CT to CET Time Converter

Convert Central Time (CT) to Central European Time (CET). Both time zones are shown live below; current offset between them is 7 hours ahead.

Chicago · Central Time
01:10:55
Monday, May 11, 2026
CDT · UTC-05:00
Paris · Central European Time
08:10:55
Monday, May 11, 2026
GMT+2 · UTC+02:00

Convert a specific time

From: CT (Chicago)
To: CET (Paris)
--:--

Daylight Saving status right now

CT (Central Time)
Observes DST
Yes
In DST right now
Yes
Next fall back
2026-11-01
Offset shift
UTC-05:00 → UTC-06:00
CET (Central European Time)
Observes DST
Yes
In DST right now
Yes
Next fall back
2026-10-25
Offset shift
UTC+02:00 → UTC+01:00

When can CT and CET 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
CT
CET
Both zones in working hours (9am-5pm)
One zone working
Off-hours
Columns are hours of the day in Chicago (CT). Each row shows the local working-hours state in that zone for the same moment in time.
1 hour of overlap during standard 9am-5pm working hours.
Best meeting window: 09:00–09:00 CT (16:00–16:00 CET).

Hour-by-hour CT to CET conversion table

CT time (Chicago)CET time (Paris)Status
00:00 Mon07:00 MonOff-hours both sides
01:00 Mon08:00 MonOff-hours both sides
02:00 Mon09:00 MonCET working
03:00 Mon10:00 MonCET working
04:00 Mon11:00 MonCET working
05:00 Mon12:00 MonCET working
06:00 Mon13:00 MonCET working
07:00 Mon14:00 MonCET working
08:00 Mon15:00 MonCET working
09:00 Mon16:00 MonBoth at work
10:00 Mon17:00 MonCT working
11:00 Mon18:00 MonCT working
12:00 Mon19:00 MonCT working
13:00 Mon20:00 MonCT working
14:00 Mon21:00 MonCT working
15:00 Mon22:00 MonCT working
16:00 Mon23:00 MonCT working
17:00 Mon00:00 TueOff-hours both sides
18:00 Mon01:00 TueOff-hours both sides
19:00 Mon02:00 TueOff-hours both sides
20:00 Mon03:00 TueOff-hours both sides
21:00 Mon04:00 TueOff-hours both sides
22:00 Mon05:00 TueOff-hours both sides
23:00 Mon06:00 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 Time (CT)
IANA identifier
America/Chicago
Current UTC offset
UTC-05:00
Current abbreviation
CDT
Major cities in this zone
ChicagoHoustonDallasAustinNew Orleans
Central European Time (CET)
IANA identifier
Europe/Paris
Current UTC offset
UTC+02:00
Current abbreviation
GMT+2
Major cities in this zone
ParisLyonMarseille

Sun today in Chicago and Paris

Chicago
Sunrise
05:35
Sunset
20:00
Solar noon
12:48
Daylight
14h 24m
Paris
Sunrise
06:16
Sunset
21:20
Solar noon
13:48
Daylight
15h 4m

Related converters

CET to CT (reverse)CT to ESTCT to PSTCT to GMTCT to UTCCT to ISTEST to CETPST to CETGMT to CETUTC to CETIST to CET
Looking for local time? See time in Chicago or time in Paris.

Frequently asked questions

What is the time difference between CT and CET right now?+
CET (Central European Time) is currently 7 hours ahead CT (Central Time). The exact difference can change when one or both zones transition into or out of daylight saving time.
Does CT or CET observe daylight saving time?+
CT: observes daylight saving time. CET: observes daylight saving time.
When is the best time to schedule a meeting between CT and CET?+
The strongest overlap is 09:00–09:00 CT (16:00–16:00 CET), giving 1 hour when both sides are within standard 9am-5pm working hours.
What time is it in Paris when it is 12:00 noon in Chicago?+
When it is 12:00 Mon in Chicago (CT), it is 19:00 Mon in Paris (CET).
Which IANA time zone identifiers are used for CT and CET?+
CT maps to "America/Chicago" in the IANA database. CET maps to "Europe/Paris". These identifiers are what most software libraries use to convert times accurately, including DST handling.
Is Chicago ahead of or behind Paris?+
Whether Chicago (CT) is ahead of or behind Paris (CET) depends on the current UTC offsets. Right now CET is 7 hours ahead CT. The live converter and side-by-side clocks above always reflect the current direction.
What are the current UTC offsets for CT and CET?+
CT is UTC-05:00 (CDT) and CET is UTC+02:00 (GMT+2). 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 CT and CET?+
Yes. There are 1 hour of overlap during standard 9am-5pm working hours, with the strongest window at 09:00–09:00 CT.