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EST to CST converter

Eastern Time to Central Time: live time, conversion table and daylight saving dates.

Central Time is 1 hour behind Eastern Time right now. 9:00 AM EST = 8:00 AM CST.

Eastern Time
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Central Time
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Today, hour by hour

Eastern TimeCentral Time

Green rows are inside 9 AM–5 PM in both places.

EST to CST conversion table

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

EST or EDT? People search “EST”, “CST” or “PST” all year, but those names only apply in winter. From March to November US clocks are on daylight time (EDT, CDT, MDT, PDT), one hour later. This page uses the real local time in each US zone, so the answers are right whichever season you read it in. More in our EST vs EDT guide.

When the time difference changes

DatesDifference
Oct 9, 2026 – Dec 31, 2027Central Time is 1 hour behind Eastern Time

Eastern Time uses daylight saving time. Next clock changes: Nov 1, 2026 (to UTC-5), Mar 14, 2027 (to UTC-4). Central Time uses daylight saving time. Next clock changes: Nov 1, 2026 (to UTC-6), Mar 14, 2027 (to UTC-5).

Best time to call or meet

  • All year: shared 9-to-5 hours are 10:00 AM–5:00 PM in Eastern Time (9:00 AM–4:00 PM in Central Time).

Planning with more than two places? Use the meeting planner.

Frequently asked questions

What is 9 AM EST in CST?

8:00 AM CST.

What is the time difference between EST and CST?

Central Time is 1 hour behind Eastern Time in January, all year.

What is 5 PM EST in CST?

4:00 PM CST.