YuzoolTime Zones

EST to CST

Convert Eastern Time to Central Time: pick a time and date to see it in CT and in your own time zone. Daylight saving is handled for the exact date.

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    EST and CST 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 Time uses CST (UTC−6) as standard time and CDT (UTC−5) 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 central US and parts of Canada, including Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Minneapolis and Winnipeg. People often say "CST" all year; during daylight saving time the central US is on CDT. Mexico City, also UTC−6, stopped changing its clocks in 2022.

    The difference across the year

    CT is 1 hour behind ET all year, because both change their clocks on the same dates.

    Common times

    ETCT
    00:00 12am23:00 11pm, previous day
    06:00 6am05:00 5am
    08:00 8am07:00 7am
    09:00 9am08:00 8am
    12:00 12pm11:00 11am
    15:00 3pm14:00 2pm
    17:00 5pm16:00 4pm
    18:00 6pm17:00 5pm
    21:00 9pm20:00 8pm

    How to use the converter

    Pick a time and date under From; the time in CT 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

    Questions

    What is the time difference between EST and CST?

    CT is 1 hour behind ET all year, because both change their clocks on the same dates.

    Do ET and CT 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 Time switches from CST (UTC−6) to CDT (UTC−5) on the second Sunday in March and back on the first Sunday in November.

    How do I convert EST to CST?

    Subtract 1 hour. 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.