MST to CST Time Converter

Convert Mountain Standard Time (MST) to Central Standard Time (CST). Both time zones are shown live below; current offset between them is 1 hour ahead.

Denver · Mountain Standard Time
14:55:26
Sunday, May 10, 2026
MDT · UTC-06:00
Chicago · Central Standard Time
15:55:26
Sunday, May 10, 2026
CDT · UTC-05:00

Convert a specific time

From: MST (Denver)
To: CST (Chicago)
--:--

Daylight Saving status right now

MST (Mountain Standard Time)
Observes DST
Yes
In DST right now
Yes
Next fall back
2026-11-01
Offset shift
UTC-06:00 → UTC-07:00
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

When can MST and CST 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
MST
CST
Both zones in working hours (9am-5pm)
One zone working
Off-hours
Columns are hours of the day in Denver (MST). Each row shows the local working-hours state in that zone for the same moment in time.
7 hours of overlap during standard 9am-5pm working hours.
Best meeting window: 09:00–15:00 MST (10:00–16:00 CST).

Hour-by-hour MST to CST conversion table

MST time (Denver)CST time (Chicago)Status
00:00 Sun01:00 SunOff-hours both sides
01:00 Sun02:00 SunOff-hours both sides
02:00 Sun03:00 SunOff-hours both sides
03:00 Sun04:00 SunOff-hours both sides
04:00 Sun05:00 SunOff-hours both sides
05:00 Sun06:00 SunOff-hours both sides
06:00 Sun07:00 SunOff-hours both sides
07:00 Sun08:00 SunOff-hours both sides
08:00 Sun09:00 SunCST working
09:00 Sun10:00 SunBoth at work
10:00 Sun11:00 SunBoth at work
11:00 Sun12:00 SunBoth at work
12:00 Sun13:00 SunBoth at work
13:00 Sun14:00 SunBoth at work
14:00 Sun15:00 SunBoth at work
15:00 Sun16:00 SunBoth at work
16:00 Sun17:00 SunMST working
17:00 Sun18:00 SunOff-hours both sides
18:00 Sun19:00 SunOff-hours both sides
19:00 Sun20:00 SunOff-hours both sides
20:00 Sun21:00 SunOff-hours both sides
21:00 Sun22:00 SunOff-hours both sides
22:00 Sun23:00 SunOff-hours both sides
23:00 Sun00:00 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

Mountain Standard Time (MST)
IANA identifier
America/Denver
Current UTC offset
UTC-06:00
Current abbreviation
MDT
Major cities in this zone
DenverPhoenixSalt Lake CityAlbuquerque
Central Standard Time (CST)
IANA identifier
America/Chicago
Current UTC offset
UTC-05:00
Current abbreviation
CDT
Major cities in this zone
ChicagoHoustonDallasAustinNew Orleans

Sun today in Denver and Chicago

Denver
Sunrise
05:51
Sunset
20:03
Solar noon
12:57
Daylight
14h 12m
Chicago
Sunrise
05:37
Sunset
19:59
Solar noon
12:48
Daylight
14h 22m

Related converters

CST to MST (reverse)MST to ESTMST to PSTMST to GMTMST to UTCMST to CETEST to CSTPST to CSTGMT to CSTUTC to CSTCET to CST
Looking for local time? See time in Denver or time in Chicago.

Frequently asked questions

What is the time difference between MST and CST right now?+
CST (Central Standard Time) is currently 1 hour ahead MST (Mountain Standard Time). The exact difference can change when one or both zones transition into or out of daylight saving time.
Does MST or CST observe daylight saving time?+
MST: observes daylight saving time. CST: observes daylight saving time.
When is the best time to schedule a meeting between MST and CST?+
The strongest overlap is 09:00–15:00 MST (10:00–16:00 CST), giving 7 hours when both sides are within standard 9am-5pm working hours.
What time is it in Chicago when it is 12:00 noon in Denver?+
When it is 12:00 Sun in Denver (MST), it is 13:00 Sun in Chicago (CST).
Which IANA time zone identifiers are used for MST and CST?+
MST maps to "America/Denver" in the IANA database. CST maps to "America/Chicago". These identifiers are what most software libraries use to convert times accurately, including DST handling.
Is Denver ahead of or behind Chicago?+
Whether Denver (MST) is ahead of or behind Chicago (CST) depends on the current UTC offsets. Right now CST is 1 hour ahead MST. The live converter and side-by-side clocks above always reflect the current direction.
What are the current UTC offsets for MST and CST?+
MST is UTC-06:00 (MDT) and CST is UTC-05:00 (CDT). 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 MST and CST?+
Yes. There are 7 hours of overlap during standard 9am-5pm working hours, with the strongest window at 09:00–15:00 MST.