EST to CST Converter
Convert time between Eastern Standard Time (EST) and Central Time (CST/CDT).
Convert a specific time
- IndiaIST, UTC+5:30
- Eastern Time – New YorkEST, UTC-5
- Central Time – ChicagoCST, UTC-6
- Mountain Time – DenverMST, UTC-7
- Arizona – PhoenixMST, UTC-7
- Pacific Time – Los AngelesPST, UTC-8
- Mexico CityCST, UTC-6
- Saskatchewan – ReginaCST, UTC-6
- UTC / GMTUTC, UTC+0
- United Kingdom – LondonGMT, UTC+0
- Central Europe – Paris, BerlinCET, UTC+1
- Gulf – DubaiGST, UTC+4
- SingaporeSGT, UTC+8
- Japan – TokyoJST, UTC+9
- Australia Eastern – SydneyAEDT, UTC+11
- 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 YorkEST, UTC-5
- Central Time – ChicagoCST, UTC-6
- Mountain Time – DenverMST, UTC-7
- Arizona – PhoenixMST, UTC-7
- Pacific Time – Los AngelesPST, UTC-8
- Mexico CityCST, UTC-6
- Saskatchewan – ReginaCST, UTC-6
- UTC / GMTUTC, UTC+0
- United Kingdom – LondonGMT, UTC+0
- Central Europe – Paris, BerlinCET, UTC+1
- Gulf – DubaiGST, UTC+4
- SingaporeSGT, UTC+8
- Japan – TokyoJST, UTC+9
- Australia Eastern – SydneyAEDT, UTC+11
- 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
Eastern Time is 1 hour ahead of Central Time right now.
- Now until Mar 14, 2027: Eastern Time is 1 hour ahead of Central Time (EST → CST).
- Mar 14, 2027 – Mar 14, 2027: Eastern Time is 2 hours ahead of Central Time (EDT → CST).
- From Mar 14, 2027: Eastern Time is 1 hour ahead of Central Time (EDT → CDT).
Eastern Time is on EST right now
Central Time is on CST right now
Best time to call
Convenient overlapping hours on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
| EST (Eastern Time) | CST (Central Time) |
|---|---|
| 10:00 AM | 9:00 AM |
| 11:00 AM | 10:00 AM |
| 12:00 PM | 11:00 AM |
| 1:00 PM | 12:00 PM |
These hours fall within 9 AM–5 PM in both places.
Convert another time zone Plan a meeting across EST and CSTEST to CST conversion table
For Tuesday, November 3, 2026 in Eastern Time.
| EST | CST |
|---|---|
| 12:00 AM | 11:00 PM(previous day) |
| 1:00 AM | 12:00 AM |
| 2:00 AM | 1:00 AM |
| 3:00 AM | 2:00 AM |
| 4:00 AM | 3:00 AM |
| 5:00 AM | 4:00 AM |
| 6:00 AM | 5:00 AM |
| 7:00 AM | 6:00 AM |
| 8:00 AM | 7:00 AM |
| 9:00 AM | 8:00 AM |
| 10:00 AM | 9:00 AM |
| 11:00 AM | 10:00 AM |
| 12:00 PM | 11:00 AM |
| 1:00 PM | 12:00 PM |
| 2:00 PM | 1:00 PM |
| 3:00 PM | 2:00 PM |
| 4:00 PM | 3:00 PM |
| 5:00 PM | 4:00 PM |
| 6:00 PM | 5:00 PM |
| 7:00 PM | 6:00 PM |
| 8:00 PM | 7:00 PM |
| 9:00 PM | 8:00 PM |
| 10:00 PM | 9:00 PM |
| 11:00 PM | 10:00 PM |
About these time zones
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.
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.
EST to CST FAQs
What time is it in CST when it is 9 AM EST?
On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, 9:00 AM EST is 8:00 AM CST in Central Time.
How many hours ahead is EST from CST?
It depends on the time of year because of daylight saving time. Now until Mar 14, 2027: Eastern Time is 1 hour ahead of Central Time (EST → CST). Mar 14, 2027 – Mar 14, 2027: Eastern Time is 2 hours ahead of Central Time (EDT → CST).
Should I use CST or CDT?
Central Time is on CST (UTC-6) on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Many people write “CST” all year, but strictly CST means Central Standard Time (always UTC-6). This converter follows the real local time in Central Time, including daylight saving time.
What is the best time for a call between EST and CST?
On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, good options are 10:00 AM EST (9:00 AM CST), 11:00 AM EST (10:00 AM CST), 12:00 PM EST (11:00 AM CST), 1:00 PM EST (12:00 PM CST). These fall within normal 9 AM–5 PM working hours in both places.
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.
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.