CDT — Central Daylight Time

UTC-5 · Active March–November · Daylight Saving version of CST

CT — Central Daylight Time
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CDT UTC-5CDT UTC-5 (DST)

Time Zone Facts

Standard Offset
UTC-5
DST Offset
UTC-5
Standard Abbr
CDT
DST Abbr
CDT
IANA Identifier
America/Chicago
DST Schedule
CDT is the summer name for Central Time. During winter, the same states observe CST (UTC-6). CDT has the same offset as EST (UTC-5) but applies to a different region.

States in CT — Central Daylight Time

IllinoisTexasMinnesotaWisconsinMissouriIowaKansasNebraskaOklahomaArkansasLouisianaMississippiAlabamaNorth DakotaSouth DakotaIndiana (northwest)Tennessee (west)Kentucky (west)

Major Cities in CT

ChicagoDallasHoustonMinneapolisKansas CitySt. LouisNew OrleansMilwaukee

Daylight Saving Time

CDT is the summer name for Central Time. During winter, the same states observe CST (UTC-6). CDT has the same offset as EST (UTC-5) but applies to a different region.

Clocks spring forward 1 hour at 2:00 AM on the second Sunday in March, changing from CDT (UTC-5) to CDT (UTC-5).

Clocks fall back 1 hour at 2:00 AM on the first Sunday in November, returning from CDT (UTC-5) to CDT (UTC-5).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CDT time right now?
CDT (Central Daylight Time) is UTC-5. It is the daylight saving version of CST (Central Standard Time, UTC-6). CDT is active from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November. During this period, the US Central time zone is UTC-5, the same offset as Eastern Standard Time (EST).
Is CDT the same as EST?
CDT and EST share the same UTC offset (UTC-5), but they are not the same time zone. CDT is Central Daylight Time — used by the US Central time zone during summer. EST is Eastern Standard Time — used by the US East Coast during winter. They happen to be at the same UTC offset at different times of year.
What is the difference between CST and CDT?
CST (Central Standard Time) is UTC-6 and is used in winter (November to March). CDT (Central Daylight Time) is UTC-5 and is used in summer (March to November) during Daylight Saving Time. CDT is 1 hour ahead of CST. The transition happens on the second Sunday in March (CST → CDT) and first Sunday in November (CDT → CST).
What states observe CDT?
States on Central Time that observe CDT include: Illinois, Texas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Indiana (northwest), North Dakota, South Dakota, and parts of Tennessee and Kentucky. These states switch from CST (UTC-6) in winter to CDT (UTC-5) in summer.
How many hours behind is CDT from GMT?
CDT (UTC-5) is 5 hours behind GMT/UTC. When it is 12:00 PM GMT, it is 7:00 AM CDT. CDT is 1 hour closer to GMT than CST (UTC-6), which is 6 hours behind.

Related Time Zones

CST — Central Standard TimeEST — Eastern Standard TimeEDT — Eastern Daylight TimeMST — Mountain Standard TimePST — Pacific Standard TimeCST to EST ConverterDaylight Saving Time 2026Time Zone Converter
CDT (Central Daylight Time) is UTC-5. Active from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November. Outside this window, Central Time zones observe CST (UTC-6).