CDT to AKST Converter
Convert time between Central Daylight Time (CDT) and Alaska Standard Time (AKST)
Central Daylight Time (CDT)
Alaska Standard Time (AKST)
Time Difference
Alaska Standard Time (AKST) is 0 hours ahead of Central Daylight Time (CDT)
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Select Time
Quick Reference
| CDT | AKST |
|---|---|
| 20:00 | 17:00 |
| 22:00 | 19:00 |
| 00:00 | 21:00 |
| 02:00 | 23:00 |
| 04:00 | 01:00 |
| 06:00 | 03:00 |
| 08:00 | 05:00 |
| 10:00 | 07:00 |
| 12:00 | 09:00 |
| 14:00 | 11:00 |
| 16:00 | 13:00 |
| 18:00 | 15:00 |
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 CDT to AKST Time Conversion
Central Daylight Time (CDT) is UTC-5 (used during daylight saving time from March to November) and is observed across the central United States and parts of Canada and Mexico. Alaska Standard Time (AKST) is UTC-9 and is used throughout Alaska. CDT is 4 hours ahead of AKST, making it one of the largest time differences within North America. This conversion is essential for coordinating with Alaska-based operations, businesses, and individuals.
Alaska does not observe daylight saving time for most locations, with the exception of certain areas that follow Alaska Daylight Time (AKDT, UTC-8). However, CDT observes daylight saving, which means the time difference can vary: 4 hours when CDT is active (March-November), and 3 hours when CST is active (November-March). This converter helps navigate these complexities for accurate scheduling.
Common Use Cases for CDT to AKST Conversion
Business & Work
- Scheduling meetings between central US offices and Alaska-based operations
- Coordinating with Alaska business partners and oil/gas industry clients
- Managing customer service and support across continental and Alaska time zones
- Planning conference calls for cross-region teams
Personal & Travel
- Coordinating with family and friends in Alaska
- Planning travel to Alaska and adjusting to local time
- Scheduling video calls with Alaska residents
- Understanding broadcast times for Alaska events
Time Zone Information
Central Daylight Time (CDT)
- UTC Offset: UTC-5
- IANA Timezone: America/Chicago
- Daylight Saving: Second Sunday in March to First Sunday in November
- Major Cities: Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Austin, Memphis
- Coverage: Central United States and parts of Canada
Alaska Standard Time (AKST)
- UTC Offset: UTC-9 (UTC-8 during AKDT in some areas)
- IANA Timezone: America/Anchorage
- Daylight Saving: Most of Alaska does not observe daylight saving time
- Major Cities: Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks, Ketchikan
- Coverage: Alaska
Quick Reference: CDT to AKST
Remember: AKST is 4 hours behind CDT. When it's noon in Chicago, it's 8 AM in Anchorage
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between CDT and AKST?
Central Daylight Time (CDT) is UTC-5, while Alaska Standard Time (AKST) is UTC-9. This means CDT is 4 hours ahead of AKST. When you have 12:00 PM noon in Chicago (CDT), it's 8:00 AM in Anchorage (AKST).
Why is the Alaska time difference so large?
Alaska is geographically positioned far west and north of the continental US. The AKST timezone (UTC-9) is one of the westernmost in the US mainland. This creates a 4-hour difference with CDT (UTC-5). This is one of the largest intra-US time differences, second only to the Hawaii-East Coast difference of 10 hours.
Does Alaska observe daylight saving time like CDT?
No, most of Alaska does not observe daylight saving time and remains on AKST (UTC-9) year-round. However, a few small areas follow Alaska Daylight Time (AKDT, UTC-8). CDT observes daylight saving from March to November, so the difference fluctuates: 4 hours during CDT (March-November) and 3 hours during CST (November-March).
What are the best times to schedule calls between Central and Alaska?
Due to the 4-hour difference, overlapping business hours are limited. Morning meetings (9-11 AM CDT) correspond to 5-7 AM AKST (before most workdays start). Afternoon meetings (3-5 PM CDT) correspond to 11 AM-1 PM AKST (lunch time). Early morning Central calls (8 AM CDT) reach Alaska at 4 AM. Asynchronous communication is often best.
Why is CDT to AKST conversion important for business?
Alaska has significant industries including oil and gas, fishing, mining, and tourism that operate with continental US partners. Major Alaskan businesses in Anchorage and other cities coordinate with central US offices in Chicago, Houston, and Dallas. The energy sector especially requires constant cross-timezone coordination.
How does the time difference change when daylight saving time ends?
When CDT ends and CST begins (first Sunday in November), the difference changes from 4 hours to 3 hours. When CST ends and CDT begins (second Sunday in March), the difference changes from 3 hours back to 4 hours. Since Alaska doesn't observe daylight saving, you must adjust your reference accordingly.
Pro Tips
- • CDT to AKST is a 4-hour difference during daylight saving months (March-November). From November to March, it becomes 3 hours when CDT switches to CST.
- • Alaska does not observe daylight saving time, so AKST remains constant year-round. This makes it easier to predict once you account for CDT/CST transitions.
- • Early morning Central calls (8-9 AM CDT) reach Alaska at 4-5 AM, before standard business hours. Consider this when scheduling urgent meetings.
- • Alaska's oil and gas industry dominance means many continental US companies have dedicated Alaska liaison teams with shifted schedules.
- • Late afternoon Central meetings (4-5 PM CDT) land in Alaska during late morning/early afternoon (12-1 PM AKST), often the best window for both regions.
- • Always verify which Alaska locations you're coordinating with, as a few small areas observe AKDT (UTC-8) instead of AKST.
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