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EST to CST Converter

Convert Eastern Time to Central Time and back. Central is always 1 hour behind Eastern, with daylight saving applied.

Quick answer

Central Time is 1 hour behind Eastern Time all year: subtract one hour to convert EST to CST. 3:00 PM EST is 2:00 PM CST, and 9:00 AM ET is 8:00 AM CT. In summer the zones become EDT and CDT, but the 1 hour difference stays the same.

EST to CST ConverterRuns in your browser

Choose a time and date to convert.

Step by step

How to use the EST to CST Converter

01

Enter a time in Eastern Time.

02

See the same moment in Central Time.

03

Swap to convert Central to Eastern.

Worked examples

Eastern Time to Central Time chart

Eastern (ET)Central (CT)Eastern (ET)Central (CT)
12:00 AM11:00 PM12:00 PM11:00 AM
1:00 AM12:00 AM1:00 PM12:00 PM
2:00 AM1:00 AM2:00 PM1:00 PM
3:00 AM2:00 AM3:00 PM2:00 PM
4:00 AM3:00 AM4:00 PM3:00 PM
5:00 AM4:00 AM5:00 PM4:00 PM
6:00 AM5:00 AM6:00 PM5:00 PM
7:00 AM6:00 AM7:00 PM6:00 PM
8:00 AM7:00 AM8:00 PM7:00 PM
9:00 AM8:00 AM9:00 PM8:00 PM
10:00 AM9:00 AM10:00 PM9:00 PM
11:00 AM10:00 AM11:00 PM10:00 PM

Good to know

Eastern standard time converted to central standard time

EST is UTC−5 and CST is UTC−6, so CST is one hour behind. From the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November both zones move forward an hour (EDT, UTC−4, and CDT, UTC−5), and the gap stays one hour. That is why most people simply say ET and CT.

Which states use each zone?

Eastern Time covers states such as New York, Florida, Georgia and Ohio. Central Time covers Texas, Illinois, Minnesota and Louisiana, among others. Several states are split, including Florida’s panhandle, parts of Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee, so check the city rather than the state.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is CST ahead of or behind EST?

Behind. When it is noon in New York it is 11:00 AM in Chicago.

What time is 8 PM EST in CST?

7:00 PM CST.

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