This CST to EST converter turns any time in Central Standard Time (CST) into Eastern Standard Time (EST), using your device clock so daylight saving is applied automatically. EST is 1 hour ahead of CST. CST is UTC−6 (CDT: UTC−5); EST is UTC−5 (EDT: UTC−4).
CST covers Chicago, Dallas, Houston; 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.
CST and EST UTC offsets
CST
UTC−6
Central Standard Time
CDT UTC−5 from March 8 to November 1, 2026
EST
UTC−5
Eastern Standard Time
EDT UTC−4 from March 8 to November 1, 2026
CST to EST conversion table
| CST | EST |
|---|---|
| 12 am | 1 am |
| 3 am | 4 am |
| 6 am | 7 am |
| 8 am | 9 am |
| 9 am | 10 am |
| 10 am | 11 am |
| 11 am | 12 pm |
| 12 pm | 1 pm |
| 1 pm | 2 pm |
| 2 pm | 3 pm |
| 3 pm | 4 pm |
| 4 pm | 5 pm |
| 5 pm | 6 pm |
| 6 pm | 7 pm |
| 8 pm | 9 pm |
| 10 pm | 11 pm |
Frequently asked questions
What is the time difference between CST and EST?
EST is 1 hour ahead of CST. That comes from the UTC offsets: CST is UTC−6 and EST is UTC−5. For example, 9 am CST = 10 am EST.
Is EST ahead of or behind CST?
EST is 1 hour ahead of CST, so when it is noon in CST it is 1 pm in EST. Ahead means the clock there already shows a later time; a call at 5 pm CST lands at 6 pm EST.
Does CST or EST observe daylight saving time in 2026?
CST switches to CDT (UTC−5) on March 8 and back on November 1 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 CST and EST?
Standard office hours (9 am to 5 pm) overlap from 9 am to 4 pm CST, which is 10 am to 5 pm 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 CST and EST?
CST (Central Standard Time) is used in Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Mexico City (no DST). 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.