PT to CST Time Converter

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

Los Angeles · Pacific Time
18:55:42
Sunday, May 10, 2026
PDT · UTC-07:00
Chicago · Central Standard Time
20:55:42
Sunday, May 10, 2026
CDT · UTC-05:00

Convert a specific time

From: PT (Los Angeles)
To: CST (Chicago)
--:--

Daylight Saving status right now

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
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 PT 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
PT
CST
Both zones in working hours (9am-5pm)
One zone working
Off-hours
Columns are hours of the day in Los Angeles (PT). 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: 09:00–14:00 PT (11:00–16:00 CST).

Hour-by-hour PT to CST conversion table

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

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
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 Los Angeles and Chicago

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

Related converters

CST to PT (reverse)PT to ESTPT to PSTPT to GMTPT to UTCPT to CETEST to CSTPST to CSTGMT to CSTUTC to CSTCET to CST
Looking for local time? See time in Los Angeles or time in Chicago.

Frequently asked questions

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