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Time zonesLive · DST-aware

UTC to CST Converter

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

Quick presets

UTC to CST Converter

UTC
UTC
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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 UTC to CST

Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) 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 UTC 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.

UTC vs CST: the time difference through the year

The gap between UTC and CST changes during the year because only one of them uses daylight saving.

PeriodDifference
Oct 23, 2026 – Oct 31, 2026CST 5 h behind UTC
Nov 1, 2026 – Mar 13, 2027CST 6 h behind UTC
Mar 14, 2027 – Oct 23, 2027CST 5 h behind UTC

Daylight-saving changes in the next year

ZoneDateOffsetChange
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

UTC to CST conversion table

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

Best time to meet

The two zones

UTC · Coordinated Universal Time

Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) is the world's time standard, kept by atomic clocks. It never changes for daylight saving.

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 UTC 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 Coordinated Universal Time and Central Time, so the time you see is always right for right now.
How do I convert UTC to CST?
Enter a time in the UTC 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 UTC to CST converter accurate with daylight saving?
Yes. It uses your browser's built-in time-zone database (the IANA zones behind UTC 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 UTC.
Does the UTC to CST time difference change?
Yes. Over the next 12 months it is 5 h behind or 6 h behind, depending on the date — see the table of periods on this page.
What is a good meeting time for UTC and CST?
Office hours overlap from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM UTC (9:00 AM to 12:00 PM CST).