This CST to EST converter turns any time in China Standard Time (CST) into Eastern Standard Time (EST), using your device clock so daylight saving is applied automatically. EST is 13 hours behind CST when both zones are on standard time, and 12 hours behind during the summer months when clocks have shifted. CST is UTC+8; EST is UTC−5 (EDT: UTC−4).
CST covers Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen; EST covers New York, Toronto, Miami. Because only EST observes daylight saving time, 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.
CST and EST UTC offsets
CST
UTC+8
China Standard Time
No daylight saving time
EST
UTC−5
Eastern Standard Time
EDT UTC−4 from March 8 to November 1, 2026
CST to EST conversion table (standard time)
| CST | EST |
|---|---|
| 12 am | 11 amprevious day |
| 3 am | 2 pmprevious day |
| 6 am | 5 pmprevious day |
| 8 am | 7 pmprevious day |
| 9 am | 8 pmprevious day |
| 10 am | 9 pmprevious day |
| 11 am | 10 pmprevious day |
| 12 pm | 11 pmprevious day |
| 1 pm | 12 am |
| 2 pm | 1 am |
| 3 pm | 2 am |
| 4 pm | 3 am |
| 5 pm | 4 am |
| 6 pm | 5 am |
| 8 pm | 7 am |
| 10 pm | 9 am |
CST to EST during daylight saving
Between the dates listed above, the difference is 12 hours instead of 13 hours.
| CST | EST/EDT |
|---|---|
| 12 am | 12 pmprevious day |
| 3 am | 3 pmprevious day |
| 6 am | 6 pmprevious day |
| 8 am | 8 pmprevious day |
| 9 am | 9 pmprevious day |
| 10 am | 10 pmprevious day |
| 11 am | 11 pmprevious day |
| 12 pm | 12 am |
| 1 pm | 1 am |
| 2 pm | 2 am |
| 3 pm | 3 am |
| 4 pm | 4 am |
| 5 pm | 5 am |
| 6 pm | 6 am |
| 8 pm | 8 am |
| 10 pm | 10 am |
Frequently asked questions
What is the time difference between CST and EST?
EST is 13 hours behind CST on standard time. During daylight saving the gap changes to 12 hours. That comes from the UTC offsets: CST is UTC+8 and EST is UTC−5. For example, 9 am CST = 8 pm EST the previous day, and in summer 9 am CST = 9 pm EST the previous day.
Is EST ahead of or behind CST?
EST is 13 hours behind CST, so when it is noon in CST it is 11 pm in EST the previous day. Ahead means the clock there already shows a later time; a call at 5 pm CST lands at 4 am EST.
Does CST or EST observe daylight saving time in 2026?
CST keeps UTC+8 all year. 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 CST and EST?
Office hours (9 am to 5 pm) do not overlap at all with a 13 hours difference. The least painful options are early morning in EST or early evening in CST; for example 8 am CST = 7 pm EST the previous day and 6 pm CST = 5 am EST. Rotate the inconvenient slot between the two sides for recurring calls.
Which cities use CST and EST?
CST (China Standard Time) is used in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Taipei. 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.