CST to UTC Time Converter

Convert Central Standard Time (CST) to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Both time zones are shown live below; current offset between them is 5 hours ahead.

Chicago · Central Standard Time
15:55:25
Sunday, May 10, 2026
CDT · UTC-05:00
UTC · Coordinated Universal Time
20:55:25
Sunday, May 10, 2026
UTC · UTC+00:00

Convert a specific time

From: CST (Chicago)
To: UTC (UTC)
--:--

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
UTC (Coordinated Universal Time)
Observes DST
No

Heads up: CST observes DST while UTC does not. The 5-hour difference shown above will shift by one hour when CST starts or ends DST.

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

Hour-by-hour CST to UTC conversion table

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

Sun today in Chicago and UTC

Chicago
Sunrise
05:37
Sunset
19:59
Solar noon
12:48
Daylight
14h 22m

Related converters

UTC to CST (reverse)CST to ESTCST to PSTCST to GMTCST to CETCST to ISTEST to UTCPST to UTCGMT to UTCCET to UTCIST to UTC
Looking for local time? See time in Chicago or time in UTC.

Frequently asked questions

What is the time difference between CST and UTC right now?+
UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) is currently 5 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 UTC observe daylight saving time?+
CST: observes daylight saving time. UTC: does not observe daylight saving time.
When is the best time to schedule a meeting between CST and UTC?+
The strongest overlap is 09:00–11:00 CST (14:00–16:00 UTC), giving 3 hours when both sides are within standard 9am-5pm working hours.
What time is it in UTC when it is 12:00 noon in Chicago?+
When it is 12:00 Sun in Chicago (CST), it is 17:00 Sun in UTC (UTC).
Which IANA time zone identifiers are used for CST and UTC?+
CST maps to "America/Chicago" in the IANA database. UTC maps to "UTC". These identifiers are what most software libraries use to convert times accurately, including DST handling.
Is Chicago ahead of or behind UTC?+
Whether Chicago (CST) is ahead of or behind UTC (UTC) depends on the current UTC offsets. Right now UTC is 5 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 UTC?+
CST is UTC-05:00 (CDT) and UTC is UTC+00:00 (UTC). 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 UTC?+
Yes. There are 3 hours of overlap during standard 9am-5pm working hours, with the strongest window at 09:00–11:00 CST.