CDT to CET Time Converter

Convert Central Daylight Time (CDT) to Central European Time (CET). Both time zones are shown live below; current offset between them is 7 hours ahead.

Chicago · Central Daylight Time
07:27:50
Monday, May 11, 2026
CDT · UTC-05:00
Paris · Central European Time
14:27:50
Monday, May 11, 2026
GMT+2 · UTC+02:00

Convert a specific time

From: CDT (Chicago)
To: CET (Paris)
--:--

Daylight Saving status right now

CDT (Central Daylight Time)
Observes DST
Yes
In DST right now
Yes
Next fall back
2026-11-01
Offset shift
UTC-05:00 → UTC-06:00
CET (Central European Time)
Observes DST
Yes
In DST right now
Yes
Next fall back
2026-10-25
Offset shift
UTC+02:00 → UTC+01:00

When can CDT and CET 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
CDT
CET
Both zones in working hours (9am-5pm)
One zone working
Off-hours
Columns are hours of the day in Chicago (CDT). Each row shows the local working-hours state in that zone for the same moment in time.
1 hour of overlap during standard 9am-5pm working hours.
Best meeting window: 09:00–09:00 CDT (16:00–16:00 CET).

Hour-by-hour CDT to CET conversion table

CDT time (Chicago)CET time (Paris)Status
00:00 Mon07:00 MonOff-hours both sides
01:00 Mon08:00 MonOff-hours both sides
02:00 Mon09:00 MonCET working
03:00 Mon10:00 MonCET working
04:00 Mon11:00 MonCET working
05:00 Mon12:00 MonCET working
06:00 Mon13:00 MonCET working
07:00 Mon14:00 MonCET working
08:00 Mon15:00 MonCET working
09:00 Mon16:00 MonBoth at work
10:00 Mon17:00 MonCDT working
11:00 Mon18:00 MonCDT working
12:00 Mon19:00 MonCDT working
13:00 Mon20:00 MonCDT working
14:00 Mon21:00 MonCDT working
15:00 Mon22:00 MonCDT working
16:00 Mon23:00 MonCDT working
17:00 Mon00:00 TueOff-hours both sides
18:00 Mon01:00 TueOff-hours both sides
19:00 Mon02:00 TueOff-hours both sides
20:00 Mon03:00 TueOff-hours both sides
21:00 Mon04:00 TueOff-hours both sides
22:00 Mon05:00 TueOff-hours both sides
23:00 Mon06:00 TueOff-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

Central Daylight Time (CDT)
IANA identifier
America/Chicago
Current UTC offset
UTC-05:00
Current abbreviation
CDT
Major cities in this zone
ChicagoHoustonDallasAustinNew Orleans
Central European Time (CET)
IANA identifier
Europe/Paris
Current UTC offset
UTC+02:00
Current abbreviation
GMT+2
Major cities in this zone
ParisLyonMarseille

Sun today in Chicago and Paris

Chicago
Sunrise
05:35
Sunset
20:00
Solar noon
12:48
Daylight
14h 24m
Paris
Sunrise
06:16
Sunset
21:20
Solar noon
13:48
Daylight
15h 4m

Related converters

CET to CDT (reverse)CDT to ESTCDT to PSTCDT to GMTCDT to UTCCDT to ISTEST to CETPST to CETGMT to CETUTC to CETIST to CET
Looking for local time? See time in Chicago or time in Paris.

Frequently asked questions

What is the time difference between CDT and CET right now?+
CET (Central European Time) is currently 7 hours ahead CDT (Central Daylight Time). The exact difference can change when one or both zones transition into or out of daylight saving time.
Does CDT or CET observe daylight saving time?+
CDT: observes daylight saving time. CET: observes daylight saving time.
When is the best time to schedule a meeting between CDT and CET?+
The strongest overlap is 09:00–09:00 CDT (16:00–16:00 CET), giving 1 hour when both sides are within standard 9am-5pm working hours.
What time is it in Paris when it is 12:00 noon in Chicago?+
When it is 12:00 Mon in Chicago (CDT), it is 19:00 Mon in Paris (CET).
Which IANA time zone identifiers are used for CDT and CET?+
CDT maps to "America/Chicago" in the IANA database. CET maps to "Europe/Paris". These identifiers are what most software libraries use to convert times accurately, including DST handling.
Is Chicago ahead of or behind Paris?+
Whether Chicago (CDT) is ahead of or behind Paris (CET) depends on the current UTC offsets. Right now CET is 7 hours ahead CDT. The live converter and side-by-side clocks above always reflect the current direction.
What are the current UTC offsets for CDT and CET?+
CDT is UTC-05:00 (CDT) and CET is UTC+02:00 (GMT+2). 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 CDT and CET?+
Yes. There are 1 hour of overlap during standard 9am-5pm working hours, with the strongest window at 09:00–09:00 CDT.