CDT to BST Converter
Convert time between Central Daylight Time (CDT) and British Summer Time (BST)
Central Daylight Time (CDT)
British Summer Time (BST)
Time Difference
British Summer Time (BST) is 0 hours ahead of Central Daylight Time (CDT)
Select Date
Select Time
Quick Reference
| CDT | BST |
|---|---|
| 20:00 | 02:00 |
| 22:00 | 04:00 |
| 00:00 | 06:00 |
| 02:00 | 08:00 |
| 04:00 | 10:00 |
| 06:00 | 12:00 |
| 08:00 | 14:00 |
| 10:00 | 16:00 |
| 12:00 | 18:00 |
| 14:00 | 20:00 |
| 16:00 | 22:00 |
| 18:00 | 00:00 |
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 BST Time Conversion
Converting time between Central Daylight Time (CDT) and British Summer Time (BST) is essential for US Central to UK coordination during daylight saving time. CDT is UTC-5 while BST is UTC+1, making BST 6 hours ahead of CDT. This conversion is crucial during spring and summer months (late March to late October) when the UK observes British Summer Time.
Whether you're scheduling business meetings between Chicago/Dallas and London, coordinating project deadlines, or planning travel, our accurate IANA-based converter ensures precise timezone calculations. This conversion is particularly important for international business operations, tech companies, and finance sectors with offices in both regions.
Common Use Cases for CDT to BST Conversion
Business & Work
- Scheduling US Central to UK business meetings during summer months
- Coordinating business operations between Chicago/Dallas and London offices
- Managing international finance and trading across time zones
- Planning conference calls for transatlantic teams
Personal & Travel
- Planning travel from US Central region to UK during summer
- Coordinating with UK family and friends from Central US during BST period
- Scheduling virtual events for Central US-UK audiences in summer
- Managing international student or work abroad communications
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
British Summer Time (BST)
- UTC Offset: UTC+1
- IANA Timezone: Europe/London
- Daylight Saving: Last Sunday in March to Last Sunday in October
- Major Cities: London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast, Dublin
- Coverage: United Kingdom and Ireland (during daylight saving time)
Quick Reference: CDT to BST
Remember: BST is always 6 hours ahead of CDT (March - late October)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between CDT and BST?
Central Daylight Time (CDT) is UTC-5, while British Summer Time (BST) is UTC+1. This means BST is 6 hours ahead of CDT. When you have 8:00 AM in Chicago (CDT), it's 2:00 PM in London (BST).
Why is there a 6-hour difference between Central US and UK?
The 6-hour difference comes from the geographic position of the UK (UTC+1 during summer) being 6 hours ahead of Central US (UTC-5 during summer). The UK is positioned far east, while Central US is in the middle of the North American continent. This makes transatlantic coordination significant but manageable.
When does BST apply vs GMT?
BST (British Summer Time, UTC+1) is observed from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October. Outside these dates, the UK uses GMT (Greenwich Mean Time, UTC+0). Since CDT runs from mid-March to early November, there's overlap and variation in the actual time difference.
What are the best times to schedule calls between Central US and UK?
Due to the 6-hour difference, overlapping business hours are limited but exist. Morning meetings (8-11 AM CDT) correspond to 2-5 PM BST (working hours). Afternoon meetings (3-5 PM CDT) correspond to 9-11 PM BST (early evening). The best window is 9-11 AM CDT (3-5 PM BST) for both regions.
Why is CDT to BST conversion important for business?
Chicago, Dallas, and Houston are major business hubs with significant connections to London, the UK's financial center. Industries like finance, technology, energy, and consulting require constant coordination. Many multinational companies have offices in both regions, making accurate timezone conversion critical.
How does the time difference change during transitions?
Both CDT and BST are daylight saving time zones but with different transition dates. From late March to early November when both are active, the difference is 6 hours. Before late March and after early November, you'll be converting to GMT or CST, changing the calculation. Always verify the exact dates.
Pro Tips
- • CDT to BST is 6 hours during summer months (late March to early November). This is one of the more complex transatlantic conversions due to different transition dates.
- • The best meeting window for Central US-UK coordination is 9-11 AM CDT (3-5 PM BST). This catches both regions during standard business hours.
- • Use the 10 AM CDT slot (4 PM BST) for important meetings when both regions are fully engaged in their workdays.
- • London is a global financial center; many US Central companies have dedicated UK liaison teams with early morning or shifted schedules.
- • Late afternoon Central meetings (4-5 PM CDT) reach London at 10-11 PM, often too late for UK business discussions.
- • Always mark your calendar with both CDT and BST transition dates, as they differ by about a week, changing the effective time difference.
Update Logs
View the latest updates and features