CT to PT Time Converter

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

Chicago · Central Time
21:06:08
Monday, May 11, 2026
CDT · UTC-05:00
Los Angeles · Pacific Time
19:06:08
Monday, May 11, 2026
PDT · UTC-07:00

Convert a specific time

From: CT (Chicago)
To: PT (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
PT (Pacific 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 PT 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
PT
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 PT).

Hour-by-hour CT to PT conversion table

CT time (Chicago)PT time (Los Angeles)Status
00:00 Mon22:00 SunOff-hours both sides
01:00 Mon23:00 SunOff-hours both sides
02:00 Mon00:00 MonOff-hours both sides
03:00 Mon01:00 MonOff-hours both sides
04:00 Mon02:00 MonOff-hours both sides
05:00 Mon03:00 MonOff-hours both sides
06:00 Mon04:00 MonOff-hours both sides
07:00 Mon05:00 MonOff-hours both sides
08:00 Mon06:00 MonOff-hours both sides
09:00 Mon07:00 MonCT working
10:00 Mon08:00 MonCT working
11:00 Mon09:00 MonBoth at work
12:00 Mon10:00 MonBoth at work
13:00 Mon11:00 MonBoth at work
14:00 Mon12:00 MonBoth at work
15:00 Mon13:00 MonBoth at work
16:00 Mon14:00 MonBoth at work
17:00 Mon15:00 MonPT working
18:00 Mon16:00 MonPT working
19:00 Mon17:00 MonOff-hours both sides
20:00 Mon18:00 MonOff-hours both sides
21:00 Mon19:00 MonOff-hours both sides
22:00 Mon20:00 MonOff-hours both sides
23:00 Mon21:00 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 Time (CT)
IANA identifier
America/Chicago
Current UTC offset
UTC-05:00
Current abbreviation
CDT
Major cities in this zone
ChicagoHoustonDallasAustinNew Orleans
Pacific Time (PT)
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
05:35
Sunset
20:00
Solar noon
12:48
Daylight
14h 24m
Los Angeles
Sunrise
05:55
Sunset
19:45
Solar noon
12:50
Daylight
13h 49m

Related converters

PT to CT (reverse)CT to ESTCT to PSTCT to GMTCT to UTCCT to CETEST to PTPST to PTGMT to PTUTC to PTCET to PT
Looking for local time? See time in Chicago or time in Los Angeles.

Frequently asked questions

What is the time difference between CT and PT right now?+
PT (Pacific 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 PT observe daylight saving time?+
CT: observes daylight saving time. PT: observes daylight saving time.
When is the best time to schedule a meeting between CT and PT?+
The strongest overlap is 11:00–16:00 CT (09:00–14:00 PT), 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 Mon in Chicago (CT), it is 10:00 Mon in Los Angeles (PT).
Which IANA time zone identifiers are used for CT and PT?+
CT maps to "America/Chicago" in the IANA database. PT 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 (PT) depends on the current UTC offsets. Right now PT 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 PT?+
CT is UTC-05:00 (CDT) and PT 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 PT?+
Yes. There are 6 hours of overlap during standard 9am-5pm working hours, with the strongest window at 11:00–16:00 CT.