CET to CT Time Converter

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

Paris · Central European Time
08:11:03
Monday, May 11, 2026
GMT+2 · UTC+02:00
Chicago · Central Time
01:11:03
Monday, May 11, 2026
CDT · UTC-05:00

Convert a specific time

From: CET (Paris)
To: CT (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
CT (Central 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 CT 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
CET
CT
Both zones in working hours (9am-5pm)
One zone working
Off-hours
Columns are hours of the day in Paris (CET). 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: 16:00–16:00 CET (09:00–09:00 CT).

Hour-by-hour CET to CT conversion table

CET time (Paris)CT time (Chicago)Status
00:00 Mon17:00 SunOff-hours both sides
01:00 Mon18:00 SunOff-hours both sides
02:00 Mon19:00 SunOff-hours both sides
03:00 Mon20:00 SunOff-hours both sides
04:00 Mon21:00 SunOff-hours both sides
05:00 Mon22:00 SunOff-hours both sides
06:00 Mon23:00 SunOff-hours both sides
07:00 Mon00:00 MonOff-hours both sides
08:00 Mon01:00 MonOff-hours both sides
09:00 Mon02:00 MonCET working
10:00 Mon03:00 MonCET working
11:00 Mon04:00 MonCET working
12:00 Mon05:00 MonCET working
13:00 Mon06:00 MonCET working
14:00 Mon07:00 MonCET working
15:00 Mon08:00 MonCET working
16:00 Mon09:00 MonBoth at work
17:00 Mon10:00 MonCT working
18:00 Mon11:00 MonCT working
19:00 Mon12:00 MonCT working
20:00 Mon13:00 MonCT working
21:00 Mon14:00 MonCT working
22:00 Mon15:00 MonCT working
23:00 Mon16:00 MonCT 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 Time (CT)
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
06:16
Sunset
21:20
Solar noon
13:48
Daylight
15h 4m
Chicago
Sunrise
05:35
Sunset
20:00
Solar noon
12:48
Daylight
14h 24m

Related converters

CT to CET (reverse)CET to ESTCET to PSTCET to GMTCET to UTCCET to ISTEST to CTPST to CTGMT to CTUTC to CTIST to CT
Looking for local time? See time in Paris or time in Chicago.

Frequently asked questions

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