The Definition of GMT
GMT stands for Greenwich Mean Time. It is a time zone that is based on the solar time at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London, which is located on the Prime Meridian (0° longitude).
Key Facts About GMT:
- Historical Standard: GMT was originally used as the world's time standard, from which all other time zones were referenced.
- Location: It is the local time in the United Kingdom during the winter months (from late October to late March).
- GMT vs. UTC: In modern usage, GMT is often used interchangeably with Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). While practically the same for most purposes, UTC is a more precise atomic time standard, whereas GMT is based on the Earth's rotation.
Conclusion
GMT stands for Greenwich Mean Time and serves as the baseline time zone (UTC+0). While it is technically a time zone, it is often used as a synonym for UTC, the modern world's time standard. Explore different time zones on our Time Zone Map.