PST to CST Converter
Convert Pacific Time (PST/PDT) to Central Time (CST/CDT) for any date — with live clocks and daylight saving handled automatically.
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Central Time is 2 hours ahead of Pacific Time.
All 24 hours on this date
| PT | CT |
|---|
How to convert PST to CST
- See the current time in both zones at the top — it updates by itself.
- Pick a date and type a time in Pacific Time.
- Read the Central Time result, or open the 24-hour table for that date.
PST to CST time difference
Central Time is 2 hours ahead of Pacific Time: 9:00 AM PST = 11:00 AM CST. In winter the zones use standard time — PST (UTC−8) and CST (UTC−6); from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November they use daylight time — PDT (UTC−7) and CDT (UTC−5). Because both switch on the same dates at 2:00 AM local time, the difference stays 2 hours all year, except briefly on the nights the clocks change.
| Pacific Time (PST/PDT) | Central Time (CST/CDT) |
|---|---|
| 12:00 AM PT | 2:00 AM CT |
| 6:00 AM PT | 8:00 AM CT |
| 7:00 AM PT | 9:00 AM CT |
| 8:00 AM PT | 10:00 AM CT |
| 9:00 AM PT | 11:00 AM CT |
| 10:00 AM PT | 12:00 PM CT |
| 11:00 AM PT | 1:00 PM CT |
| 12:00 PM PT | 2:00 PM CT |
| 1:00 PM PT | 3:00 PM CT |
| 2:00 PM PT | 4:00 PM CT |
| 3:00 PM PT | 5:00 PM CT |
| 5:00 PM PT | 7:00 PM CT |
| 6:00 PM PT | 8:00 PM CT |
| 8:00 PM PT | 10:00 PM CT |
| 9:00 PM PT | 11:00 PM CT |
| 11:00 PM PT | 1:00 AM next day CT |
The table applies to any normal day. The converter above uses your browser's time zone database (America/Los_Angeles and America/Chicago), so it's exact for every date, including the changeover nights.
Frequently asked questions
What is the time difference between PST and CST?
Central Time is 2 hours ahead of Pacific Time — for example, 9:00 AM PST = 11:00 AM CST. The difference is the same in summer (PDT to CDT).
Is it PST or PDT right now?
PST (UTC−8) is used from the first Sunday in November to the second Sunday in March; the rest of the year Pacific Time is PDT (UTC−7). Many people say “PST” all year — the live clock above shows the abbreviation in effect today.
Which cities use Pacific Time and Central Time?
Pacific Time: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Las Vegas, Portland and Vancouver (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/Los_Angeles 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.