CST to KST Time Converter

Convert Central Standard Time (CST) to Korea Standard Time (KST). Both time zones are shown live below; current offset between them is 14 hours ahead.

Chicago · Central Standard Time
11:56:40
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
CDT · UTC-05:00
Seoul · Korea Standard Time
01:56:40
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
GMT+9 · UTC+09:00

Convert a specific time

From: CST (Chicago)
To: KST (Seoul)
--:--

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
KST (Korea Standard Time)
Observes DST
No

Heads up: CST observes DST while KST does not. The 14-hour difference shown above will shift by one hour when CST starts or ends DST.

When can CST and KST 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
KST
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.
No overlap during strict 9-5 working hours; some flexibility needed.
If both sides are willing to extend to 8am-7pm, the available window is 18:00–18:00 CST (08:00–08:00 KST).

Hour-by-hour CST to KST conversion table

CST time (Chicago)KST time (Seoul)Status
00:00 Tue14:00 TueKST working
01:00 Tue15:00 TueKST working
02:00 Tue16:00 TueKST working
03:00 Tue17:00 TueOff-hours both sides
04:00 Tue18:00 TueOff-hours both sides
05:00 Tue19:00 TueOff-hours both sides
06:00 Tue20:00 TueOff-hours both sides
07:00 Tue21:00 TueOff-hours both sides
08:00 Tue22:00 TueOff-hours both sides
09:00 Tue23:00 TueCST working
10:00 Tue00:00 WedCST working
11:00 Tue01:00 WedCST working
12:00 Tue02:00 WedCST working
13:00 Tue03:00 WedCST working
14:00 Tue04:00 WedCST working
15:00 Tue05:00 WedCST working
16:00 Tue06:00 WedCST working
17:00 Tue07:00 WedOff-hours both sides
18:00 Tue08:00 WedOff-hours both sides
19:00 Tue09:00 WedKST working
20:00 Tue10:00 WedKST working
21:00 Tue11:00 WedKST working
22:00 Tue12:00 WedKST working
23:00 Tue13:00 WedKST 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 Standard Time (CST)
IANA identifier
America/Chicago
Current UTC offset
UTC-05:00
Current abbreviation
CDT
Major cities in this zone
ChicagoHoustonDallasAustinNew Orleans
Korea Standard Time (KST)
IANA identifier
Asia/Seoul
Current UTC offset
UTC+09:00
Current abbreviation
GMT+9
Major cities in this zone
SeoulBusan

Sun today in Chicago and Seoul

Chicago
Sunrise
05:34
Sunset
20:01
Solar noon
12:48
Daylight
14h 26m
Seoul
Sunrise
05:26
Sunset
19:33
Solar noon
12:29
Daylight
14h 6m

Related converters

KST to CST (reverse)CST to ESTCST to PSTCST to GMTCST to UTCCST to CETEST to KSTPST to KSTGMT to KSTUTC to KSTCET to KST
Looking for local time? See time in Chicago or time in Seoul.

Frequently asked questions

What is the time difference between CST and KST right now?+
KST (Korea Standard Time) is currently 14 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 KST observe daylight saving time?+
CST: observes daylight saving time. KST: does not observe daylight saving time.
When is the best time to schedule a meeting between CST and KST?+
Standard 9-5 hours do not overlap. Extending to 8am-7pm gives a window of 18:00–18:00 CST (08:00–08:00 KST).
What time is it in Seoul when it is 12:00 noon in Chicago?+
When it is 12:00 Tue in Chicago (CST), it is 02:00 Wed in Seoul (KST).
Which IANA time zone identifiers are used for CST and KST?+
CST maps to "America/Chicago" in the IANA database. KST maps to "Asia/Seoul". These identifiers are what most software libraries use to convert times accurately, including DST handling.
Is Chicago ahead of or behind Seoul?+
Whether Chicago (CST) is ahead of or behind Seoul (KST) depends on the current UTC offsets. Right now KST is 14 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 KST?+
CST is UTC-05:00 (CDT) and KST is UTC+09:00 (GMT+9). 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 KST?+
Not during a strict 9am-5pm window. If both sides flex to 8am-7pm, the available meeting window between CST and KST is 18:00–18:00 CST.