CT to UTC Time Converter

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

Chicago · Central Time
01:10:55
Monday, May 11, 2026
CDT · UTC-05:00
UTC · Coordinated Universal Time
06:10:55
Monday, May 11, 2026
UTC · UTC+00:00

Convert a specific time

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

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
UTC (Coordinated Universal Time)
Observes DST
No

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

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

Hour-by-hour CT to UTC conversion table

CT time (Chicago)UTC time (UTC)Status
00:00 Mon05:00 MonOff-hours both sides
01:00 Mon06:00 MonOff-hours both sides
02:00 Mon07:00 MonOff-hours both sides
03:00 Mon08:00 MonOff-hours both sides
04:00 Mon09:00 MonUTC working
05:00 Mon10:00 MonUTC working
06:00 Mon11:00 MonUTC working
07:00 Mon12:00 MonUTC working
08:00 Mon13:00 MonUTC working
09:00 Mon14:00 MonBoth at work
10:00 Mon15:00 MonBoth at work
11:00 Mon16:00 MonBoth at work
12:00 Mon17:00 MonCT working
13:00 Mon18:00 MonCT working
14:00 Mon19:00 MonCT working
15:00 Mon20:00 MonCT working
16:00 Mon21:00 MonCT working
17:00 Mon22:00 MonOff-hours both sides
18:00 Mon23:00 MonOff-hours both sides
19:00 Mon00:00 TueOff-hours both sides
20:00 Mon01:00 TueOff-hours both sides
21:00 Mon02:00 TueOff-hours both sides
22:00 Mon03:00 TueOff-hours both sides
23:00 Mon04:00 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
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
05:35
Sunset
20:00
Solar noon
12:48
Daylight
14h 24m

Related converters

UTC to CT (reverse)CT to ESTCT to PSTCT to GMTCT to CETCT 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 CT and UTC right now?+
UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) is currently 5 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 UTC observe daylight saving time?+
CT: observes daylight saving time. UTC: does not observe daylight saving time.
When is the best time to schedule a meeting between CT and UTC?+
The strongest overlap is 09:00–11:00 CT (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 Mon in Chicago (CT), it is 17:00 Mon in UTC (UTC).
Which IANA time zone identifiers are used for CT and UTC?+
CT 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 (CT) is ahead of or behind UTC (UTC) depends on the current UTC offsets. Right now UTC is 5 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 UTC?+
CT 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 CT and UTC?+
Yes. There are 3 hours of overlap during standard 9am-5pm working hours, with the strongest window at 09:00–11:00 CT.