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Convert CT to ET

Central Time (CT) to Eastern Time (ET)

Teams in Chicago, Dallas, Houston, and Minneapolis coordinating with New York headquarters or East Coast clients check this conversion constantly. The 1-hour gap is the simplest in the US, but professionals still verify it when scheduling cross-office calls, especially around early morning and late afternoon edges of the workday.

When it's 12:00 PM CT, it's 1:00 PM ET

UTC-5 UTC-4 +1 hour

Interactive Converter

Pick any time and date to convert between CT and ET.

CT to ET Conversion Table

Full 24-hour comparison. Business hours (9 AM -- 6 PM) are highlighted.

CT ET
12:00 AM 1:00 AM
1:00 AM 2:00 AM
2:00 AM 3:00 AM
3:00 AM 4:00 AM
4:00 AM 5:00 AM
5:00 AM 6:00 AM
6:00 AM 7:00 AM
7:00 AM 8:00 AM
8:00 AM 9:00 AM
9:00 AM 10:00 AM
10:00 AM 11:00 AM
11:00 AM 12:00 PM
12:00 PM 1:00 PM
1:00 PM 2:00 PM
2:00 PM 3:00 PM
3:00 PM 4:00 PM
4:00 PM 5:00 PM
5:00 PM 6:00 PM
6:00 PM 7:00 PM
7:00 PM 8:00 PM
8:00 PM 9:00 PM
9:00 PM 10:00 PM
10:00 PM 11:00 PM
11:00 PM 12:00 AM +1 day

Best Meeting Window

Top meeting times for teams in CT and ET (9 AM -- 6 PM work hours, 1-hour meeting).

12a
3a
6a
9a
12p
3p
6p
9p
CT CDT
ET EDT
Overlap
Everyone available
Most available
Some overlap
Outside work hours
1 1:00 PM -- 2:00 PM CT
CT: 1:00 PM ET: 2:00 PM

All members within working hours. Everyone in mid-day range.

9.7 / 10
2 12:00 PM -- 1:00 PM CT
CT: 12:00 PM ET: 1:00 PM

All members within working hours. Everyone in mid-day range.

9.3 / 10
3 2:00 PM -- 3:00 PM CT
CT: 2:00 PM ET: 3:00 PM

All members within working hours. Everyone in mid-day range.

9.3 / 10

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Scheduling Tips

  • With only a 1-hour gap, schedule freely during standard business hours. Almost the entire 9 AM-5 PM window overlaps.
  • For early morning meetings, 8:00 AM CST / 9:00 AM EST works well without being too early for either time zone.
  • No DST adjustment needed for recurring meetings -- both zones shift on the same dates, so your calendar events auto-adjust correctly.

Time Difference & DST

ET is 1 hour ahead of CT. CT is at UTC-5 and ET is at UTC-4.

Upcoming DST Transitions:

CT Clocks fall back on November 2, 2026
ET Clocks fall back on November 2, 2026

The conversion table above reflects the current DST state at build time. Use the interactive converter for live, date-specific conversions.

Major Cities

Central Time (CT)

  • Chicago
  • Dallas
  • Houston

Eastern Time (ET)

  • New York
  • Miami
  • Atlanta

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the time difference between CST and EST?
EST (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-5) is 1 hour ahead of CST (Central Standard Time, UTC-6). When it is 2:00 PM in Chicago, it is 3:00 PM in New York. This 1-hour difference stays constant year-round because both zones shift for DST on the same dates.
What is 9:00 AM CST in Eastern Time?
9:00 AM CST is 10:00 AM EST. During daylight saving time, 9:00 AM CDT is 10:00 AM EDT. The 1-hour difference never changes.
Do Central and Eastern time zones change clocks on the same dates?
Yes. Both US Central and Eastern zones spring forward on the second Sunday in March and fall back on the first Sunday in November. The 1-hour gap between them is constant every day of the year.

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