CET to CST Time Converter

Convert Central European Time to Central Standard Time - Quick & Accurate

Paris (CET)
Chicago (CST)
CST is 7 hours behind CET (6 during daylight time)

Quick Time Conversion

Paris
Central European Time
UTC+1 (CET) / UTC+2 (CEST)
Chicago
Central Standard Time
UTC-6 (CST) / UTC-5 (CDT)

Current Time Right Now

Central European (CET/CEST)
Central (CST/CDT)

Updates live every second

24-Hour Visual Comparison

CET (Paris)
12am CET
1am CET
2am CET
3am CET
4am CET
5am CET
6am CET
7am CET
8am CET
9am CET
10am CET
11am CET
12pm CET
1pm CET
2pm CET
3pm CET
4pm CET
5pm CET
6pm CET
7pm CET
8pm CET
9pm CET
10pm CET
11pm CET
12a6a12p6p12a
CST (Chicago)
5pm CST
6pm CST
7pm CST
8pm CST
9pm CST
10pm CST
11pm CST
12am CST
1am CST
2am CST
3am CST
4am CST
5am CST
6am CST
7am CST
8am CST
9am CST
10am CST
11am CST
12pm CST
1pm CST
2pm CST
3pm CST
4pm CST
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Business Hours (9AM-5PM)
Evening (5PM-9PM)
Night (9PM-6AM)

Hover over any hour to see corresponding time in both zones

Best Time for Meeting/Call

To schedule a meeting between CET and CST:

Best Window (CET)
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Which is (CST)
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Both parties in business hours
3-hour overlap window
Ideal for transatlantic teams

Pro Tip: Schedule calls between 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM CET for maximum overlap with CST business hours

Complete CET to CST Conversion Table

CET TimeCST TimeContext
12:00 AM05:00 PM
Midnight Europe
01:00 AM06:00 PM
Late Night
02:00 AM07:00 PM
Late Night
03:00 AM08:00 PM
Late Night
04:00 AM09:00 PM
Late Night
05:00 AM10:00 PM
Late Night
06:00 AM11:00 PM
Early Morning CET
07:00 AM12:00 AM
Night Time
08:00 AM01:00 AM
Night Time
09:00 AM02:00 AM
Work Starts CET
10:00 AM03:00 AM
Night Time
11:00 AM04:00 AM
Night Time

Central European Time (CET)

UTC+1
UTC+2 during CEST
Major Cities:
  • • Paris
  • • Berlin
  • • Rome
  • • Madrid
  • • Brussels
Daylight Saving:

CEST (UTC+2) from March to October

IANA Identifier:

Europe/Paris

Central Standard Time (CST)

UTC-6
UTC-5 during CDT
Major Cities:
  • • Chicago
  • • Houston
  • • Dallas
  • • San Antonio
  • • Austin
Daylight Saving:

CDT (UTC-5) from March to November

IANA Identifier:

America/Chicago

Central European Time (CET) vs Central Standard Time (CST)

Central European Time (CET)Central Standard Time (CST)

Central European Time (CET) is 1 hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+1). During daylight saving time, the region observes Central European Summer Time (CEST), which is UTC+2.

Central Standard Time (CST) is 6 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-6). During daylight saving time, the region observes Central Daylight Time (CDT), which is UTC-5.

Key Facts

  • UTC Offset: UTC+1 (CET) / UTC+2 (CEST)
  • Region: Central Europe
  • Known For: Major European business centers
  • Largest Cities: Paris (2.2M), Berlin (3.6M), Madrid (3.3M)
  • Daylight Saving: Begins last Sunday in March, ends last Sunday in October
  • UTC Offset: UTC-6 (CST) / UTC-5 (CDT)
  • Region: Central United States and parts of Canada
  • Known For: Major US business and industrial hubs
  • Largest Cities: Chicago (2.7M), Houston (2.3M), Dallas (1.3M)
  • Coverage: Approximately 25% of US population
  • Daylight Saving: Begins 2nd Sunday in March, ends 1st Sunday in November

Quick Reference

Time Difference: CST is 7 hours behind CET (6 hours during daylight time)
DST Variation: The difference varies because Europe and North America change clocks on different dates
Distance: Approximately 4,500 miles between Paris and Chicago
UTC Offsets: CET = UTC+1, CST = UTC-6 | CEST = UTC+2, CDT = UTC-5 (during DST)

Frequently Asked Questions

CST (Central Standard Time) is 7 hours behind CET (Central European Time). During daylight saving time, when CET becomes CEST and CST becomes CDT, CST is 6 hours behind. This means when it's 3:00 PM in Paris (CET), it's 8:00 AM in Chicago (CST).

The best time to call from CET to CST is between 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM CET, which corresponds to 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM CST. This ensures both parties are within standard business hours.

Yes, the time difference can vary because Europe and North America change their clocks on different dates. Typically CST is 7 hours behind CET, but during the brief periods when only one region has switched to daylight time, the difference is 6 hours.

CET cities include Paris, Berlin, Rome, Madrid, and Brussels. CST cities include Chicago, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin.

In Europe, DST typically starts on the last Sunday in March and ends on the last Sunday in October. In the US, DST starts on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November.