Offset
The time difference between West Africa Time and Central Time is 6 hours.
West Africa Time (WAT) is ahead of Central Time (CDT).
WAT: UTC+1
CDT: UTC-5
Central Time is currently observing daylight saving time; West Africa Time is not.
When to schedule
Business-hours overlap: 3 PM–5 PM in West Africa Time (9 AM–11 AM in Central Time).
Both teams are in working hours during this window on weekdays.
Suggested time: 4:00 PM West Africa Time (10:00 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.
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
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
West Africa Time is also known as WAT. To call Nigeria, dial +234.
Central Time is also known as CST, or CDT. To call United States, dial +1.
Central Time is approximately 5,950 miles northwest of West Africa Time.
Quick reference
Full 24-hour conversion table — tap any time to open it in the converter.
| WAT | CST | 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 | 9:00 pm | -1 day |
| 4:00 am | 10:00 pm | -1 day |
| 5:00 am | 11:00 pm | -1 day |
| 6:00 am | 12:00 am | Same day |
| 7:00 am | 1:00 am | Same day |
| 8:00 am | 2:00 am | Same day |
| 9:00 am | 3:00 am | Same day |
| 10:00 am | 4:00 am | Same day |
| 11:00 am | 5:00 am | Same day |
| 12:00 pm | 6:00 am | Same day |
| 1:00 pm | 7:00 am | Same day |
| 2:00 pm | 8:00 am | Same day |
| 3:00 pm | 9:00 am | Same day |
| 4:00 pm | 10:00 am | Same day |
| 5:00 pm | 11:00 am | Same day |
| 6:00 pm | 12:00 pm | Same day |
| 7:00 pm | 1:00 pm | Same day |
| 8:00 pm | 2:00 pm | Same day |
| 9:00 pm | 3:00 pm | Same day |
| 10:00 pm | 4:00 pm | Same day |
| 11:00 pm | 5:00 pm | Same 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
- 6:31 AM
- Sunset
- 7:00 PM
- Day length
- 12h 29m
- Sunrise
- 5:18 AM
- Sunset
- 8:22 PM
- Day length
- 15h 4m
Cities in these zones
Cities in West Africa Time
Cities in Central Time
Browse all cities to see the current local time anywhere.
Airports in these zones
Airports in West Africa Time
- LOS
- KAN
- IBA
- ABV
- PHC
- KAD
- BNI
- ABB
Airports in Central Time
- GYY
- MDW
- ORD
- HOU
- IAH
- SAT
- DAL
- DFW
- AUS
- BNA
Related conversions
Common conversions
- What is 9:00 am WAT in CST?
- 9:00 am WAT is 3:00 am CST.
- What is 12:00 pm WAT in CST?
- 12:00 pm WAT is 6:00 am CST.
- What is 12:30 pm WAT in CST?
- 12:30 pm WAT is 6:30 am CST.
- What is 2:00 pm WAT in CST?
- 2:00 pm WAT is 8:00 am CST.
- What is 5:00 pm WAT in CST?
- 5:00 pm WAT is 11:00 am CST.
- What is 11:30 pm WAT in CST?
- 11:30 pm WAT is 5:30 pm CST.