UTC to CST Time Converter
Compare UTC and CST instantly. The clocks below stay in sync with the IANA time-zone database, so daylight-saving transitions are handled automatically for both UTC and Chicago.
24-Hour Comparison Timeline
Green = working hours · Yellow = early/late · Red = night
24-hour reference table
| UTC (UTC) | CST (Chicago) |
|---|---|
| 12:00 AM | 07:00 PM(Fri, Jul 24) |
| 01:00 AM | 08:00 PM(Fri, Jul 24) |
| 02:00 AM | 09:00 PM(Fri, Jul 24) |
| 03:00 AM | 10:00 PM(Fri, Jul 24) |
| 04:00 AM | 11:00 PM(Fri, Jul 24) |
| 05:00 AM | 12:00 AM |
| 06:00 AM | 01:00 AM |
| 07:00 AM | 02:00 AM |
| 08:00 AM | 03:00 AM |
| 09:00 AM | 04:00 AM |
| 10:00 AM | 05:00 AM |
| 11:00 AM | 06:00 AM |
| 12:00 PM | 07:00 AM |
| 01:00 PM | 08:00 AM |
| 02:00 PM | 09:00 AM |
| 03:00 PM | 10:00 AM |
| 04:00 PM | 11:00 AM |
| 05:00 PM | 12:00 PM |
| 06:00 PM | 01:00 PM |
| 07:00 PM | 02:00 PM |
| 08:00 PM | 03:00 PM |
| 09:00 PM | 04:00 PM |
| 10:00 PM | 05:00 PM |
| 11:00 PM | 06:00 PM |
Daylight saving time
Chicago observes daylight saving time; UTC does not. Expect a one-hour swing when Chicago starts or ends DST.
Working-hours overlap
2 PM–5 PM UTC (9 AM–12 PM CST) — the shared 9-to-5 window for meetings.
Frequently asked questions
What is the time difference between UTC and CST?+
CST (UTC-05:00) is currently 5 hours behind UTC (UTC+00:00). This page recalculates the offset live from the IANA time-zone database, including any daylight-saving transitions.
Does UTC or CST observe daylight saving time?+
Chicago observes daylight saving time; UTC does not, so the gap changes when Chicago springs forward or falls back. Times on this page always reflect the current local rules.
What are the best meeting hours between UTC and Chicago?+
Standard 9–5 working hours in UTC and Chicago overlap from 2 PM to 5 PM UTC (9 AM–12 PM CST). Schedule calls inside this window to keep both sides in normal business hours.
How do I quickly convert UTC to CST?+
Use the live clocks and 24-hour reference table above. Pick any hour on the UTC row to see the matching CST time. The Event Planner also lets you pick a specific date and share it with attendees.