This EST to CST converter turns any time in Eastern Standard Time (EST) into Central Standard Time (CST), using your device clock so daylight saving is applied automatically. CST is 1 hour behind EST. EST is UTC−5 (EDT: UTC−4); CST is UTC−6 (CDT: UTC−5).
EST covers New York, Toronto, Miami; CST covers Chicago, Dallas, Houston. Because both zones change their clocks on different dates, the difference is not constant through the year. The tables below show both cases, and the converter at the top always uses the rule in force on the date you pick.
EST and CST UTC offsets
EST
UTC−5
Eastern Standard Time
EDT UTC−4 from March 8 to November 1, 2026
CST
UTC−6
Central Standard Time
CDT UTC−5 from March 8 to November 1, 2026
EST to CST conversion table
| EST | CST |
|---|---|
| 12 am | 11 pmprevious day |
| 3 am | 2 am |
| 6 am | 5 am |
| 8 am | 7 am |
| 9 am | 8 am |
| 10 am | 9 am |
| 11 am | 10 am |
| 12 pm | 11 am |
| 1 pm | 12 pm |
| 2 pm | 1 pm |
| 3 pm | 2 pm |
| 4 pm | 3 pm |
| 5 pm | 4 pm |
| 6 pm | 5 pm |
| 8 pm | 7 pm |
| 10 pm | 9 pm |
Frequently asked questions
What is the time difference between EST and CST?
CST is 1 hour behind EST. That comes from the UTC offsets: EST is UTC−5 and CST is UTC−6. For example, 9 am EST = 8 am CST.
Is CST ahead of or behind EST?
CST is 1 hour behind EST, so when it is noon in EST it is 11 am in CST. Ahead means the clock there already shows a later time; a call at 5 pm EST lands at 4 pm CST.
Does EST or CST observe daylight saving time in 2026?
EST switches to EDT (UTC−4) on March 8 and back on November 1 in 2026. CST switches to CDT (UTC−5) on March 8 and back on November 1. Between those dates the difference in the table above shifts by an hour, which is the usual cause of missed calls in spring and autumn.
What is the best time for a meeting between EST and CST?
Standard office hours (9 am to 5 pm) overlap from 10 am to 5 pm EST, which is 9 am to 4 pm CST. Pick a slot inside that window and both sides stay within a normal working day. Check the daylight saving dates above, because the window moves by an hour when only one side has changed clocks.
Which cities use EST and CST?
EST (Eastern Standard Time) is used in New York, Toronto, Miami, Atlanta. CST (Central Standard Time) is used in Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Mexico City (no DST). Some cities inside a zone skip daylight saving, noted in parentheses, so their offset matches only part of the year.