CST to MST Time Converter

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

Chicago · Central Standard Time
15:55:25
Sunday, May 10, 2026
CDT · UTC-05:00
Denver · Mountain Standard Time
14:55:25
Sunday, May 10, 2026
MDT · UTC-06:00

Convert a specific time

From: CST (Chicago)
To: MST (Denver)
--:--

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
MST (Mountain Standard Time)
Observes DST
Yes
In DST right now
Yes
Next fall back
2026-11-01
Offset shift
UTC-06:00 → UTC-07:00

When can CST and MST 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
MST
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: 10:00–16:00 CST (09:00–15:00 MST).

Hour-by-hour CST to MST conversion table

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

Sun today in Chicago and Denver

Chicago
Sunrise
05:37
Sunset
19:59
Solar noon
12:48
Daylight
14h 22m
Denver
Sunrise
05:51
Sunset
20:03
Solar noon
12:57
Daylight
14h 12m

Related converters

MST to CST (reverse)CST to ESTCST to PSTCST to GMTCST to UTCCST to CETEST to MSTPST to MSTGMT to MSTUTC to MSTCET to MST
Looking for local time? See time in Chicago or time in Denver.

Frequently asked questions

What is the time difference between CST and MST right now?+
MST (Mountain Standard Time) is currently 1 hour behind 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 MST observe daylight saving time?+
CST: observes daylight saving time. MST: observes daylight saving time.
When is the best time to schedule a meeting between CST and MST?+
The strongest overlap is 10:00–16:00 CST (09:00–15:00 MST), giving 7 hours when both sides are within standard 9am-5pm working hours.
What time is it in Denver when it is 12:00 noon in Chicago?+
When it is 12:00 Sun in Chicago (CST), it is 11:00 Sun in Denver (MST).
Which IANA time zone identifiers are used for CST and MST?+
CST maps to "America/Chicago" in the IANA database. MST maps to "America/Denver". These identifiers are what most software libraries use to convert times accurately, including DST handling.
Is Chicago ahead of or behind Denver?+
Whether Chicago (CST) is ahead of or behind Denver (MST) depends on the current UTC offsets. Right now MST is 1 hour behind CST. The live converter and side-by-side clocks above always reflect the current direction.
What are the current UTC offsets for CST and MST?+
CST is UTC-05:00 (CDT) and MST is UTC-06:00 (MDT). 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 MST?+
Yes. There are 7 hours of overlap during standard 9am-5pm working hours, with the strongest window at 10:00–16:00 CST.