CST to CET Time Converter

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

Chicago · Central Standard Time
15:55:25
Sunday, May 10, 2026
CDT · UTC-05:00
Paris · Central European Time
22:55:25
Sunday, May 10, 2026
GMT+2 · UTC+02:00

Convert a specific time

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

Daylight Saving status right now

CST (Central Standard Time)
Observes DST
Yes
In DST right now
Yes
Next fall back
2026-11-01
Offset shift
UTC-05:00 → UTC-06:00
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

When can CST and CET 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
CST
CET
Both zones in working hours (9am-5pm)
One zone working
Off-hours
Columns are hours of the day in Chicago (CST). 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: 09:00–09:00 CST (16:00–16:00 CET).

Hour-by-hour CST to CET conversion table

CST time (Chicago)CET time (Paris)Status
00:00 Sun07:00 SunOff-hours both sides
01:00 Sun08:00 SunOff-hours both sides
02:00 Sun09:00 SunCET working
03:00 Sun10:00 SunCET working
04:00 Sun11:00 SunCET working
05:00 Sun12:00 SunCET working
06:00 Sun13:00 SunCET working
07:00 Sun14:00 SunCET working
08:00 Sun15:00 SunCET working
09:00 Sun16:00 SunBoth at work
10:00 Sun17:00 SunCST working
11:00 Sun18:00 SunCST working
12:00 Sun19:00 SunCST working
13:00 Sun20:00 SunCST working
14:00 Sun21:00 SunCST working
15:00 Sun22:00 SunCST working
16:00 Sun23:00 SunCST working
17:00 Sun00:00 MonOff-hours both sides
18:00 Sun01:00 MonOff-hours both sides
19:00 Sun02:00 MonOff-hours both sides
20:00 Sun03:00 MonOff-hours both sides
21:00 Sun04:00 MonOff-hours both sides
22:00 Sun05:00 MonOff-hours both sides
23:00 Sun06:00 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 Standard Time (CST)
IANA identifier
America/Chicago
Current UTC offset
UTC-05:00
Current abbreviation
CDT
Major cities in this zone
ChicagoHoustonDallasAustinNew Orleans
Central European Time (CET)
IANA identifier
Europe/Paris
Current UTC offset
UTC+02:00
Current abbreviation
GMT+2
Major cities in this zone
ParisLyonMarseille

Sun today in Chicago and Paris

Chicago
Sunrise
05:37
Sunset
19:59
Solar noon
12:48
Daylight
14h 22m
Paris
Sunrise
06:17
Sunset
21:19
Solar noon
13:48
Daylight
15h 1m

Related converters

CET to CST (reverse)CST to ESTCST to PSTCST to GMTCST to UTCCST to ISTEST to CETPST to CETGMT to CETUTC to CETIST to CET
Looking for local time? See time in Chicago or time in Paris.

Frequently asked questions

What is the time difference between CST and CET right now?+
CET (Central European Time) is currently 7 hours ahead CST (Central Standard Time). The exact difference can change when one or both zones transition into or out of daylight saving time.
Does CST or CET observe daylight saving time?+
CST: observes daylight saving time. CET: observes daylight saving time.
When is the best time to schedule a meeting between CST and CET?+
The strongest overlap is 09:00–09:00 CST (16:00–16:00 CET), giving 1 hour when both sides are within standard 9am-5pm working hours.
What time is it in Paris when it is 12:00 noon in Chicago?+
When it is 12:00 Sun in Chicago (CST), it is 19:00 Sun in Paris (CET).
Which IANA time zone identifiers are used for CST and CET?+
CST maps to "America/Chicago" in the IANA database. CET maps to "Europe/Paris". These identifiers are what most software libraries use to convert times accurately, including DST handling.
Is Chicago ahead of or behind Paris?+
Whether Chicago (CST) is ahead of or behind Paris (CET) depends on the current UTC offsets. Right now CET is 7 hours ahead CST. The live converter and side-by-side clocks above always reflect the current direction.
What are the current UTC offsets for CST and CET?+
CST is UTC-05:00 (CDT) and CET is UTC+02:00 (GMT+2). 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 CST and CET?+
Yes. There are 1 hour of overlap during standard 9am-5pm working hours, with the strongest window at 09:00–09:00 CST.