How to display secondary time zones in Google Calendar

Thanks to the Internet, staying in touch with friends, family and colleagues near and far has never been easier. However, communicating with someone in a different time zone can be a bit difficult. Do you ever count on your fingers when to schedule a meeting or phone call?

Google Calendar provides the perfect solution to help you easily communicate with colleagues, friends or loved ones far away. Here's how you can display secondary time zones in your calendar.

How to add additional time zones to Google Calendar

You can do more to plan your week in Google Calendar, then use it to set up your appointments and meetings. If you often schedule meetings with someone in another time zone, displaying that time zone in your calendar will ensure you plan things accordingly.

How to display secondary time zones in Google Calendar Picture 1

Here's how you can add a secondary time zone to your Google Calendar:

1. Click the gear icon in the upper right corner of the screen.
2. Select Settings .
3. Go to Language and region in the General tab .
4. Select Display a secondary time zone in Time zone .
5. The gray fly menu will appear. Click on it and select the area you want.
6. Add labels to help you remember which is which. Google will automatically save your changes.

How to display secondary time zones in Google Calendar Picture 2

After you add a secondary time zone to your calendar, you'll see two time zones displayed on the left when you create an event. Your home time zone will remain the default for all events on your calendar. If you move back and forth, you can quickly convert master to slave by clicking the two arrows next to them in Settings.

How to schedule events in another time zone using Google Calendar

Eventually, you will get more used to the time zone difference when communicating with someone far away. However, if you need to schedule an appointment with someone outside your primary and secondary time zones, Google Calendar offers another solution to prevent any scheduling mishaps.

How to display secondary time zones in Google Calendar Picture 3

To schedule a meeting in a different time zone:

1. Create a new event.
2. In the events menu, click Timezone below the date. Click it again when Google gives you more options.
3. Select the desired option from the drop-down menu and click OK.
4. Proceed to schedule the event and click Save .

After you save an event, it will show up in your calendar at the correct time in your time zone. For example, if you're in New York and you schedule a meeting with a colleague in LA at 12pm PST, that meeting will show up in your calendar at 3pm EST.

If you schedule in Calendar view, you'll see the event move around as you adjust the time. The visualization is helpful if it's a time zone where you don't work much. Don't forget to include a detailed meeting agenda in your Google Calendar events so others know what you'll discuss during the meeting.

Micah Soto

Update 27 October 2023