AKST to CST Converter
Convert time between Alaska Standard Time (AKST) and Central Standard Time (CST)
Alaska Standard Time (AKST)
Central Standard Time (CST)
Time Difference
Central Standard Time (CST) is 0 hours ahead of Alaska Standard Time (AKST)
Select Date
Select Time
Quick Reference
| AKST | CST |
|---|---|
| 17:00 | 20:00 |
| 19:00 | 22:00 |
| 21:00 | 00:00 |
| 23:00 | 02:00 |
| 01:00 | 04:00 |
| 03:00 | 06:00 |
| 05:00 | 08:00 |
| 07:00 | 10:00 |
| 09:00 | 12:00 |
| 11:00 | 14:00 |
| 13:00 | 16:00 |
| 15:00 | 18:00 |
Top 10 Most Common Time Zones
| Abbreviation | Full Name | UTC Offset | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| UTC | Coordinated Universal Time | UTC ±0 | Global reference standard (servers, logs, APIs) |
| EST / EDT | Eastern (US) Time | UTC −5 / −4 | New York, Toronto — North American business hub |
| CST / CDT | Central (US) Time | UTC −6 / −5 | Chicago, Dallas — US central business region |
| PST / PDT | Pacific (US) Time | UTC −8 / −7 | San Francisco, Los Angeles — tech industry standard |
| GMT / BST | Greenwich Mean / British Summer Time | UTC 0 / +1 | UK, used globally as a reference with UTC |
| CET / CEST | Central European (Summer) Time | UTC +1 / +2 | Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam — EU business core |
| IST | India Standard Time | UTC +5:30 | India — major IT & outsourcing region |
| CST | China Standard Time | UTC +8 | Beijing, Shanghai — East Asia business hub |
| JST | Japan Standard Time | UTC +9 | Tokyo — finance & tech hub |
| AEST / AEDT | Australian Eastern (Daylight) Time | UTC +10 / +11 | Sydney, Melbourne — APAC regional business |
Why Time Zone Abbreviations Are Ambiguous
Unlike standardized identifiers (like America/New_York or Europe/London from the IANA tz database), abbreviations such as "CST" or "IST" are not globally unique. They can refer to different time zones depending on context — country, region, or even time of year (due to daylight saving time).
Common Ambiguous Time Zone Abbreviations
| Abbrev. | Common Meaning(s) | UTC Offset | Region(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CST | Central Standard Time / China Standard Time / Cuba Standard Time | UTC−6 / UTC+8 / UTC−5 | North America, China, Cuba |
| IST | Indian Standard Time / Irish Standard Time / Israel Standard Time | UTC+5:30 / UTC+1 / UTC+2 | India, Ireland, Israel |
| AST | Atlantic Standard Time / Arabia Standard Time | UTC−4 / UTC+3 | Caribbean, Canada, Middle East |
| PST | Pacific Standard Time / Philippine Standard Time | UTC−8 / UTC+8 | North America, Philippines |
| EST | Eastern Standard Time (North America / Australia) | UTC−5 / UTC+10 | North America, Australia |
✅ Best Practice
To avoid ambiguity, always:
- Use IANA tz identifiers — e.g.,
America/New_Yorkinstead of "EST" - Specify UTC offset explicitly — e.g.,
UTC−5when abbreviations must be used - Include the full timezone name — e.g., "Eastern Standard Time (EST)" with UTC offset
Related Time Zone Conversions
About AKST to CST Time Conversion
Converting time between Alaska Standard Time (AKST) and Central Standard Time (CST) is essential for coordinating between Alaska and the US Central region. AKST is UTC-9 while CST is UTC-6, making CST 3 hours ahead of AKST. This conversion applies during winter months (November to March) when both regions are on standard time, not daylight saving time.
This conversion is crucial for business operations between Alaska and Central region cities like Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, and St. Louis. Whether you're scheduling meetings between Anchorage and Chicago headquarters, coordinating business operations, managing customer service, or planning travel, our accurate IANA-based converter ensures precise timezone calculations. During spring and summer months (March to November), when both regions transition to daylight time (AKDT and CDT), the difference increases to 4 hours, making this pairing more complex during daylight hours but important for year-round Alaska-Central coordination.
