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Time zonesLive · DST-aware

BST to CST Converter

See the current time in BST (London) and CST (Chicago) side by side, the exact time difference right now, and convert any time between the two zones.

Quick presets

BST to CST Converter

BST
London
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CST
Chicago
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Uses your browser's built-in, DST-aware time-zone data.

ToolFeather · Intl API

About converting BST to CST

British Time (London) (London) and Central Time (Chicago) are in different time zones, so a meeting, call or stream that's convenient in one may be early or late in the other. The clocks above update live and account for daylight saving automatically, so the time difference you see is the real one for today — not a fixed number that goes stale twice a year.

To plan across the two, type a time into the BST box (or tap a quick preset) and read the CST equivalent, including a "next day" or "previous day" note when the conversion crosses midnight. For any other pair of zones or cities, use the full timezone converter.

BST vs CST: the time difference through the year

The gap between BST and CST changes during the year because they switch to and from daylight saving on different dates.

PeriodDifference
Oct 23, 2026 – Oct 24, 2026CST 6 h behind BST
Oct 25, 2026 – Oct 31, 2026CST 5 h behind BST
Nov 1, 2026 – Mar 13, 2027CST 6 h behind BST
Mar 14, 2027 – Mar 27, 2027CST 5 h behind BST
Mar 28, 2027 – Oct 23, 2027CST 6 h behind BST

Daylight-saving changes in the next year

ZoneDateOffsetChange
BSTOct 25, 2026UTC+1 → UTC+0Clocks go back 1 hour
BSTMar 28, 2027UTC+0 → UTC+1Clocks go forward 1 hour
BSTOct 31, 2027UTC+1 → UTC+0Clocks go back 1 hour
CSTNov 1, 2026UTC−5 → UTC−6Clocks go back 1 hour
CSTMar 14, 2027UTC−6 → UTC−5Clocks go forward 1 hour
CSTNov 7, 2027UTC−5 → UTC−6Clocks go back 1 hour

BST to CST conversion table

BSTCST (when 6 h behind)CST (when 5 h behind)
12:00 AM6:00 PM (previous day)7:00 PM (previous day)
1:00 AM7:00 PM (previous day)8:00 PM (previous day)
2:00 AM8:00 PM (previous day)9:00 PM (previous day)
3:00 AM9:00 PM (previous day)10:00 PM (previous day)
4:00 AM10:00 PM (previous day)11:00 PM (previous day)
5:00 AM11:00 PM (previous day)12:00 AM
6:00 AM12:00 AM1:00 AM
7:00 AM1:00 AM2:00 AM
8:00 AM2:00 AM3:00 AM
9:00 AM3:00 AM4:00 AM
10:00 AM4:00 AM5:00 AM
11:00 AM5:00 AM6:00 AM
12:00 PM6:00 AM7:00 AM
1:00 PM7:00 AM8:00 AM
2:00 PM8:00 AM9:00 AM
3:00 PM9:00 AM10:00 AM
4:00 PM10:00 AM11:00 AM
5:00 PM11:00 AM12:00 PM
6:00 PM12:00 PM1:00 PM
7:00 PM1:00 PM2:00 PM
8:00 PM2:00 PM3:00 PM
9:00 PM3:00 PM4:00 PM
10:00 PM4:00 PM5:00 PM
11:00 PM5:00 PM6:00 PM

Best time to meet

The two zones

BST · British Time (London)

UK time is GMT (UTC+0) in winter and British Summer Time (BST, UTC+1) from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October. Ireland and Portugal follow the same switch dates.

CST · Central Time

Central Time is UTC−6 in winter (CST) and UTC−5 in summer (CDT). It covers Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Mexico City (which no longer uses DST) and Winnipeg. US daylight saving runs from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November.

Frequently asked questions

6 answers
What is the time difference between BST and CST?
It's shown live at the top of this page (and it can change with daylight saving). The converter uses the current, DST-aware difference between British Time (London) and Central Time, so the time you see is always right for right now.
How do I convert BST to CST?
Enter a time in the BST box and the equivalent CST time appears instantly, adjusted for the current offset between the two zones — including a note if it lands on the previous or next day.
Is this BST to CST converter accurate with daylight saving?
Yes. It uses your browser's built-in time-zone database (the IANA zones behind London and Chicago), which tracks daylight-saving changes automatically, so the current times and difference are correct.
What time is it in Chicago right now?
The live clock above shows the current time in Chicago (CST), updating every second, alongside BST.
Does the BST to CST time difference change?
Yes. Over the next 12 months it is 6 h behind or 5 h behind, depending on the date — see the table of periods on this page.
What is a good meeting time for BST and CST?
Office hours overlap from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM BST (9:00 AM to 11:00 AM CST).