much of the year, add 15 hours to California time to estimate Taiwan time. During California standard time, add 16 hours. For important calls, confirm with the calculator using the actual date.