Common Use Cases for AKST to CST Conversion
Business & Work
- Scheduling Alaska to Central US business meetings
- Coordinating between Anchorage and Chicago/Dallas headquarters
- Managing business operations across Alaska and the Central region
- Planning conference calls between Alaska and Central US teams
Personal & Travel
- Coordinating with family and friends in the Central US region
- Planning travel between Alaska and Central US destinations
- Scheduling virtual events for Alaska-Central audiences
- Arranging online meetings with Central-based colleagues
Time Zone Information
Alaska Standard Time (AKST)
- UTC Offset: UTC-9
- IANA Timezone: America/Anchorage
- Daylight Saving: Standard time (first Sunday in November to second Sunday in March)
- Major Cities: Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka
- Coverage: Alaska (winter months)
Central Standard Time (CST)
- UTC Offset: UTC-6
- IANA Timezone: America/Chicago
- Daylight Saving: Standard time (first Sunday in November to second Sunday in March)
- Major Cities: Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, St. Louis, Memphis
- Coverage: Central United States and Canada (winter months)
Quick Reference: AKST to CST
Remember: CST is always 3 hours ahead of AKST during winter months (November-March). When both regions transition to daylight time (AKDT and CDT in spring), the difference increases to 4 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between AKST and CST?
Alaska Standard Time (AKST) is UTC-9, while Central Standard Time (CST) is UTC-6. This means CST is 3 hours ahead of AKST. When it's 9:00 AM in Anchorage (AKST), it's 12:00 PM (noon) in Chicago (CST).
Does this difference change throughout the year?
Yes, it changes significantly depending on daylight saving time. During winter months (November to March), both regions are on standard time, maintaining a 3-hour difference. However, when both transition to daylight time (AKDT and CDT in spring), the difference increases to 4 hours, which lasts from mid-March to early November.
When do daylight saving time transitions occur?
Both Alaska and the Central region follow the same daylight saving schedule: the transition to daylight time occurs on the second Sunday in March, and the transition back to standard time occurs on the first Sunday in November. You'll need to adjust your calculations by 1 hour on these dates each year.
What are the best times to schedule meetings between Alaska and the Central region?
With a 3-hour difference in winter, early morning Alaska time (7-9 AM AKST) aligns with mid-morning Central time (10 AM-12 PM CST). This overlaps well with business hours on both sides. The difference increases to 4 hours during daylight saving months (mid-March to early November), making coordination more challenging but still possible.
Which major cities are in these timezones?
AKST covers Alaska's major cities including Anchorage (largest city), Fairbanks, Juneau (capital), Ketchikan, and Sitka. CST covers Central US cities including Chicago (Illinois), Dallas (Texas), Houston (Texas), Kansas City (Missouri), St. Louis (Missouri), and Memphis (Tennessee).
Why is AKST to CST coordination more complex than other Alaska pairings?
The AKST to CST pairing is complex because the difference changes between 3 and 4 hours throughout the year. Unlike AKST to MST which remains at 2 hours consistently, the seasonal change makes it essential to carefully track which time period you're in and adjust your meeting times accordingly. This is important for long-term business planning between Alaska and Central US offices.
Pro Tips
- • Mark your calendar for DST transitions (second Sunday in March and first Sunday in November) to remember when the difference changes from 3 hours to 4 hours and back. This affects all AKST-CST scheduling.
- • During winter months (AKST/CST period), a simple rule of thumb: add 3 hours to AKST times. A 9 AM AKST meeting is 12 PM CST, and a 1 PM AKST meeting is 4 PM CST.
- • Early morning calls in Alaska (7-9 AM AKST) are ideal for Central region coordination during winter, aligning with 10 AM-12 PM CST, which is prime business meeting time.
- • Alaska-Central US business partnerships need to plan carefully around DST transitions. The jump from 3-hour to 4-hour difference in spring means moving earlier meeting times by an hour, which can disrupt established patterns.
- • During video calls, remember that a 10 AM AKST meeting in winter is 1 PM CST (noon lunch time). Better options are 8 AM AKST = 11 AM CST, or 3 PM AKST = 6 PM CST for end-of-day syncs.
- • For quarterly business reviews between Alaska and Central US offices, always double-check your conversion in the month of transition (March and November) to avoid scheduling confusion during the one-hour shift.
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