ToolFeather
Time zonesLive · DST-aware

EST to CST Converter

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

Quick presets

EST to CST Converter

EST
New York
—
CST
Chicago
—

—

Uses your browser's built-in, DST-aware time-zone data.

ToolFeather · Intl API

About converting EST to CST

Eastern Time (New York) 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 EST 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.

EST vs CST: the time difference through the year

The difference stays the same all year: CST is 1 h behind EST.

PeriodDifference
Oct 23, 2026 – Oct 23, 2027CST 1 h behind EST

Daylight-saving changes in the next year

ZoneDateOffsetChange
ESTNov 1, 2026UTC−4 → UTC−5Clocks go back 1 hour
ESTMar 14, 2027UTC−5 → UTC−4Clocks go forward 1 hour
ESTNov 7, 2027UTC−4 → UTC−5Clocks 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

EST to CST conversion table

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

Best time to meet

The two zones

EST · Eastern Time

Eastern Time is UTC−5 in winter (EST) and UTC−4 in summer (EDT). It covers New York, Washington DC, Atlanta, Miami and Toronto. Daylight saving runs from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November.

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 EST 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 Eastern Time and Central Time, so the time you see is always right for right now.
How do I convert EST to CST?
Enter a time in the EST 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 EST to CST converter accurate with daylight saving?
Yes. It uses your browser's built-in time-zone database (the IANA zones behind New York 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 EST.
Does the EST to CST time difference change?
No. Neither switch changes the gap: CST is 1 h behind EST all year.
What is a good meeting time for EST and CST?
Office hours overlap from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST (9:00 AM to 4:00 PM CST).