CST to EST Converter

Central Standard Time → Eastern Standard Time · CST is 1 hour behind EST

CST
—
EST
—

CST and EST are the same time

CST to EST Conversion Table

CSTEST
12:00 AM12:00 AM
1:00 AM1:00 AM
2:00 AM2:00 AM
3:00 AM3:00 AM
4:00 AM4:00 AM
5:00 AM5:00 AM
6:00 AM6:00 AM
7:00 AM7:00 AM
8:00 AM8:00 AM
9:00 AM9:00 AM
10:00 AM10:00 AM
11:00 AM11:00 AM
12:00 PM12:00 PM
1:00 PM1:00 PM
2:00 PM2:00 PM
3:00 PM3:00 PM
4:00 PM4:00 PM
5:00 PM5:00 PM
6:00 PM6:00 PM
7:00 PM7:00 PM
8:00 PM8:00 PM
9:00 PM9:00 PM
10:00 PM10:00 PM
11:00 PM11:00 PM

Green rows = business hours overlap (9:00 AM – 6:00 PM CST)

Major CST Cities
  • Chicago, IL
  • Houston, TX
  • Dallas, TX
  • Minneapolis, MN
  • Kansas City, MO
  • New Orleans, LA
Major EST Cities
  • New York, NY
  • Miami, FL
  • Boston, MA
  • Atlanta, GA
  • Washington D.C.
  • Detroit, MI
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CST vs EST — What You Need to Know

Central Standard Time (CST) is UTC-6. It covers much of the central United States including Illinois, Texas, Minnesota, and Louisiana. During Daylight Saving Time (March–November), CST becomes CDT (UTC-5).

Eastern Standard Time (EST) is UTC-5. It covers the US East Coast: New York, Florida, Georgia, and the Atlantic provinces of Canada. During summer it becomes EDT (UTC-4).

The difference is always 1 hour. With 9 AM–5 PM business hours, Chicago and New York share nearly a full day of overlap — making scheduling between CST and EST straightforward.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours is CST behind EST?

CST (Central Standard Time, UTC-6) is 1 hour behind EST (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-5). This difference stays at exactly 1 hour year-round because both zones observe Daylight Saving Time on the same dates.

When it is 9:00 AM CST, what time is it EST?

When it is 9:00 AM CST, it is 10:00 AM EST. CST is always 1 hour behind EST.

What is the difference between CST and CDT?

CST is Central Standard Time (UTC-6), used during winter. CDT is Central Daylight Time (UTC-5), used during summer Daylight Saving Time from March to November. The difference from EST/EDT remains 1 hour in both cases.

Does the CST to EST difference change during Daylight Saving Time?

No. The difference is always 1 hour. Both CST and EST observe DST on the same dates each year (second Sunday in March and first Sunday in November), shifting to CDT and EDT simultaneously.

What major cities are in CST?

Major cities in the Central Time Zone include Chicago, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, Minneapolis, Kansas City, St. Louis, New Orleans, Nashville, and Memphis.