CET to EST
CET and EST explained
Central European Time uses CET (UTC+1) as standard time and CEST (UTC+2) during daylight saving time, from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October; the clocks change at 01:00 UTC, the same moment everywhere in the UK and the EU. It covers most of mainland Europe, including Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Rome, Amsterdam, Brussels, Vienna and Stockholm. In summer central Europe is on CEST (Central European Summer Time), so "CET" strictly means the winter time.
Eastern Time uses EST (UTC−5) as standard time and EDT (UTC−4) during daylight saving time, from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November; the clocks change at 2am local time. It covers the eastern US and Canada, including New York, Washington DC, Miami, Atlanta and Toronto. People often say "EST" all year, but EST is strictly the winter name: during daylight saving time the eastern US is on EDT.
The difference across the year
ET compared with CET:
- 6 hours behind (CEST and EDT, or CET and EST) for most of the year
- 5 hours behind (CET and EDT) from the second Sunday in March (US clocks go forward) to the last Sunday in March (UK and EU clocks go forward) and from the last Sunday in October (UK and EU clocks go back) to the first Sunday in November (US clocks go back)
The two change their clocks on different dates, so the gap changes during the year. The converter above uses the rules for the date you pick.
Common times
| CET | ET 6 hours behind | ET 5 hours behind |
|---|---|---|
| 00:00 12am | 18:00 6pm, previous day | 19:00 7pm, previous day |
| 06:00 6am | 00:00 12am | 01:00 1am |
| 08:00 8am | 02:00 2am | 03:00 3am |
| 09:00 9am | 03:00 3am | 04:00 4am |
| 12:00 12pm | 06:00 6am | 07:00 7am |
| 15:00 3pm | 09:00 9am | 10:00 10am |
| 17:00 5pm | 11:00 11am | 12:00 12pm |
| 18:00 6pm | 12:00 12pm | 13:00 1pm |
| 21:00 9pm | 15:00 3pm | 16:00 4pm |
How to use the converter
Pick a time and date under From; the time in ET appears under To, with your own local time underneath. The date matters around clock changes, so set it for the day you mean. ⇄ swaps the two zones, Now goes back to the current time, and either zone can be changed to any city. The planner below lines up the whole day in both places and in yours.
Handy for
- Calls between mainland Europe and New York
- Transatlantic webinars and product launches
- Checking US market hours from Paris, Berlin or Madrid
Questions
What is the time difference between CET and EST?
ET is 6 hours behind CET for most of the year, and 5 hours behind from the second Sunday in March (US clocks go forward) to the last Sunday in March (UK and EU clocks go forward) and from the last Sunday in October (UK and EU clocks go back) to the first Sunday in November (US clocks go back).
Do CET and ET change for daylight saving?
Central European Time switches from CET (UTC+1) to CEST (UTC+2) on the last Sunday in March and back on the last Sunday in October. Eastern Time switches from EST (UTC−5) to EDT (UTC−4) on the second Sunday in March and back on the first Sunday in November.
How do I convert CET to EST?
Subtract 6 hours for most of the year; subtract 5 hours when it is CET and EDT. Or use the converter above: it applies the rules for the exact date you pick.
More time zone pages
Or open the full Time Zones meeting planner and world clock.