CET to IST Converter
IST is 3 hours 30 minutes ahead of CET for most of the year. The gap changes for a few weeks a year because the two places switch to daylight saving time on different dates.
IST to CET insteadTime difference between CET and IST
IST is 3 hours 30 minutes ahead of CET for most of the year.
- 2026: IST is 4 hours 30 minutes ahead of CET from Jan 1 – Mar 28, 2026, Oct 25 – Dec 31, 2026.
- 2027: IST is 4 hours 30 minutes ahead of CET from Jan 1 – Mar 27, 2027, Oct 31 – Dec 31, 2027.
CET to IST conversion table
| CET | ISTMost of the year | ISTJan 1 – Mar 28, 2026, Oct 25 – Dec 31, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 12 AM | 3:30 AM | 4:30 AM |
| 1 AM | 4:30 AM | 5:30 AM |
| 2 AM | 5:30 AM | 6:30 AM |
| 3 AM | 6:30 AM | 7:30 AM |
| 4 AM | 7:30 AM | 8:30 AM |
| 5 AM | 8:30 AM | 9:30 AM |
| 6 AM | 9:30 AM | 10:30 AM |
| 7 AM | 10:30 AM | 11:30 AM |
| 8 AM | 11:30 AM | 12:30 PM |
| 9 AM | 12:30 PM | 1:30 PM |
| 10 AM | 1:30 PM | 2:30 PM |
| 11 AM | 2:30 PM | 3:30 PM |
| 12 PM | 3:30 PM | 4:30 PM |
| 1 PM | 4:30 PM | 5:30 PM |
| 2 PM | 5:30 PM | 6:30 PM |
| 3 PM | 6:30 PM | 7:30 PM |
| 4 PM | 7:30 PM | 8:30 PM |
| 5 PM | 8:30 PM | 9:30 PM |
| 6 PM | 9:30 PM | 10:30 PM |
| 7 PM | 10:30 PM | 11:30 PM |
| 8 PM | 11:30 PM | 12:30 AM+1 day |
| 9 PM | 12:30 AM+1 day | 1:30 AM+1 day |
| 10 PM | 1:30 AM+1 day | 2:30 AM+1 day |
| 11 PM | 2:30 AM+1 day | 3:30 AM+1 day |
Best time to meet
Working hours (9 AM – 5 PM) overlap for 4 hours 30 minutes: 9 AM – 1:30 PM CET (12:30 PM – 5 PM IST). That window is the best time for calls and meetings.
Frequently asked questions
What time is it in IST when it's 9 AM in CET?
12:30 PM for most of the year. IST is 3 hours 30 minutes ahead of CET.
How many hours is IST ahead of CET?
Usually 3 hours 30 minutes. The gap changes for a few weeks a year because daylight saving time starts and ends on different dates: 2026: IST is 4 hours 30 minutes ahead of CET from Jan 1 – Mar 28, 2026, Oct 25 – Dec 31, 2026. 2027: IST is 4 hours 30 minutes ahead of CET from Jan 1 – Mar 27, 2027, Oct 31 – Dec 31, 2027.
Does CET use daylight saving time?
Yes. Central European Time is UTC+1 (CET) in January and UTC+2 (CEST) in July. Mar 29, 2026: clocks go forward to UTC+2; Oct 25, 2026: clocks go back to UTC+1.
Does IST use daylight saving time?
No. India Standard Time stays at UTC+5:30 all year.
When is the best time to schedule a meeting between CET and IST?
Working hours (9 AM – 5 PM) overlap for 4 hours 30 minutes: 9 AM – 1:30 PM CET (12:30 PM – 5 PM IST). That window is the best time for calls and meetings.
Which IST does this page use?
IST here means India Standard Time (UTC+5:30), not Irish or Israel Standard Time.