CET to CDT Time Converter

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

Paris · Central European Time
00:08:50
Thursday, May 7, 2026
GMT+2 · UTC+02:00
Chicago · Central Daylight Time
17:08:50
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
CDT · UTC-05:00

Convert a specific time

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

Daylight Saving status right now

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
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

When can CET and CDT meet?

1 hour of overlap during standard 9am-5pm working hours.
Best meeting window: 16:00–16:00 CET (09:00–09:00 CDT).

Hour-by-hour CET to CDT conversion table

CET time (Paris)CDT time (Chicago)Status
00:00 Thu17:00 WedOff-hours both sides
01:00 Thu18:00 WedOff-hours both sides
02:00 Thu19:00 WedOff-hours both sides
03:00 Thu20:00 WedOff-hours both sides
04:00 Thu21:00 WedOff-hours both sides
05:00 Thu22:00 WedOff-hours both sides
06:00 Thu23:00 WedOff-hours both sides
07:00 Thu00:00 ThuOff-hours both sides
08:00 Thu01:00 ThuOff-hours both sides
09:00 Thu02:00 ThuCET working
10:00 Thu03:00 ThuCET working
11:00 Thu04:00 ThuCET working
12:00 Thu05:00 ThuCET working
13:00 Thu06:00 ThuCET working
14:00 Thu07:00 ThuCET working
15:00 Thu08:00 ThuCET working
16:00 Thu09:00 ThuBoth at work
17:00 Thu10:00 ThuCDT working
18:00 Thu11:00 ThuCDT working
19:00 Thu12:00 ThuCDT working
20:00 Thu13:00 ThuCDT working
21:00 Thu14:00 ThuCDT working
22:00 Thu15:00 ThuCDT working
23:00 Thu16:00 ThuCDT working

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

Sun today in Paris and Chicago

Paris
Sunrise
06:23
Sunset
21:13
Solar noon
13:48
Daylight
14h 49m
Chicago
Sunrise
05:41
Sunset
19:55
Solar noon
12:48
Daylight
14h 13m

Related converters

CDT to CET (reverse)CET to ESTCET to PSTCET to GMTCET to UTCCET to ISTEST to CDTPST to CDTGMT to CDTUTC to CDTIST to CDT
Looking for local time? See time in Paris or time in Chicago.

Frequently asked questions

What is the time difference between CET and CDT right now?+
CDT (Central Daylight Time) is currently 7 hours behind CET (Central European Time). The exact difference can change when one or both zones transition into or out of daylight saving time.
Does CET or CDT observe daylight saving time?+
CET: observes daylight saving time. CDT: observes daylight saving time.
When is the best time to schedule a meeting between CET and CDT?+
The strongest overlap is 16:00–16:00 CET (09:00–09:00 CDT), giving 1 hour when both sides are within standard 9am-5pm working hours.
What time is it in Chicago when it is 12:00 noon in Paris?+
When it is 12:00 Thu in Paris (CET), it is 05:00 Thu in Chicago (CDT).
Which IANA time zone identifiers are used for CET and CDT?+
CET maps to "Europe/Paris" in the IANA database. CDT maps to "America/Chicago". These identifiers are what most software libraries use to convert times accurately, including DST handling.