Offset
The time difference between Central European Time and Eastern Time is 5 hours.
Central European Time (CET) is ahead of Eastern Time (EDT).
CET: UTC+1
EDT: UTC-4
Eastern Time is currently observing daylight saving time; Central European Time is not.
When to schedule
Business-hours overlap: 3 PM–5 PM in Central European 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 European 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.
France
- New Year's DayThu, Jan 1
- Easter MondayMon, Apr 6
- Labour DayFri, May 1
- Victory in Europe DayFri, May 8
- Ascension DayThu, May 14
- Whit MondayMon, May 25
- Bastille DayTue, Jul 14
- Assumption DaySat, Aug 15
- All Saints' DaySun, Nov 1
- Armistice DayWed, Nov 11
- Christmas DayFri, Dec 25
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 European Time is also known as CET, or CEST. To call France, dial +33.
Eastern Time is also known as EST, or EDT. To call United States, dial +1.
Eastern Time is approximately 3,650 miles west of Central European Time.
Quick reference
Full 24-hour conversion table — tap any time to open it in the converter.
| CET | 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 | 10:00 pm | -1 day |
| 4:00 am | 11:00 pm | -1 day |
| 5:00 am | 12:00 am | Same day |
| 6:00 am | 1:00 am | Same day |
| 7:00 am | 2:00 am | Same day |
| 8:00 am | 3:00 am | Same day |
| 9:00 am | 4:00 am | Same day |
| 10:00 am | 5:00 am | Same day |
| 11:00 am | 6:00 am | Same day |
| 12:00 pm | 7:00 am | Same day |
| 1:00 pm | 8:00 am | Same day |
| 2:00 pm | 9:00 am | Same day |
| 3:00 pm | 10:00 am | Same day |
| 4:00 pm | 11:00 am | Same day |
| 5:00 pm | 12:00 pm | Same day |
| 6:00 pm | 1:00 pm | Same day |
| 7:00 pm | 2:00 pm | Same day |
| 8:00 pm | 3:00 pm | Same day |
| 9:00 pm | 4:00 pm | Same day |
| 10:00 pm | 5:00 pm | Same day |
| 11:00 pm | 6:00 pm | Same day |
Daylight saving time
Both zones observe daylight saving time, but they transition on different dates.
Central European Time: next transition on Sunday, March 28, 2027.
Eastern Time: next transition on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
For approximately 147 days between transitions, the offset between Central European Time and Eastern Time differs from its typical value. Recurring meetings during this window will shift by one hour.
See the daylight saving time page for transition dates across every time zone.
Daylight today
- Sunrise
- 7:27 AM
- Sunset
- 5:44 PM
- Day length
- 10h 18m
- Sunrise
- 7:18 AM
- Sunset
- 6:04 PM
- Day length
- 10h 47m
Cities in these zones
Cities in Central European Time
Cities in Eastern Time
Browse all cities to see the current local time anywhere.
Airports in these zones
Airports in Central European Time
- CDG
- LBG
- ORY
- MRS
- GNB
- LYS
- NCE
Airports in Eastern Time
- EWR
- HPN
- JFK
- LGA
- TEB
- ILG
- PHL
- TTN
- CLT
- USA
Related conversions
Common conversions
- What is 9:00 am CET in EST?
- 9:00 am CET is 4:00 am EST.
- What is 12:00 pm CET in EST?
- 12:00 pm CET is 7:00 am EST.
- What is 12:30 pm CET in EST?
- 12:30 pm CET is 7:30 am EST.
- What is 2:00 pm CET in EST?
- 2:00 pm CET is 9:00 am EST.
- What is 5:00 pm CET in EST?
- 5:00 pm CET is 12:00 pm EST.
- What is 11:30 pm CET in EST?
- 11:30 pm CET is 6:30 pm EST.