Offset
The time difference between Central Time and Central Africa Time is 7 hours.
Central Time (CDT) is behind Central Africa Time (CAT).
CDT: UTC-5
CAT: UTC+2
Central Time is currently observing daylight saving time; Central Africa Time is not.
When to schedule
Business-hours overlap: 9 AM–10 AM in Central Time (4 PM–5 PM in Central Africa Time).
Both teams are in working hours during this window on weekdays.
Suggested time: 9:00 AM Central Time (4:00 PM Central Africa 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 Time is also known as CST, or CDT. To call United States, dial +1.
Central Africa Time is also known as CAT. To call Zambia, dial +260.
Central Africa Time is approximately 8,500 miles east of Central Time.
Quick reference
Full 24-hour conversion table — tap any time to open it in the converter.
| CST | CAT | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 am | 7:00 am | Same day |
| 1:00 am | 8:00 am | Same day |
| 2:00 am | 9:00 am | Same day |
| 3:00 am | 10:00 am | Same day |
| 4:00 am | 11:00 am | Same day |
| 5:00 am | 12:00 pm | Same day |
| 6:00 am | 1:00 pm | Same day |
| 7:00 am | 2:00 pm | Same day |
| 8:00 am | 3:00 pm | Same day |
| 9:00 am | 4:00 pm | Same day |
| 10:00 am | 5:00 pm | Same day |
| 11:00 am | 6:00 pm | Same day |
| 12:00 pm | 7:00 pm | Same day |
| 1:00 pm | 8:00 pm | Same day |
| 2:00 pm | 9:00 pm | Same day |
| 3:00 pm | 10:00 pm | Same day |
| 4:00 pm | 11:00 pm | Same day |
| 5:00 pm | 12:00 am | +1 day |
| 6:00 pm | 1:00 am | +1 day |
| 7:00 pm | 2:00 am | +1 day |
| 8:00 pm | 3:00 am | +1 day |
| 9:00 pm | 4:00 am | +1 day |
| 10:00 pm | 5:00 am | +1 day |
| 11:00 pm | 6:00 am | +1 day |
Daylight saving time
Central Time observes daylight saving time; Central Africa Time does not. The offset between the two zones changes when Central Time transitions: on Sunday, November 1, 2026, clocks fall back from CDT to CST.
See the daylight saving time page for transition dates across every time zone.
Daylight today
- Sunrise
- 5:18 AM
- Sunset
- 8:22 PM
- Day length
- 15h 4m
- Sunrise
- 6:22 AM
- Sunset
- 5:28 PM
- Day length
- 11h 6m
Cities in these zones
Cities in Central Time
Cities in Central Africa Time
Browse all cities to see the current local time anywhere.
Airports in these zones
Airports in Central Time
- GYY
- MDW
- ORD
- HOU
- IAH
- SAT
- DAL
- DFW
- AUS
- BNA
Airports in Central Africa Time
- HRE
Related conversions
Common conversions
- What is 9:00 am CST in CAT?
- 9:00 am CST is 4:00 pm CAT.
- What is 12:00 pm CST in CAT?
- 12:00 pm CST is 7:00 pm CAT.
- What is 12:30 pm CST in CAT?
- 12:30 pm CST is 7:30 pm CAT.
- What is 2:00 pm CST in CAT?
- 2:00 pm CST is 9:00 pm CAT.
- What is 5:00 pm CST in CAT?
- 5:00 pm CST is 12:00 am CAT, the next day.
- What is 11:30 pm CST in CAT?
- 11:30 pm CST is 6:30 am CAT, the next day.