Central Time Zone

Central Time (CT) is the time zone used by the central United States. It switches between Central Standard Time (CST, UTC-6) in winter and Central Daylight Time (CDT, UTC-5) in summer. It covers states like Illinois, Texas, Minnesota, and Louisiana, and major cities including Chicago, Houston, Dallas, and Minneapolis.

Central Standard Time (CST) is UTC-6 — six hours behind UTC. During Daylight Saving Time (second Sunday in March to first Sunday in November), the Central zone uses CDT (UTC-5).

States primarily in Central Time: Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas (most), Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska (most), North Dakota (most), Oklahoma, South Dakota (most), Tennessee (most), Texas, Wisconsin. Parts of: Indiana (northwest), Kentucky (west), Michigan (northwest tip).

Central Time (CT) is always 1 hour behind Eastern Time (ET). CST (UTC-6) is 1 hour behind EST (UTC-5), and CDT (UTC-5) is 1 hour behind EDT (UTC-4). Both zones observe DST on the same dates, so the gap stays constant year-round.

CST (Central Standard Time) is UTC-6, used November–March. CDT (Central Daylight Time) is UTC-5, used March–November during Daylight Saving Time. Both cover the same geographic zone — the difference is seasonal.