CDT to UTC Time Converter

Convert Central Daylight Time (CDT) to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Both time zones are shown live below; current offset between them is 5 hours ahead.

Chicago · Central Daylight Time
23:03:15
Sunday, May 10, 2026
CDT · UTC-05:00
UTC · Coordinated Universal Time
04:03:15
Monday, May 11, 2026
UTC · UTC+00:00

Convert a specific time

From: CDT (Chicago)
To: UTC (UTC)
--:--

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
UTC (Coordinated Universal Time)
Observes DST
No

Heads up: CDT observes DST while UTC does not. The 5-hour difference shown above will shift by one hour when CDT starts or ends DST.

When can CDT and UTC meet?

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CDT
UTC
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.
3 hours of overlap during standard 9am-5pm working hours.
Best meeting window: 09:00–11:00 CDT (14:00–16:00 UTC).

Hour-by-hour CDT to UTC conversion table

CDT time (Chicago)UTC time (UTC)Status
00:00 Sun05:00 SunOff-hours both sides
01:00 Sun06:00 SunOff-hours both sides
02:00 Sun07:00 SunOff-hours both sides
03:00 Sun08:00 SunOff-hours both sides
04:00 Sun09:00 SunUTC working
05:00 Sun10:00 SunUTC working
06:00 Sun11:00 SunUTC working
07:00 Sun12:00 SunUTC working
08:00 Sun13:00 SunUTC working
09:00 Sun14:00 SunBoth at work
10:00 Sun15:00 SunBoth at work
11:00 Sun16:00 SunBoth at work
12:00 Sun17:00 SunCDT working
13:00 Sun18:00 SunCDT working
14:00 Sun19:00 SunCDT working
15:00 Sun20:00 SunCDT working
16:00 Sun21:00 SunCDT working
17:00 Sun22:00 SunOff-hours both sides
18:00 Sun23:00 SunOff-hours both sides
19:00 Sun00:00 MonOff-hours both sides
20:00 Sun01:00 MonOff-hours both sides
21:00 Sun02:00 MonOff-hours both sides
22:00 Sun03:00 MonOff-hours both sides
23:00 Sun04:00 MonOff-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
Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)
IANA identifier
UTC
Current UTC offset
UTC+00:00
Current abbreviation
UTC
Major cities in this zone
UTC

Sun today in Chicago and UTC

Chicago
Sunrise
05:37
Sunset
19:59
Solar noon
12:48
Daylight
14h 22m

Related converters

UTC to CDT (reverse)CDT to ESTCDT to PSTCDT to GMTCDT to CETCDT to ISTEST to UTCPST to UTCGMT to UTCCET to UTCIST to UTC
Looking for local time? See time in Chicago or time in UTC.

Frequently asked questions

What is the time difference between CDT and UTC right now?+
UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) is currently 5 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 UTC observe daylight saving time?+
CDT: observes daylight saving time. UTC: does not observe daylight saving time.
When is the best time to schedule a meeting between CDT and UTC?+
The strongest overlap is 09:00–11:00 CDT (14:00–16:00 UTC), giving 3 hours when both sides are within standard 9am-5pm working hours.
What time is it in UTC when it is 12:00 noon in Chicago?+
When it is 12:00 Sun in Chicago (CDT), it is 17:00 Sun in UTC (UTC).
Which IANA time zone identifiers are used for CDT and UTC?+
CDT maps to "America/Chicago" in the IANA database. UTC maps to "UTC". These identifiers are what most software libraries use to convert times accurately, including DST handling.
Is Chicago ahead of or behind UTC?+
Whether Chicago (CDT) is ahead of or behind UTC (UTC) depends on the current UTC offsets. Right now UTC is 5 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 UTC?+
CDT is UTC-05:00 (CDT) and UTC is UTC+00:00 (UTC). 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 UTC?+
Yes. There are 3 hours of overlap during standard 9am-5pm working hours, with the strongest window at 09:00–11:00 CDT.