CST to MXCT Time Converter

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

Chicago · Central Standard Time
21:16:53
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
CDT · UTC-05:00
Mexico City · Mexico City Time
20:16:53
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
CST · UTC-06:00

Convert a specific time

From: CST (Chicago)
To: MXCT (Mexico City)
--:--

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
MXCT (Mexico City Time)
Observes DST
No

Heads up: CST observes DST while MXCT does not. The 1-hour difference shown above will shift by one hour when CST starts or ends DST.

When can CST and MXCT 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
MXCT
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 MXCT).

Hour-by-hour CST to MXCT conversion table

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

Sun today in Chicago and Mexico City

Chicago
Sunrise
05:34
Sunset
20:01
Solar noon
12:48
Daylight
14h 26m
Mexico City
Sunrise
06:03
Sunset
19:04
Solar noon
12:34
Daylight
13h 0m

Related converters

MXCT to CST (reverse)CST to ESTCST to PSTCST to GMTCST to UTCCST to CETEST to MXCTPST to MXCTGMT to MXCTUTC to MXCTCET to MXCT
Looking for local time? See time in Chicago or time in Mexico City.

Frequently asked questions

What is the time difference between CST and MXCT right now?+
MXCT (Mexico City 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 MXCT observe daylight saving time?+
CST: observes daylight saving time. MXCT: does not observe daylight saving time.
When is the best time to schedule a meeting between CST and MXCT?+
The strongest overlap is 10:00–16:00 CST (09:00–15:00 MXCT), giving 7 hours when both sides are within standard 9am-5pm working hours.
What time is it in Mexico City when it is 12:00 noon in Chicago?+
When it is 12:00 Tue in Chicago (CST), it is 11:00 Tue in Mexico City (MXCT).
Which IANA time zone identifiers are used for CST and MXCT?+
CST maps to "America/Chicago" in the IANA database. MXCT maps to "America/Mexico_City". These identifiers are what most software libraries use to convert times accurately, including DST handling.
Is Chicago ahead of or behind Mexico City?+
Whether Chicago (CST) is ahead of or behind Mexico City (MXCT) depends on the current UTC offsets. Right now MXCT 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 MXCT?+
CST is UTC-05:00 (CDT) and MXCT is UTC-06:00 (CST). 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 MXCT?+
Yes. There are 7 hours of overlap during standard 9am-5pm working hours, with the strongest window at 10:00–16:00 CST.