This CET to EST converter turns any time in Central European Time (CET) into Eastern Standard Time (EST), using your device clock so daylight saving is applied automatically. EST is 6 hours behind CET. CET is UTC+1 (CEST: UTC+2); EST is UTC−5 (EDT: UTC−4).
CET covers Paris, Berlin, Madrid; EST covers New York, Toronto, Miami. Because both zones change their clocks on different dates, the difference is not constant through the year. The tables below show both cases, and the converter at the top always uses the rule in force on the date you pick.
CET and EST UTC offsets
CET
UTC+1
Central European Time
CEST UTC+2 from March 29 to October 25, 2026
EST
UTC−5
Eastern Standard Time
EDT UTC−4 from March 8 to November 1, 2026
CET to EST conversion table
| CET | EST |
|---|---|
| 12 am | 6 pmprevious day |
| 3 am | 9 pmprevious day |
| 6 am | 12 am |
| 8 am | 2 am |
| 9 am | 3 am |
| 10 am | 4 am |
| 11 am | 5 am |
| 12 pm | 6 am |
| 1 pm | 7 am |
| 2 pm | 8 am |
| 3 pm | 9 am |
| 4 pm | 10 am |
| 5 pm | 11 am |
| 6 pm | 12 pm |
| 8 pm | 2 pm |
| 10 pm | 4 pm |
Frequently asked questions
What is the time difference between CET and EST?
EST is 6 hours behind CET. That comes from the UTC offsets: CET is UTC+1 and EST is UTC−5. For example, 9 am CET = 3 am EST.
Is EST ahead of or behind CET?
EST is 6 hours behind CET, so when it is noon in CET it is 6 am in EST. Ahead means the clock there already shows a later time; a call at 5 pm CET lands at 11 am EST.
Does CET or EST observe daylight saving time in 2026?
CET switches to CEST (UTC+2) on March 29 and back on October 25 in 2026. EST switches to EDT (UTC−4) on March 8 and back on November 1. Between those dates the difference in the table above shifts by an hour, which is the usual cause of missed calls in spring and autumn.
What is the best time for a meeting between CET and EST?
Standard office hours (9 am to 5 pm) overlap from 3 pm to 5 pm CET, which is 9 am to 11 am EST. Pick a slot inside that window and both sides stay within a normal working day. Check the daylight saving dates above, because the window moves by an hour when only one side has changed clocks.
Which cities use CET and EST?
CET (Central European Time) is used in Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Rome, Amsterdam. EST (Eastern Standard Time) is used in New York, Toronto, Miami, Atlanta. Some cities inside a zone skip daylight saving, noted in parentheses, so their offset matches only part of the year.