EST to CET
EST and CET explained
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.
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.
The difference across the year
CET compared with ET:
- 6 hours ahead (EDT and CEST, or EST and CET) for most of the year
- 5 hours ahead (EDT and CET) 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
| ET | CET 6 hours ahead | CET 5 hours ahead |
|---|---|---|
| 00:00 12am | 06:00 6am | 05:00 5am |
| 06:00 6am | 12:00 12pm | 11:00 11am |
| 08:00 8am | 14:00 2pm | 13:00 1pm |
| 09:00 9am | 15:00 3pm | 14:00 2pm |
| 12:00 12pm | 18:00 6pm | 17:00 5pm |
| 15:00 3pm | 21:00 9pm | 20:00 8pm |
| 17:00 5pm | 23:00 11pm | 22:00 10pm |
| 18:00 6pm | 00:00 12am, next day | 23:00 11pm |
| 21:00 9pm | 03:00 3am, next day | 02:00 2am, next day |
How to use the converter
Pick a time and date under From; the time in CET 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
- Meetings with offices in Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam or Madrid
- Finding the morning window before Europe finishes work
- Converting European event times for US viewers
Questions
What is the time difference between EST and CET?
CET is 6 hours ahead of ET for most of the year, and 5 hours ahead 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 ET and CET change for daylight saving?
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. 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.
How do I convert EST to CET?
Add 6 hours for most of the year; add 5 hours when it is EDT and CET. 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.