Offset
The time difference between Central Time and West Africa Time is 6 hours.
Central Time (CDT) is behind West Africa Time (WAT).
CDT: UTC-5
WAT: UTC+1
Central Time is currently observing daylight saving time; West Africa Time is not.
When to schedule
Business-hours overlap: 9 AM–11 AM in Central Time (3 PM–5 PM in West Africa Time).
Both teams are in working hours during this window on weekdays.
Suggested time: 10:00 AM Central Time (4:00 PM West 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
Nigeria
- New Year's DayThu, Jan 1
- Good FridayFri, Apr 3
- Easter MondayMon, Apr 6
- Workers' DayFri, May 1
- Children's DayWed, May 27
- Democracy DayFri, Jun 12
- National DayThu, Oct 1
- National Youth DaySun, Nov 1
- Christmas DayFri, Dec 25
- Boxing DayMon, Dec 28
About these zones
Central Time is also known as CST, or CDT. To call United States, dial +1.
West Africa Time is also known as WAT. To call Nigeria, dial +234.
West Africa Time is approximately 5,950 miles east of Central Time.
Quick reference
Full 24-hour conversion table — tap any time to open it in the converter.
| CST | WAT | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 am | 6:00 am | Same day |
| 1:00 am | 7:00 am | Same day |
| 2:00 am | 8:00 am | Same day |
| 3:00 am | 9:00 am | Same day |
| 4:00 am | 10:00 am | Same day |
| 5:00 am | 11:00 am | Same day |
| 6:00 am | 12:00 pm | Same day |
| 7:00 am | 1:00 pm | Same day |
| 8:00 am | 2:00 pm | Same day |
| 9:00 am | 3:00 pm | Same day |
| 10:00 am | 4:00 pm | Same day |
| 11:00 am | 5:00 pm | Same day |
| 12:00 pm | 6:00 pm | Same day |
| 1:00 pm | 7:00 pm | Same day |
| 2:00 pm | 8:00 pm | Same day |
| 3:00 pm | 9:00 pm | Same day |
| 4:00 pm | 10:00 pm | Same day |
| 5:00 pm | 11:00 pm | Same day |
| 6:00 pm | 12:00 am | +1 day |
| 7:00 pm | 1:00 am | +1 day |
| 8:00 pm | 2:00 am | +1 day |
| 9:00 pm | 3:00 am | +1 day |
| 10:00 pm | 4:00 am | +1 day |
| 11:00 pm | 5:00 am | +1 day |
Daylight saving time
Central Time observes daylight saving time; West 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
- 6:31 AM
- Sunset
- 7:00 PM
- Day length
- 12h 29m
Cities in these zones
Cities in Central Time
Cities in West 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 West Africa Time
- LOS
- KAN
- IBA
- ABV
- PHC
- KAD
- BNI
- ABB
Related conversions
Common conversions
- What is 9:00 am CST in WAT?
- 9:00 am CST is 3:00 pm WAT.
- What is 12:00 pm CST in WAT?
- 12:00 pm CST is 6:00 pm WAT.
- What is 12:30 pm CST in WAT?
- 12:30 pm CST is 6:30 pm WAT.
- What is 2:00 pm CST in WAT?
- 2:00 pm CST is 8:00 pm WAT.
- What is 5:00 pm CST in WAT?
- 5:00 pm CST is 11:00 pm WAT.
- What is 11:30 pm CST in WAT?
- 11:30 pm CST is 5:30 am WAT, the next day.