CST to EST Time Converter

Convert Central Standard Time (CST) to Eastern Standard Time (EST). Both time zones are shown live below; current offset between them is 1 hour ahead.

Chicago · Central Standard Time
15:55:25
Sunday, May 10, 2026
CDT · UTC-05:00
New York · Eastern Standard Time
16:55:25
Sunday, May 10, 2026
EDT · UTC-04:00

Convert a specific time

From: CST (Chicago)
To: EST (New York)
--:--

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
EST (Eastern Standard Time)
Observes DST
Yes
In DST right now
Yes
Next fall back
2026-11-01
Offset shift
UTC-04:00 → UTC-05:00

When can CST and EST 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
EST
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.
7 hours of overlap during standard 9am-5pm working hours.
Best meeting window: 09:00–15:00 CST (10:00–16:00 EST).

Hour-by-hour CST to EST conversion table

CST time (Chicago)EST time (New York)Status
00:00 Sun01:00 SunOff-hours both sides
01:00 Sun02:00 SunOff-hours both sides
02:00 Sun03:00 SunOff-hours both sides
03:00 Sun04:00 SunOff-hours both sides
04:00 Sun05:00 SunOff-hours both sides
05:00 Sun06:00 SunOff-hours both sides
06:00 Sun07:00 SunOff-hours both sides
07:00 Sun08:00 SunOff-hours both sides
08:00 Sun09:00 SunEST working
09:00 Sun10:00 SunBoth at work
10:00 Sun11:00 SunBoth at work
11:00 Sun12:00 SunBoth at work
12:00 Sun13:00 SunBoth at work
13:00 Sun14:00 SunBoth at work
14:00 Sun15:00 SunBoth at work
15:00 Sun16:00 SunBoth at work
16:00 Sun17:00 SunCST working
17:00 Sun18:00 SunOff-hours both sides
18:00 Sun19:00 SunOff-hours both sides
19:00 Sun20:00 SunOff-hours both sides
20:00 Sun21:00 SunOff-hours both sides
21:00 Sun22:00 SunOff-hours both sides
22:00 Sun23:00 SunOff-hours both sides
23:00 Sun00:00 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
Eastern Standard Time (EST)
IANA identifier
America/New_York
Current UTC offset
UTC-04:00
Current abbreviation
EDT
Major cities in this zone
New YorkMiamiAtlantaBostonPhiladelphia

Sun today in Chicago and New York

Chicago
Sunrise
05:37
Sunset
19:59
Solar noon
12:48
Daylight
14h 22m
New York
Sunrise
05:45
Sunset
20:02
Solar noon
12:53
Daylight
14h 16m

Related converters

EST to CST (reverse)CST to PSTCST to GMTCST to UTCCST to CETCST to ISTPST to ESTGMT to ESTUTC to ESTCET to ESTIST to EST
Looking for local time? See time in Chicago or time in New York.

Frequently asked questions

What is the time difference between CST and EST right now?+
EST (Eastern Standard Time) is currently 1 hour 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 EST observe daylight saving time?+
CST: observes daylight saving time. EST: observes daylight saving time.
When is the best time to schedule a meeting between CST and EST?+
The strongest overlap is 09:00–15:00 CST (10:00–16:00 EST), giving 7 hours when both sides are within standard 9am-5pm working hours.
What time is it in New York when it is 12:00 noon in Chicago?+
When it is 12:00 Sun in Chicago (CST), it is 13:00 Sun in New York (EST).
Which IANA time zone identifiers are used for CST and EST?+
CST maps to "America/Chicago" in the IANA database. EST maps to "America/New_York". These identifiers are what most software libraries use to convert times accurately, including DST handling.
Is Chicago ahead of or behind New York?+
Whether Chicago (CST) is ahead of or behind New York (EST) depends on the current UTC offsets. Right now EST is 1 hour 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 EST?+
CST is UTC-05:00 (CDT) and EST is UTC-04:00 (EDT). 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 EST?+
Yes. There are 7 hours of overlap during standard 9am-5pm working hours, with the strongest window at 09:00–15:00 CST.