EST to CST Time Converter
Convert Eastern Time to Central Time instantly.
Scroll the timeline to check any hour of the day.
Eastern Time
EST
4:23
Central Time
CST
3:23
EST and CST are on daylight savings right now, shown as EDT and CDT.
Search any city, build a custom world clock, and plan across more time zones and options in the FlutterTime app. Free.
How the EST to CST time difference works
CST is 1 hour behind EST. Eastern Time (EST) is the time zone of the US East Coast. Central Time (CST) is the US Central time zone. For example, 9:00 AM EST is 8:00 AM CST. Scroll the timeline above to convert any moment, or use the chart below for a quick reference.
Time difference
1 hour
Daylight saving
Both observe
EST offset
UTC-5
CST offset
UTC-6
EST to CST conversion chart
| Eastern Time (EST) | Central Time (CST) |
|---|---|
| 12:00 AM | 11:00 PM -1 day |
| 1:00 AM | 12:00 AM |
| 2:00 AM | 1:00 AM |
| 3:00 AM | 2:00 AM |
| 4:00 AM | 3:00 AM |
| 5:00 AM | 4:00 AM |
| 6:00 AM | 5:00 AM |
| 7:00 AM | 6:00 AM |
| 8:00 AM | 7:00 AM |
| 9:00 AM | 8:00 AM |
| 10:00 AM | 9:00 AM |
| 11:00 AM | 10:00 AM |
| 12:00 PM | 11:00 AM |
| 1:00 PM | 12:00 PM |
| 2:00 PM | 1:00 PM |
| 3:00 PM | 2:00 PM |
| 4:00 PM | 3:00 PM |
| 5:00 PM | 4:00 PM |
| 6:00 PM | 5:00 PM |
| 7:00 PM | 6:00 PM |
| 8:00 PM | 7:00 PM |
| 9:00 PM | 8:00 PM |
| 10:00 PM | 9:00 PM |
| 11:00 PM | 10:00 PM |
Best time to meet
A standard 9 to 5 workday overlaps from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST (9:00 AM to 4:00 PM CST). Schedule inside that window to catch both coasts during business hours.
Cities in each time zone
Eastern Time (EST)
New YorkWashington D.C.AtlantaMiamiBostonPhiladelphia
Central Time (CST)
ChicagoHoustonDallasAustinNew OrleansMinneapolis
EST to CST questions
Is CST ahead of or behind EST?
CST is 1 hour behind EST. So 9:00 AM EST is 8:00 AM CST, and 5:00 PM EST is 4:00 PM CST.
What time is it in CST when it is 12:00 PM EST?
When it is 12:00 PM (noon) EST in Eastern Time, it is 11:00 AM CST in Central Time.
How many hours difference is there between EST and CST?
There is a 1 hour difference. Central Time (CST) runs 1 hour behind Eastern Time (EST).
Do EST and CST observe daylight saving time?
Both Eastern Time and Central Time observe daylight saving time on aligned dates, so the 1 hour difference between them holds all year.
What is the best time to schedule a meeting between EST and CST?
A standard 9-to-5 workday overlaps from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST (9:00 AM to 4:00 PM CST). Scheduling inside that window keeps the call during business hours in both Eastern Time and Central Time.
Which cities use EST and CST?
Eastern Time (EST) covers cities such as New York, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Miami, Boston, Philadelphia. Central Time (CST) covers cities such as Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Austin, New Orleans, Minneapolis.