AEST to CST Time Converter

Convert Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) to Central Standard Time (CST). Both time zones are shown live below; current offset between them is 15 hours behind.

Sydney · Australian Eastern Standard Time
18:26:11
Saturday, May 16, 2026
GMT+10 · UTC+10:00
Chicago · Central Standard Time
03:26:11
Saturday, May 16, 2026
CDT · UTC-05:00

Convert a specific time

From: AEST (Sydney)
To: CST (Chicago)
--:--

Daylight Saving status right now

AEST (Australian Eastern Standard Time)
Observes DST
Yes
In DST right now
No
Next spring forward
2026-10-04
Offset shift
UTC+10:00 → UTC+11:00
CST (Central Standard Time)
Observes DST
Yes
In DST right now
Yes
Next fall back
2026-11-01
Offset shift
UTC-05:00 → UTC-06:00

When can AEST and CST meet?

00
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
AEST
CST
Both zones in working hours (9am-5pm)
One zone working
Off-hours
Columns are hours of the day in Sydney (AEST). Each row shows the local working-hours state in that zone for the same moment in time.
No overlap during strict 9-5 working hours; some flexibility needed.
If both sides are willing to extend to 8am-7pm, the available window is 08:00–09:00 AEST (17:00–18:00 CST).

Hour-by-hour AEST to CST conversion table

AEST time (Sydney)CST time (Chicago)Status
00:00 Sat09:00 FriCST working
01:00 Sat10:00 FriCST working
02:00 Sat11:00 FriCST working
03:00 Sat12:00 FriCST working
04:00 Sat13:00 FriCST working
05:00 Sat14:00 FriCST working
06:00 Sat15:00 FriCST working
07:00 Sat16:00 FriCST working
08:00 Sat17:00 FriOff-hours both sides
09:00 Sat18:00 FriAEST working
10:00 Sat19:00 FriAEST working
11:00 Sat20:00 FriAEST working
12:00 Sat21:00 FriAEST working
13:00 Sat22:00 FriAEST working
14:00 Sat23:00 FriAEST working
15:00 Sat00:00 SatAEST working
16:00 Sat01:00 SatAEST working
17:00 Sat02:00 SatOff-hours both sides
18:00 Sat03:00 SatOff-hours both sides
19:00 Sat04:00 SatOff-hours both sides
20:00 Sat05:00 SatOff-hours both sides
21:00 Sat06:00 SatOff-hours both sides
22:00 Sat07:00 SatOff-hours both sides
23:00 Sat08:00 SatOff-hours both sides

Times computed for today in each zone using the IANA time zone database. The conversion accounts for daylight saving time wherever applicable.

About these time zones

Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST)
IANA identifier
Australia/Sydney
Current UTC offset
UTC+10:00
Current abbreviation
GMT+10
Major cities in this zone
SydneyMelbourneCanberra
Central Standard Time (CST)
IANA identifier
America/Chicago
Current UTC offset
UTC-05:00
Current abbreviation
CDT
Major cities in this zone
ChicagoHoustonDallasAustinNew Orleans

Sun today in Sydney and Chicago

Sydney
Sunrise
06:41
Sunset
17:03
Solar noon
11:52
Daylight
10h 22m
Chicago
Sunrise
05:30
Sunset
20:05
Solar noon
12:48
Daylight
14h 34m

Related converters

CST to AEST (reverse)AEST to ESTAEST to PSTAEST to GMTAEST to UTCAEST to CETEST to CSTPST to CSTGMT to CSTUTC to CSTCET to CST
Looking for local time? See time in Sydney or time in Chicago.

Frequently asked questions

What is the time difference between AEST and CST right now?+
CST (Central Standard Time) is currently 15 hours behind AEST (Australian Eastern Standard Time). The exact difference can change when one or both zones transition into or out of daylight saving time.
Does AEST or CST observe daylight saving time?+
AEST: observes daylight saving time. CST: observes daylight saving time.
When is the best time to schedule a meeting between AEST and CST?+
Standard 9-5 hours do not overlap. Extending to 8am-7pm gives a window of 08:00–09:00 AEST (17:00–18:00 CST).
What time is it in Chicago when it is 12:00 noon in Sydney?+
When it is 12:00 Sat in Sydney (AEST), it is 21:00 Fri in Chicago (CST).
Which IANA time zone identifiers are used for AEST and CST?+
AEST maps to "Australia/Sydney" in the IANA database. CST maps to "America/Chicago". These identifiers are what most software libraries use to convert times accurately, including DST handling.
Is Sydney ahead of or behind Chicago?+
Whether Sydney (AEST) is ahead of or behind Chicago (CST) depends on the current UTC offsets. Right now CST is 15 hours behind AEST. The live converter and side-by-side clocks above always reflect the current direction.
What are the current UTC offsets for AEST and CST?+
AEST is UTC+10:00 (GMT+10) and CST is UTC-05:00 (CDT). Both offsets shift by one hour when the corresponding region enters or exits daylight saving time, so the live values on this page are the source of truth.
Can I schedule meetings during business hours for both AEST and CST?+
Not during a strict 9am-5pm window. If both sides flex to 8am-7pm, the available meeting window between AEST and CST is 08:00–09:00 AEST.