Local Time vs Standard Time – Difference and Comparison

What is Local Time?

 This is time in line with the meridian across a specific region, as a city, different from the time zone within the location of the place; the time in a specific place in comparison to that of another place to the east or west

It’s the time observed in a specific area. Each local time is referred to as a time zone.

Time is determined in line with regular natural phenomena, such as the occurrence of light and dark episodes occasioned by the rotation of the planet. The total duration taken by these two successive occurrences doesn’t change, but the lengths of the light and dark periods differ

 For some reason, some countries use daylight to maximize time. That is, they set their clocks to have more natural light while they continue with their daytime activities, and then set it back during winter. 

Other countries do not do this since they don’t agree on when the clocks should be moved and change the rules year in and year out.

Local time is best named by the location, or by determining the difference between local and universal time.

What is Standard Time?

It is the time of a territory that is determined by law or common usage as agreed.

Mostly, the standard time is determined by longitude which normally goes through the middle of the region of a certain place and all the clocks of the region regulate their timing guided by this longitude or meridian.

 These kinds of standards became so much more important with the upcoming rapid railway means of transport and the frequent confusion that would arise from programs that relied on guidelines observed in different localities

The 24 standard meridians of longitude are the ones used in today’s world system

 The middle of 24 Standard Time Zones is the meridians, although in reality the regions partitioned or changed in line with the convenience of the people who live there.

 The whole world coordinated time by an integrated number of hours; minutes and seconds are the same.

 In some territories, however, the legal time observed is not that of one of the 24 Standard Time regions, since half-hour or quarter-hour differences come with effects there.

Difference Between Local Time and Standard Time

  1. Local time is determined by the sun’s movement. Standard time is the established time of several areas in a certain region that’s within the same standard meridian
  2. Local time changes with a longitudinal point while standard time changes in time zones of territories
  3. In local time, regions within the same longitudinal have the same local time. In standard time, regions with the same longitude may differ from standard time
  4. In local time, time is calculated in line with the longitude of the place while standard time is calculated in line with the time zone of the particular region
  5. Local time is used to regulate time-bound events. Standard time is used to avoid confusion that might happen when regions differ in time zones.

Comparison Between Local Time and Standard Time

Parameters of ComparisonLocal TimeStandard Time
MeaningDetermined in line with the sun’s movement.This is a fixed time of several places in a given territory within the same standard meridian.
VariationsChanges with the location of longitudeChanges according to the time zones of regions.
Longitudinal DifferencesRegions within the same longitude have the same local timeRegions within the same longitude may differ in standard time.
Time ComputationTime is computed about the longitude of a place.Time is computed about the time zone of a particular region.
UseUsed to regulate time-bound eventsUsed to avoid confusion that might happen when regions differ in time zones.