This PST to CST converter turns any time in Pacific Standard Time (PST) into Central Standard Time (CST), using your device clock so daylight saving is applied automatically. CST is 2 hours ahead of PST. PST is UTC−8 (PDT: UTC−7); CST is UTC−6 (CDT: UTC−5).
PST covers Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle; CST covers Chicago, Dallas, Houston. 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.
PST and CST UTC offsets
PST
UTC−8
Pacific Standard Time
PDT UTC−7 from March 8 to November 1, 2026
CST
UTC−6
Central Standard Time
CDT UTC−5 from March 8 to November 1, 2026
PST to CST conversion table
| PST | CST |
|---|---|
| 12 am | 2 am |
| 3 am | 5 am |
| 6 am | 8 am |
| 8 am | 10 am |
| 9 am | 11 am |
| 10 am | 12 pm |
| 11 am | 1 pm |
| 12 pm | 2 pm |
| 1 pm | 3 pm |
| 2 pm | 4 pm |
| 3 pm | 5 pm |
| 4 pm | 6 pm |
| 5 pm | 7 pm |
| 6 pm | 8 pm |
| 8 pm | 10 pm |
| 10 pm | 12 amnext day |
Frequently asked questions
What is the time difference between PST and CST?
CST is 2 hours ahead of PST. That comes from the UTC offsets: PST is UTC−8 and CST is UTC−6. For example, 9 am PST = 11 am CST.
Is CST ahead of or behind PST?
CST is 2 hours ahead of PST, so when it is noon in PST it is 2 pm in CST. Ahead means the clock there already shows a later time; a call at 5 pm PST lands at 7 pm CST.
Does PST or CST observe daylight saving time in 2026?
PST switches to PDT (UTC−7) on March 8 and back on November 1 in 2026. CST switches to CDT (UTC−5) 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 PST and CST?
Standard office hours (9 am to 5 pm) overlap from 9 am to 3 pm PST, which is 11 am to 5 pm CST. 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 PST and CST?
PST (Pacific Standard Time) is used in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver. CST (Central Standard Time) is used in Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Mexico City (no DST). Some cities inside a zone skip daylight saving, noted in parentheses, so their offset matches only part of the year.