CST to GFT Time Converter

Convert Central Standard Time (CST) to French Guiana Time (GFT). Both time zones are shown live below; current offset between them is 2 hours ahead.

Chicago · Central Standard Time
11:50:24
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
CDT · UTC-05:00
Cayenne · French Guiana Time
13:50:24
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
GMT-3 · UTC-03:00

Convert a specific time

From: CST (Chicago)
To: GFT (Cayenne)
--:--

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
GFT (French Guiana Time)
Observes DST
No

Heads up: CST observes DST while GFT does not. The 2-hour difference shown above will shift by one hour when CST starts or ends DST.

When can CST and GFT 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
GFT
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.
6 hours of overlap during standard 9am-5pm working hours.
Best meeting window: 09:00–14:00 CST (11:00–16:00 GFT).

Hour-by-hour CST to GFT conversion table

CST time (Chicago)GFT time (Cayenne)Status
00:00 Tue02:00 TueOff-hours both sides
01:00 Tue03:00 TueOff-hours both sides
02:00 Tue04:00 TueOff-hours both sides
03:00 Tue05:00 TueOff-hours both sides
04:00 Tue06:00 TueOff-hours both sides
05:00 Tue07:00 TueOff-hours both sides
06:00 Tue08:00 TueOff-hours both sides
07:00 Tue09:00 TueGFT working
08:00 Tue10:00 TueGFT working
09:00 Tue11:00 TueBoth at work
10:00 Tue12:00 TueBoth at work
11:00 Tue13:00 TueBoth at work
12:00 Tue14:00 TueBoth at work
13:00 Tue15:00 TueBoth at work
14:00 Tue16:00 TueBoth at work
15:00 Tue17:00 TueCST working
16:00 Tue18:00 TueCST working
17:00 Tue19:00 TueOff-hours both sides
18:00 Tue20:00 TueOff-hours both sides
19:00 Tue21:00 TueOff-hours both sides
20:00 Tue22:00 TueOff-hours both sides
21:00 Tue23:00 TueOff-hours both sides
22:00 Tue00:00 WedOff-hours both sides
23:00 Tue01:00 WedOff-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
French Guiana Time (GFT)
IANA identifier
America/Cayenne
Current UTC offset
UTC-03:00
Current abbreviation
GMT-3
Major cities in this zone
Cayenne

Sun today in Chicago and Cayenne

Chicago
Sunrise
05:34
Sunset
20:01
Solar noon
12:48
Daylight
14h 26m

Related converters

GFT to CST (reverse)CST to ESTCST to PSTCST to GMTCST to UTCCST to CETEST to GFTPST to GFTGMT to GFTUTC to GFTCET to GFT
Looking for local time? See time in Chicago or time in Cayenne.

Frequently asked questions

What is the time difference between CST and GFT right now?+
GFT (French Guiana Time) is currently 2 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 GFT observe daylight saving time?+
CST: observes daylight saving time. GFT: does not observe daylight saving time.
When is the best time to schedule a meeting between CST and GFT?+
The strongest overlap is 09:00–14:00 CST (11:00–16:00 GFT), giving 6 hours when both sides are within standard 9am-5pm working hours.
What time is it in Cayenne when it is 12:00 noon in Chicago?+
When it is 12:00 Tue in Chicago (CST), it is 14:00 Tue in Cayenne (GFT).
Which IANA time zone identifiers are used for CST and GFT?+
CST maps to "America/Chicago" in the IANA database. GFT maps to "America/Cayenne". These identifiers are what most software libraries use to convert times accurately, including DST handling.
Is Chicago ahead of or behind Cayenne?+
Whether Chicago (CST) is ahead of or behind Cayenne (GFT) depends on the current UTC offsets. Right now GFT is 2 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 GFT?+
CST is UTC-05:00 (CDT) and GFT is UTC-03:00 (GMT-3). 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 GFT?+
Yes. There are 6 hours of overlap during standard 9am-5pm working hours, with the strongest window at 09:00–14:00 CST.