CT to PST Time Converter

Convert Central Time (CT) to Pacific Standard Time (PST). Both time zones are shown live below; current offset between them is 2 hours behind.

Chicago · Central Time
18:08:11
Sunday, May 10, 2026
CDT · UTC-05:00
Los Angeles · Pacific Standard Time
16:08:11
Sunday, May 10, 2026
PDT · UTC-07:00

Convert a specific time

From: CT (Chicago)
To: PST (Los Angeles)
--:--

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
PST (Pacific Standard Time)
Observes DST
Yes
In DST right now
Yes
Next fall back
2026-11-01
Offset shift
UTC-07:00 → UTC-08:00

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

Hour-by-hour CT to PST conversion table

CT time (Chicago)PST time (Los Angeles)Status
00:00 Sun22:00 SatOff-hours both sides
01:00 Sun23:00 SatOff-hours both sides
02:00 Sun00:00 SunOff-hours both sides
03:00 Sun01:00 SunOff-hours both sides
04:00 Sun02:00 SunOff-hours both sides
05:00 Sun03:00 SunOff-hours both sides
06:00 Sun04:00 SunOff-hours both sides
07:00 Sun05:00 SunOff-hours both sides
08:00 Sun06:00 SunOff-hours both sides
09:00 Sun07:00 SunCT working
10:00 Sun08:00 SunCT working
11:00 Sun09:00 SunBoth at work
12:00 Sun10:00 SunBoth at work
13:00 Sun11:00 SunBoth at work
14:00 Sun12:00 SunBoth at work
15:00 Sun13:00 SunBoth at work
16:00 Sun14:00 SunBoth at work
17:00 Sun15:00 SunPST working
18:00 Sun16:00 SunPST working
19:00 Sun17:00 SunOff-hours both sides
20:00 Sun18:00 SunOff-hours both sides
21:00 Sun19:00 SunOff-hours both sides
22:00 Sun20:00 SunOff-hours both sides
23:00 Sun21:00 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 Time (CT)
IANA identifier
America/Chicago
Current UTC offset
UTC-05:00
Current abbreviation
CDT
Major cities in this zone
ChicagoHoustonDallasAustinNew Orleans
Pacific Standard Time (PST)
IANA identifier
America/Los_Angeles
Current UTC offset
UTC-07:00
Current abbreviation
PDT
Major cities in this zone
Los AngelesSan FranciscoSeattlePortlandSan Diego

Sun today in Chicago and Los Angeles

Chicago
Sunrise
05:37
Sunset
19:59
Solar noon
12:48
Daylight
14h 22m
Los Angeles
Sunrise
05:56
Sunset
19:44
Solar noon
12:50
Daylight
13h 48m

Related converters

PST to CT (reverse)CT to ESTCT to GMTCT to UTCCT to CETCT to ISTEST to PSTGMT to PSTUTC to PSTCET to PSTIST to PST
Looking for local time? See time in Chicago or time in Los Angeles.

Frequently asked questions

What is the time difference between CT and PST right now?+
PST (Pacific Standard Time) is currently 2 hours behind CT (Central Time). The exact difference can change when one or both zones transition into or out of daylight saving time.
Does CT or PST observe daylight saving time?+
CT: observes daylight saving time. PST: observes daylight saving time.
When is the best time to schedule a meeting between CT and PST?+
The strongest overlap is 11:00–16:00 CT (09:00–14:00 PST), giving 6 hours when both sides are within standard 9am-5pm working hours.
What time is it in Los Angeles when it is 12:00 noon in Chicago?+
When it is 12:00 Sun in Chicago (CT), it is 10:00 Sun in Los Angeles (PST).
Which IANA time zone identifiers are used for CT and PST?+
CT maps to "America/Chicago" in the IANA database. PST maps to "America/Los_Angeles". These identifiers are what most software libraries use to convert times accurately, including DST handling.
Is Chicago ahead of or behind Los Angeles?+
Whether Chicago (CT) is ahead of or behind Los Angeles (PST) depends on the current UTC offsets. Right now PST is 2 hours behind CT. The live converter and side-by-side clocks above always reflect the current direction.
What are the current UTC offsets for CT and PST?+
CT is UTC-05:00 (CDT) and PST is UTC-07:00 (PDT). 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 PST?+
Yes. There are 6 hours of overlap during standard 9am-5pm working hours, with the strongest window at 11:00–16:00 CT.