Managing Multiple Time Zones in Google Calendar

Overview

Working across different regions can make scheduling a challenge. Whether you are collaborating with colleagues at a different Maricopa campus or coordinating with partners in another state, keeping track of time differences is essential. Google Calendar’s Secondary Time Zone feature allows you to view two time zones side-by-side, ensuring you never miss a meeting or book at an inconvenient hour.

How To Add A Second Time Zone to Your Calendar 

🌍 How to Add a Secondary Time Zone

  1. Open Google Calendar.

  2. Click the Settings (gear icon) at the top right and select Settings.

  3. On the left-hand sidebar, under the General tab, click Time zone.

  4. Check the box labeled Display secondary time zone.

  5. In the Secondary time zone dropdown, select the time zone you want to add (e.g., Eastern Time, Mountain Time, etc.).

  6. Label your zones: In the "Label" boxes, give each zone a name (e.g., "Local" and "Partner Team") so they are easy to identify on your calendar grid.

🕒 Using the World Clock

If you work with more than two regions, you can also enable the World Clock to see multiple times at a glance:

  1. In the same General settings menu, scroll down to World clock.

  2. Check Show world clock.

  3. Click Add time zone to include as many locations as you need. These will now appear in the sidebar on the left side of your calendar view.

💡 Why This is a "Must-Have"

  • Eliminate Math Errors: Stop trying to calculate "-2 hours" or "+3 hours" in your head during a busy workday.

  • Visual Clarity: When you look at your calendar, you will see two columns of time on the left side, making it instantly clear how an 11:00 AM meeting in your zone aligns with your colleague's schedule.

  • Seamless Travel: If you travel between campuses or regions, your "Primary" zone can be updated, while your "Secondary" zone stays fixed to your home office time.

 

Pro-Tip: When you create a meeting invite, you can also click on the Time zone link within the event details to verify exactly what time the meeting will occur for your guests in their respective locations.

 

Additional Resources

 

Print Article