Offset
The time difference between South Africa Time and Central Time is 7 hours.
South Africa Time (SAST) is ahead of Central Time (CDT).
SAST: UTC+2
CDT: UTC-5
Central Time is currently observing daylight saving time; South Africa Time is not.
When to schedule
Business-hours overlap: 4 PM–5 PM in South Africa Time (9 AM–10 AM in Central Time).
Both teams are in working hours during this window on weekdays.
Suggested time: 4:00 PM South Africa Time (9:00 AM Central 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.
South Africa
- New Year's DayThu, Jan 1
- Human Rights DaySat, Mar 21
- Good FridayFri, Apr 3
- Family DayMon, Apr 6
- Freedom DayMon, Apr 27
- Workers' DayFri, May 1
- Youth DayTue, Jun 16
- National Women's DayMon, Aug 10
- Heritage DayThu, Sep 24
- Day of ReconciliationWed, Dec 16
- Christmas DayFri, Dec 25
- Day of GoodwillSat, Dec 26
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
South Africa Time is also known as SAST. To call South Africa, dial +27.
Central Time is also known as CST, or CDT. To call United States, dial +1.
Central Time is approximately 8,700 miles northwest of South Africa Time.
Quick reference
Full 24-hour conversion table — tap any time to open it in the converter.
| SAST | CST | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 am | 5:00 pm | -1 day |
| 1:00 am | 6:00 pm | -1 day |
| 2:00 am | 7:00 pm | -1 day |
| 3:00 am | 8:00 pm | -1 day |
| 4:00 am | 9:00 pm | -1 day |
| 5:00 am | 10:00 pm | -1 day |
| 6:00 am | 11:00 pm | -1 day |
| 7:00 am | 12:00 am | Same day |
| 8:00 am | 1:00 am | Same day |
| 9:00 am | 2:00 am | Same day |
| 10:00 am | 3:00 am | Same day |
| 11:00 am | 4:00 am | Same day |
| 12:00 pm | 5:00 am | Same day |
| 1:00 pm | 6:00 am | Same day |
| 2:00 pm | 7:00 am | Same day |
| 3:00 pm | 8:00 am | Same day |
| 4:00 pm | 9:00 am | Same day |
| 5:00 pm | 10:00 am | Same day |
| 6:00 pm | 11:00 am | Same day |
| 7:00 pm | 12:00 pm | Same day |
| 8:00 pm | 1:00 pm | Same day |
| 9:00 pm | 2:00 pm | Same day |
| 10:00 pm | 3:00 pm | Same day |
| 11:00 pm | 4:00 pm | Same day |
Daylight saving time
Central Time observes daylight saving time; South 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
- 6:50 AM
- Sunset
- 5:24 PM
- Day length
- 10h 34m
- Sunrise
- 5:18 AM
- Sunset
- 8:22 PM
- Day length
- 15h 4m
Cities in these zones
Cities in South Africa Time
Cities in Central Time
Browse all cities to see the current local time anywhere.
Airports in these zones
Airports in South Africa Time
- HLA
- JNB
- CPT
- DUR
Airports in Central Time
- GYY
- MDW
- ORD
- HOU
- IAH
- SAT
- DAL
- DFW
- AUS
- BNA
Related conversions
Common conversions
- What is 9:00 am SAST in CST?
- 9:00 am SAST is 2:00 am CST.
- What is 12:00 pm SAST in CST?
- 12:00 pm SAST is 5:00 am CST.
- What is 12:30 pm SAST in CST?
- 12:30 pm SAST is 5:30 am CST.
- What is 2:00 pm SAST in CST?
- 2:00 pm SAST is 7:00 am CST.
- What is 5:00 pm SAST in CST?
- 5:00 pm SAST is 10:00 am CST.
- What is 11:30 pm SAST in CST?
- 11:30 pm SAST is 4:30 pm CST.