CST to EST Converter
Convert time between Central Standard Time (CST) and Eastern Time (EST/EDT).
Convert a specific time
- IndiaIST, UTC+5:30
- Eastern Time – New YorkEDT, UTC-4
- Central Time – ChicagoCDT, UTC-5
- Mountain Time – DenverMDT, UTC-6
- Arizona – PhoenixMST, UTC-7
- Pacific Time – Los AngelesPDT, UTC-7
- Mexico CityCST, UTC-6
- Saskatchewan – ReginaCST, UTC-6
- UTC / GMTUTC, UTC+0
- United Kingdom – LondonBST, UTC+1
- Central Europe – Paris, BerlinCEST, UTC+2
- Gulf – DubaiGST, UTC+4
- SingaporeSGT, UTC+8
- Japan – TokyoJST, UTC+9
- Australia Eastern – SydneyAEST, UTC+10
- EST (always UTC-5)Fixed offset, no DST
- CST (always UTC-6)Fixed offset, no DST
- MST (always UTC-7)Fixed offset, no DST
- PST (always UTC-8)Fixed offset, no DST
- IndiaIST, UTC+5:30
- Eastern Time – New YorkEDT, UTC-4
- Central Time – ChicagoCDT, UTC-5
- Mountain Time – DenverMDT, UTC-6
- Arizona – PhoenixMST, UTC-7
- Pacific Time – Los AngelesPDT, UTC-7
- Mexico CityCST, UTC-6
- Saskatchewan – ReginaCST, UTC-6
- UTC / GMTUTC, UTC+0
- United Kingdom – LondonBST, UTC+1
- Central Europe – Paris, BerlinCEST, UTC+2
- Gulf – DubaiGST, UTC+4
- SingaporeSGT, UTC+8
- Japan – TokyoJST, UTC+9
- Australia Eastern – SydneyAEST, UTC+10
- EST (always UTC-5)Fixed offset, no DST
- CST (always UTC-6)Fixed offset, no DST
- MST (always UTC-7)Fixed offset, no DST
- PST (always UTC-8)Fixed offset, no DST
Time Difference
Central Time is 1 hour behind Eastern Time right now.
- Now until Nov 1, 2026: Central Time is 1 hour behind Eastern Time (CDT → EDT).
- Nov 1, 2026 – Nov 1, 2026: Central Time and Eastern Time show the same time (CDT → EST).
- Nov 1, 2026 – Mar 14, 2027: Central Time is 1 hour behind Eastern Time (CST → EST).
- Mar 14, 2027 – Mar 14, 2027: Central Time is 2 hours behind Eastern Time (CST → EDT).
- From Mar 14, 2027: Central Time is 1 hour behind Eastern Time (CDT → EDT).
Central Time is on CDT right now, not CST
Eastern Time is on EDT right now, not EST
Best time to call
Convenient overlapping hours on Saturday, September 19, 2026.
| CST (Central Time) | EDT (Eastern Time) |
|---|---|
| 9:00 AM | 10:00 AM |
| 10:00 AM | 11:00 AM |
| 11:00 AM | 12:00 PM |
| 12:00 PM | 1:00 PM |
These hours fall within 9 AM–5 PM in both places.
Convert another time zone Plan a meeting across CST and ESTCST to EST conversion table
For Saturday, September 19, 2026 in Central Time.
| CDT | EDT |
|---|---|
| 12:00 AM | 1:00 AM |
| 1:00 AM | 2:00 AM |
| 2:00 AM | 3:00 AM |
| 3:00 AM | 4:00 AM |
| 4:00 AM | 5:00 AM |
| 5:00 AM | 6:00 AM |
| 6:00 AM | 7:00 AM |
| 7:00 AM | 8:00 AM |
| 8:00 AM | 9:00 AM |
| 9:00 AM | 10:00 AM |
| 10:00 AM | 11:00 AM |
| 11:00 AM | 12:00 PM |
| 12:00 PM | 1:00 PM |
| 1:00 PM | 2:00 PM |
| 2:00 PM | 3:00 PM |
| 3:00 PM | 4:00 PM |
| 4:00 PM | 5:00 PM |
| 5:00 PM | 6:00 PM |
| 6:00 PM | 7:00 PM |
| 7:00 PM | 8:00 PM |
| 8:00 PM | 9:00 PM |
| 9:00 PM | 10:00 PM |
| 10:00 PM | 11:00 PM |
| 11:00 PM | 12:00 AM(next day) |
About these time zones
Central Standard Time (CST)
Central Standard Time (CST) is UTC-6. Most of the central United States and Manitoba use CST only in winter and switch to Central Daylight Time (CDT, UTC-5) from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November. Most of Saskatchewan, most of Mexico and much of Central America stay on CST all year.
Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Eastern Standard Time (EST) is UTC-5. Most places on Eastern Time use EST only in winter; from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November they observe Eastern Daylight Time (EDT, UTC-4). People often write “EST” all year when they mean Eastern Time, so check which one is in effect.
CST to EST FAQs
What time is it in EST when it is 9 AM CST?
On Saturday, September 19, 2026, 9:00 AM CDT is 10:00 AM EDT in Eastern Time.
How many hours ahead is CST from EST?
It depends on the time of year because of daylight saving time. Now until Nov 1, 2026: Central Time is 1 hour behind Eastern Time (CDT → EDT). Nov 1, 2026 – Nov 1, 2026: Central Time and Eastern Time show the same time (CDT → EST).
Should I use EST or EDT?
Eastern Time is on EDT (UTC-4) on Saturday, September 19, 2026. Many people write “EST” all year, but strictly EST means Eastern Standard Time (always UTC-5). This converter follows the real local time in Eastern Time, including daylight saving time.
What is the best time for a call between CST and EST?
On Saturday, September 19, 2026, good options are 9:00 AM CDT (10:00 AM EDT), 10:00 AM CDT (11:00 AM EDT), 11:00 AM CDT (12:00 PM EDT), 12:00 PM CDT (1:00 PM EDT). These fall within normal 9 AM–5 PM working hours in both places.
Does CST change for daylight saving time?
The region changes: Central Time switches between CST and CDT, so conversions depend on the date. CST itself always means UTC-6.
Does EST change for daylight saving time?
The region changes: Eastern Time switches between EST and EDT, so conversions depend on the date. EST itself always means UTC-5.