Offset
The time difference between Central Time and Coordinated Universal Time is 5 hours.
Central Time (CDT) is behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
CDT: UTC-5
UTC: UTC
Central Time is currently observing daylight saving time; Coordinated Universal Time is not.
When to schedule
Business-hours overlap: 9 AM–12 PM in Central Time (2 PM–5 PM in Coordinated Universal Time).
Both teams are in working hours during this window on weekdays.
Suggested time: 10:00 AM Central Time (3:00 PM Coordinated Universal 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.
Coordinated Universal Time is also known as UTC.
Coordinated Universal Time is approximately 6,100 miles east of Central Time.
Quick reference
Full 24-hour conversion table — tap any time to open it in the converter.
| CST | UTC | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 am | 5:00 am | Same day |
| 1:00 am | 6:00 am | Same day |
| 2:00 am | 7:00 am | Same day |
| 3:00 am | 8:00 am | Same day |
| 4:00 am | 9:00 am | Same day |
| 5:00 am | 10:00 am | Same day |
| 6:00 am | 11:00 am | Same day |
| 7:00 am | 12:00 pm | Same day |
| 8:00 am | 1:00 pm | Same day |
| 9:00 am | 2:00 pm | Same day |
| 10:00 am | 3:00 pm | Same day |
| 11:00 am | 4:00 pm | Same day |
| 12:00 pm | 5:00 pm | Same day |
| 1:00 pm | 6:00 pm | Same day |
| 2:00 pm | 7:00 pm | Same day |
| 3:00 pm | 8:00 pm | Same day |
| 4:00 pm | 9:00 pm | Same day |
| 5:00 pm | 10:00 pm | Same day |
| 6:00 pm | 11:00 pm | Same day |
| 7:00 pm | 12:00 am | +1 day |
| 8:00 pm | 1:00 am | +1 day |
| 9:00 pm | 2:00 am | +1 day |
| 10:00 pm | 3:00 am | +1 day |
| 11:00 pm | 4:00 am | +1 day |
Daylight saving time
Central Time observes daylight saving time; Coordinated Universal 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
- 5:56 AM
- Sunset
- 6:03 PM
- Day length
- 12h 7m
Cities in these zones
Cities in Central 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
Related conversions
Common conversions
- What is 9:00 am CST in UTC?
- 9:00 am CST is 2:00 pm UTC.
- What is 12:00 pm CST in UTC?
- 12:00 pm CST is 5:00 pm UTC.
- What is 12:30 pm CST in UTC?
- 12:30 pm CST is 5:30 pm UTC.
- What is 2:00 pm CST in UTC?
- 2:00 pm CST is 7:00 pm UTC.
- What is 5:00 pm CST in UTC?
- 5:00 pm CST is 10:00 pm UTC.
- What is 11:30 pm CST in UTC?
- 11:30 pm CST is 4:30 am UTC, the next day.