MXCT to CST Time Converter

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

Mexico City · Mexico City Time
22:05:35
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
CST · UTC-06:00
Chicago · Central Standard Time
23:05:35
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
CDT · UTC-05:00

Convert a specific time

From: MXCT (Mexico City)
To: CST (Chicago)
--:--

Daylight Saving status right now

MXCT (Mexico City Time)
Observes DST
No
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

Heads up: CST observes DST while MXCT does not. The 1-hour difference shown above will shift by one hour when CST starts or ends DST.

When can MXCT and CST meet?

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MXCT
CST
Both zones in working hours (9am-5pm)
One zone working
Off-hours
Columns are hours of the day in Mexico City (MXCT). 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 MXCT (10:00–16:00 CST).

Hour-by-hour MXCT to CST conversion table

MXCT time (Mexico City)CST time (Chicago)Status
00:00 Tue01:00 TueOff-hours both sides
01:00 Tue02:00 TueOff-hours both sides
02:00 Tue03:00 TueOff-hours both sides
03:00 Tue04:00 TueOff-hours both sides
04:00 Tue05:00 TueOff-hours both sides
05:00 Tue06:00 TueOff-hours both sides
06:00 Tue07:00 TueOff-hours both sides
07:00 Tue08:00 TueOff-hours both sides
08:00 Tue09:00 TueCST working
09:00 Tue10:00 TueBoth at work
10:00 Tue11:00 TueBoth at work
11:00 Tue12:00 TueBoth at work
12:00 Tue13:00 TueBoth at work
13:00 Tue14:00 TueBoth at work
14:00 Tue15:00 TueBoth at work
15:00 Tue16:00 TueBoth at work
16:00 Tue17:00 TueMXCT working
17:00 Tue18:00 TueOff-hours both sides
18:00 Tue19:00 TueOff-hours both sides
19:00 Tue20:00 TueOff-hours both sides
20:00 Tue21:00 TueOff-hours both sides
21:00 Tue22:00 TueOff-hours both sides
22:00 Tue23:00 TueOff-hours both sides
23:00 Tue00:00 WedOff-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

Mexico City Time (MXCT)
IANA identifier
America/Mexico_City
Current UTC offset
UTC-06:00
Current abbreviation
CST
Major cities in this zone
Mexico CityGuadalajara
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 Mexico City and Chicago

Mexico City
Sunrise
06:01
Sunset
19:07
Solar noon
12:34
Daylight
13h 5m
Chicago
Sunrise
05:28
Sunset
20:08
Solar noon
12:48
Daylight
14h 40m

Related converters

CST to MXCT (reverse)MXCT to ESTMXCT to PSTMXCT to GMTMXCT to UTCMXCT to CETEST to CSTPST to CSTGMT to CSTUTC to CSTCET to CST
Looking for local time? See time in Mexico City or time in Chicago.

Frequently asked questions

What is the time difference between MXCT and CST right now?+
CST (Central Standard Time) is currently 1 hour ahead MXCT (Mexico City Time). The exact difference can change when one or both zones transition into or out of daylight saving time.
Does MXCT or CST observe daylight saving time?+
MXCT: does not observe daylight saving time. CST: observes daylight saving time.
When is the best time to schedule a meeting between MXCT and CST?+
The strongest overlap is 09:00–15:00 MXCT (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 Mexico City?+
When it is 12:00 Tue in Mexico City (MXCT), it is 13:00 Tue in Chicago (CST).
Which IANA time zone identifiers are used for MXCT and CST?+
MXCT maps to "America/Mexico_City" 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 Mexico City ahead of or behind Chicago?+
Whether Mexico City (MXCT) is ahead of or behind Chicago (CST) depends on the current UTC offsets. Right now CST is 1 hour ahead MXCT. The live converter and side-by-side clocks above always reflect the current direction.
What are the current UTC offsets for MXCT and CST?+
MXCT is UTC-06:00 (CST) 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 MXCT and CST?+
Yes. There are 7 hours of overlap during standard 9am-5pm working hours, with the strongest window at 09:00–15:00 MXCT.