EST to CST Converter
Convert Eastern Time (EST/EDT) to Central Time (CST/CDT) for any date — with live clocks and daylight saving handled automatically.
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Central Time is 1 hours behind Eastern Time.
All 24 hours on this date
| ET | CT |
|---|
How to convert EST to CST
- See the current time in both zones at the top — it updates by itself.
- Pick a date and type a time in Eastern Time.
- Read the Central Time result, or open the 24-hour table for that date.
EST to CST time difference
Central Time is 1 hour behind Eastern Time: 9:00 AM EST = 8:00 AM CST. In winter the zones use standard time — EST (UTC−5) and CST (UTC−6); from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November they use daylight time — EDT (UTC−4) and CDT (UTC−5). Because both switch on the same dates at 2:00 AM local time, the difference stays 1 hour all year, except briefly on the nights the clocks change.
| Eastern Time (EST/EDT) | Central Time (CST/CDT) |
|---|---|
| 12:00 AM ET | 11:00 PM previous day CT |
| 6:00 AM ET | 5:00 AM CT |
| 7:00 AM ET | 6:00 AM CT |
| 8:00 AM ET | 7:00 AM CT |
| 9:00 AM ET | 8:00 AM CT |
| 10:00 AM ET | 9:00 AM CT |
| 11:00 AM ET | 10:00 AM CT |
| 12:00 PM ET | 11:00 AM CT |
| 1:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM CT |
| 2:00 PM ET | 1:00 PM CT |
| 3:00 PM ET | 2:00 PM CT |
| 5:00 PM ET | 4:00 PM CT |
| 6:00 PM ET | 5:00 PM CT |
| 8:00 PM ET | 7:00 PM CT |
| 9:00 PM ET | 8:00 PM CT |
| 11:00 PM ET | 10:00 PM CT |
The table applies to any normal day. The converter above uses your browser's time zone database (America/New_York and America/Chicago), so it's exact for every date, including the changeover nights.
Frequently asked questions
What is the time difference between EST and CST?
Central Time is 1 hour behind Eastern Time — for example, 9:00 AM EST = 8:00 AM CST. The difference is the same in summer (EDT to CDT).
Is it EST or EDT right now?
EST (UTC−5) is used from the first Sunday in November to the second Sunday in March; the rest of the year Eastern Time is EDT (UTC−4). Many people say “EST” all year — the live clock above shows the abbreviation in effect today.
Which cities use Eastern Time and Central Time?
Eastern Time: New York, Washington, D.C., Boston, Atlanta, Miami, Detroit and Toronto (Canada). Central Time: Chicago, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, New Orleans, Minneapolis and Winnipeg (Canada).
Does this converter handle daylight saving time?
Yes. Times are calculated with the IANA time zone database built into your browser (Intl API) for America/New_York and America/Chicago, so daylight saving changes are applied automatically for any date you pick.
Is CST the same as Mexico City time?
Only in winter. Since 2022 most of Mexico no longer changes to daylight saving time, while Chicago and the rest of US Central Time do (CDT, UTC−5). In summer, Mexico City is one hour behind Chicago.