UTC to CST Time Converter

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

UTC · Coordinated Universal Time
20:55:26
Sunday, May 10, 2026
UTC · UTC+00:00
Chicago · Central Standard Time
15:55:26
Sunday, May 10, 2026
CDT · UTC-05:00

Convert a specific time

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

Daylight Saving status right now

UTC (Coordinated Universal 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 UTC does not. The 5-hour difference shown above will shift by one hour when CST starts or ends DST.

When can UTC and CST meet?

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01
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05
06
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09
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UTC
CST
Both zones in working hours (9am-5pm)
One zone working
Off-hours
Columns are hours of the day in UTC (UTC). 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: 14:00–16:00 UTC (09:00–11:00 CST).

Hour-by-hour UTC to CST conversion table

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

Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)
IANA identifier
UTC
Current UTC offset
UTC+00:00
Current abbreviation
UTC
Major cities in this zone
UTC
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 UTC and Chicago

Chicago
Sunrise
05:37
Sunset
19:59
Solar noon
12:48
Daylight
14h 22m

Related converters

CST to UTC (reverse)UTC to ESTUTC to PSTUTC to GMTUTC to CETUTC to ISTEST to CSTPST to CSTGMT to CSTCET to CSTIST to CST
Looking for local time? See time in UTC or time in Chicago.

Frequently asked questions

What is the time difference between UTC and CST right now?+
CST (Central Standard Time) is currently 5 hours behind UTC (Coordinated Universal Time). The exact difference can change when one or both zones transition into or out of daylight saving time.
Does UTC or CST observe daylight saving time?+
UTC: does not observe daylight saving time. CST: observes daylight saving time.
When is the best time to schedule a meeting between UTC and CST?+
The strongest overlap is 14:00–16:00 UTC (09:00–11:00 CST), giving 3 hours when both sides are within standard 9am-5pm working hours.
What time is it in Chicago when it is 12:00 noon in UTC?+
When it is 12:00 Sun in UTC (UTC), it is 07:00 Sun in Chicago (CST).
Which IANA time zone identifiers are used for UTC and CST?+
UTC maps to "UTC" 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 UTC ahead of or behind Chicago?+
Whether UTC (UTC) is ahead of or behind Chicago (CST) depends on the current UTC offsets. Right now CST is 5 hours behind UTC. The live converter and side-by-side clocks above always reflect the current direction.
What are the current UTC offsets for UTC and CST?+
UTC is UTC+00:00 (UTC) 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 UTC and CST?+
Yes. There are 3 hours of overlap during standard 9am-5pm working hours, with the strongest window at 14:00–16:00 UTC.