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

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 Time
Central Standard Time

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
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)
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Which is (CST)
5:00 AM - 112:00 PM
Both parties in business hours
Optimal overlap window
Ideal for international teams

Pro Tip: Schedule calls during the overlap window for optimal convenience for both time zones

Complete CET to CST Conversion Table

CET TimeCST TimeContext
12:00 AM05:00 PM
Midnight CET
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+1 (CET) / UTC+2 (CEST)
Representative City:

Paris

IANA Identifier:

Europe/Paris

Central Standard Time (CST)

UTC-6
UTC-6 (CST) / UTC-5 (CDT)
Representative City:

Chicago

IANA Identifier:

America/Chicago

Quick Reference

Time Difference: CST is 7 hours behind CET
Note: Time difference may vary during daylight saving transitions
UTC Offsets: CET = UTC+1 (CET) / UTC+2 (CEST), CST = UTC-6 (CST) / UTC-5 (CDT)
2025 DST (North America): Starts March 9 at 2:00 AM, Ends November 2 at 2:00 AM

Frequently Asked Questions

CST (Central Standard Time) is 7 hours behind CET (Central European Time). This means when it's 12:00 PM in Paris (CET), it's 5:00 AM in Chicago (CST).

The best time to call from CET to CST is during overlapping business hours. For CET callers, schedule between 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM CET to ensure both parties are within standard business hours.

The time difference may change during daylight saving transitions if one region observes DST while the other doesn't. Central European Time (UTC+1 (CET) / UTC+2 (CEST)) and Central Standard Time (UTC-6 (CST) / UTC-5 (CDT)) may have different DST schedules.

CET includes cities like Paris. CST includes cities like Chicago. Both time zones cover important business and cultural centers.

In 2025, DST in North America starts on March 9 at 2:00 AM and ends on November 2 at 2:00 AM. Other regions may have different DST schedules or not observe DST at all.