Offset
The time difference between Central Africa Time and Eastern Time is 6 hours.
Central Africa Time (CAT) is ahead of Eastern Time (EDT).
CAT: UTC+2
EDT: UTC-4
Eastern Time is currently observing daylight saving time; Central Africa Time is not.
When to schedule
Business-hours overlap: 3 PM–5 PM in Central Africa Time (9 AM–11 AM in Eastern Time).
Both teams are in working hours during this window on weekdays.
Suggested time: 4:00 PM Central Africa Time (10:00 AM Eastern Time).
This window may shift by an hour during daylight saving time.
Public holidays in 2026
National public holidays can affect availability — a counterpart is likely off work on their own holidays, so it's worth planning meetings and deadlines around them.
United States
- New Year's DayThu, Jan 1
- Martin Luther King, Jr. DayMon, Jan 19
- Presidents DayMon, Feb 16
- Memorial DayMon, May 25
- Juneteenth National Independence DayFri, Jun 19
- Independence DayFri, Jul 3
- Labour DayMon, Sep 7
- Columbus DayMon, Oct 12
- Veterans DayWed, Nov 11
- Thanksgiving DayThu, Nov 26
- Christmas DayFri, Dec 25
About these zones
Central Africa Time is also known as CAT. To call Zambia, dial +260.
Eastern Time is also known as EST, or EDT. To call United States, dial +1.
Eastern Time is approximately 7,800 miles northwest of Central Africa Time.
Quick reference
Full 24-hour conversion table — tap any time to open it in the converter.
| CAT | EST | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 am | 6:00 pm | -1 day |
| 1:00 am | 7:00 pm | -1 day |
| 2:00 am | 8:00 pm | -1 day |
| 3:00 am | 9:00 pm | -1 day |
| 4:00 am | 10:00 pm | -1 day |
| 5:00 am | 11:00 pm | -1 day |
| 6:00 am | 12:00 am | Same day |
| 7:00 am | 1:00 am | Same day |
| 8:00 am | 2:00 am | Same day |
| 9:00 am | 3:00 am | Same day |
| 10:00 am | 4:00 am | Same day |
| 11:00 am | 5:00 am | Same day |
| 12:00 pm | 6:00 am | Same day |
| 1:00 pm | 7:00 am | Same day |
| 2:00 pm | 8:00 am | Same day |
| 3:00 pm | 9:00 am | Same day |
| 4:00 pm | 10:00 am | Same day |
| 5:00 pm | 11:00 am | Same day |
| 6:00 pm | 12:00 pm | Same day |
| 7:00 pm | 1:00 pm | Same day |
| 8:00 pm | 2:00 pm | Same day |
| 9:00 pm | 3:00 pm | Same day |
| 10:00 pm | 4:00 pm | Same day |
| 11:00 pm | 5:00 pm | Same day |
Daylight saving time
Eastern Time observes daylight saving time; Central Africa Time does not. The offset between the two zones changes when Eastern Time transitions: on Sunday, November 1, 2026, clocks fall back from EDT to EST.
See the daylight saving time page for transition dates across every time zone.
Daylight today
- Sunrise
- 6:22 AM
- Sunset
- 5:28 PM
- Day length
- 11h 6m
- Sunrise
- 5:27 AM
- Sunset
- 8:24 PM
- Day length
- 14h 58m
Daylight overlap: 6h 2m — 11:27 AM–5:28 PM in Central Africa Time (5:27 AM–11:28 AM in Eastern Time). Both locations are in daylight during this window.
Cities in these zones
Cities in Central Africa Time
Cities in Eastern Time
Browse all cities to see the current local time anywhere.
Airports in these zones
Airports in Central Africa Time
- HRE
Airports in Eastern Time
- EWR
- HPN
- JFK
- LGA
- TEB
- ILG
- PHL
- TTN
- CLT
- USA
Related conversions
Common conversions
- What is 9:00 am CAT in EST?
- 9:00 am CAT is 3:00 am EST.
- What is 12:00 pm CAT in EST?
- 12:00 pm CAT is 6:00 am EST.
- What is 12:30 pm CAT in EST?
- 12:30 pm CAT is 6:30 am EST.
- What is 2:00 pm CAT in EST?
- 2:00 pm CAT is 8:00 am EST.
- What is 5:00 pm CAT in EST?
- 5:00 pm CAT is 11:00 am EST.
- What is 11:30 pm CAT in EST?
- 11:30 pm CAT is 5:30 pm EST.