How many hours is MST behind SAST?
As abbreviations, SAST is always 9 hours ahead of MST: MST is UTC−7 and SAST is UTC+2. To convert, add 9 hours.
Check which label you actually need: MST (Mountain Time is on MDT today). A time written with an abbreviation that is not in use is usually meant as the local time, so convert between the places instead: right now SAST is 8 hours ahead of MST.
When the MST to SAST time difference changes
For most of the year SAST is 8 hours ahead of MST. From 1 November to 31 December 2026, SAST is 9 hours ahead of MST instead, because the two places change their clocks on different dates. Meetings booked by the usual gap land an hour off in those weeks.
| Dates | SAST vs MST | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 8 March 2026 to 31 October 2026 | 8 hours ahead | 238 days |
| 1 November 2026 to 31 December 2026 | 9 hours ahead | 61 days |
| 1 January 2027 to 13 March 2027 | 9 hours ahead | 72 days |
| 14 March 2027 to 6 November 2027 | 8 hours ahead | 238 days |
| 7 November 2027 to 31 December 2027 | 9 hours ahead | 55 days |
When MST and SAST are both at work
- When SAST is 8 hours ahead of MST: no shared 09:00 to 17:00 hours; try 09:00 in MST (17:00 in SAST).
- When SAST is 9 hours ahead of MST: no shared 09:00 to 17:00 hours; try 08:00 in MST (17:00 in SAST).