Learn how GTA Online's time system works and plan your activities effectively.
In GTA Online, time plays an essential role in various aspects of gameplay, from mission availability to business operations and random events. The game world follows a unique time system, synced across all players within a session. This guide will explain how time works in GTA Online and how you can calculate the in-game time based on real-world time.
The time in GTA Online is universal and persistent, meaning that if the in-game time is 22:00 for one player, it will be 22:00 for all players. The game's time progresses even if you leave and rejoin a session later — the game time moves forward continuously, regardless of whether you are in a session or not.
For example, if you leave a session for ten minutes and return, the in-game time will have progressed by five hours. This happens because one hour in GTA Online equates to two minutes in real time, or put another way, 24 hours in GTA Online is 48 real-time minutes.
To put the persistence of in-game time into perspective, technically speaking within the context of GTA Online's universe, over 300 years have passed since the servers came online.
And they still didn't finish building that damn tower.
It's important to note that the time in GTA Online is not based on any real-world timezone. Instead, it uses a universal system that is the same for all players around the world. This means that when it's 12:00 noon in Los Santos, it's 12:00 noon for every player in the game, regardless of their actual local time.
The GTA Online time is calculated based on a standardized time measurement (Unix timestamp) and is not affected by real-world factors like daylight saving time or geographical location. This ensures a consistent and synchronized experience for all players across different time zones.
The formula to calculate the current in-game time is as follows:
T1 = T2 ÷ 120
Where:
Use the tool below to convert between real-world time and GTA Online time. This can be helpful for planning your in-game activities or coordinating with other players across different time zones.
[gta_time_converter]
Understanding the time system in GTA Online is crucial because many in-game activities and events are time-dependent. Here are some examples:
By keeping an eye on the Los Santos time and using the converter tool, you can plan your activities more effectively and potentially take advantage of time-specific opportunities.
Matt's obsession with the Grand Theft Auto series began in 2001 when he rented GTA III from his local video store. He has played through every GTA release since.
Anticipating the launch craziness around GTA 5 in 2012, Matt created GTA5Cheats.com (now GTA BOOM) to report the latest news and rumors.
As owner and developer, Matt continues improving GTA BOOM daily to build the ultimate resource for GTA fans. When he's not editing content or enhancing the site's functionality, you'll find Matt updating the vast game guide library together with fellow staff member Hassan Sajid.
Driven by his lifelong GTA fandom, Matt created the platform he wished existed — one central hub providing everything GTA enthusiasts could want or need.
