EST to CST Converter
CST is 1 hour behind EST all year.
CST to EST insteadTime difference between EST and CST
CST is 1 hour behind EST all year.
Both sides change their clocks on the same dates, so the difference never changes.
EST to CST conversion table
| EST | CSTAll year |
|---|---|
| 12 AM | 11 PM−1 day |
| 1 AM | 12 AM |
| 2 AM | 1 AM |
| 3 AM | 2 AM |
| 4 AM | 3 AM |
| 5 AM | 4 AM |
| 6 AM | 5 AM |
| 7 AM | 6 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 |
| 7 PM | 6 PM |
| 8 PM | 7 PM |
| 9 PM | 8 PM |
| 10 PM | 9 PM |
| 11 PM | 10 PM |
Best time to meet
Working hours (9 AM – 5 PM) overlap for 7 hours: 10 AM – 5 PM EST (9 AM – 4 PM CST). That window is the best time for calls and meetings.
Frequently asked questions
What time is it in CST when it's 9 AM in EST?
8 AM. CST is 1 hour behind EST.
How many hours is CST behind EST?
1 hour, all year round. Both sides change their clocks on the same dates, so the gap stays the same.
Does EST use daylight saving time?
Yes. Eastern Time is UTC−5 (EST) in January and UTC−4 (EDT) in July. Mar 8, 2026: clocks go forward to UTC−4; Nov 1, 2026: clocks go back to UTC−5.
Does CST use daylight saving time?
Yes. Central Time is UTC−6 (CST) in January and UTC−5 (CDT) in July. Mar 8, 2026: clocks go forward to UTC−5; Nov 1, 2026: clocks go back to UTC−6.
When is the best time to schedule a meeting between EST and CST?
Working hours (9 AM – 5 PM) overlap for 7 hours: 10 AM – 5 PM EST (9 AM – 4 PM CST). That window is the best time for calls and meetings.
Which CST does this page use?
Here CST means US Central Time (UTC−6, CDT UTC−5 in summer), not China Standard Time. For China, see the Beijing pages.