CET to CST Time Converter
Compare CET and CST instantly. The clocks below stay in sync with the IANA time-zone database, so daylight-saving transitions are handled automatically for both Paris and Chicago.
24-Hour Comparison Timeline
Green = working hours · Yellow = early/late · Red = night
24-hour reference table
| CET (Paris) | CST (Chicago) |
|---|---|
| 12:00 AM | 05:00 PM(Fri, Jul 24) |
| 01:00 AM | 06:00 PM(Fri, Jul 24) |
| 02:00 AM | 07:00 PM(Fri, Jul 24) |
| 03:00 AM | 08:00 PM(Fri, Jul 24) |
| 04:00 AM | 09:00 PM(Fri, Jul 24) |
| 05:00 AM | 10:00 PM(Fri, Jul 24) |
| 06:00 AM | 11:00 PM(Fri, Jul 24) |
| 07:00 AM | 12:00 AM |
| 08:00 AM | 01:00 AM |
| 09:00 AM | 02:00 AM |
| 10:00 AM | 03:00 AM |
| 11:00 AM | 04:00 AM |
| 12:00 PM | 05:00 AM |
| 01:00 PM | 06:00 AM |
| 02:00 PM | 07:00 AM |
| 03:00 PM | 08:00 AM |
| 04:00 PM | 09:00 AM |
| 05:00 PM | 10:00 AM |
| 06:00 PM | 11:00 AM |
| 07:00 PM | 12:00 PM |
| 08:00 PM | 01:00 PM |
| 09:00 PM | 02:00 PM |
| 10:00 PM | 03:00 PM |
| 11:00 PM | 04:00 PM |
Daylight saving time
Both Paris and Chicago observe daylight saving time, so the offset between CET and CST shifts twice a year.
Working-hours overlap
4 PM–5 PM CET (9 AM–10 AM CST) — the shared 9-to-5 window for meetings.
Frequently asked questions
What is the time difference between CET and CST?+
CST (UTC-05:00) is currently 7 hours behind CET (UTC+02:00). This page recalculates the offset live from the IANA time-zone database, including any daylight-saving transitions.
Does CET or CST observe daylight saving time?+
Both Paris and Chicago observe daylight saving time, so the offset can shift twice a year. Times on this page always reflect the current local rules.
What are the best meeting hours between Paris and Chicago?+
Standard 9–5 working hours in Paris and Chicago overlap from 4 PM to 5 PM CET (9 AM–10 AM CST). Schedule calls inside this window to keep both sides in normal business hours.
How do I quickly convert CET to CST?+
Use the live clocks and 24-hour reference table above. Pick any hour on the CET row to see the matching CST time. The Event Planner also lets you pick a specific date and share it with attendees.