CDT to EDT Converter
Convert time between Central Daylight Time (CDT) and Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
Central Daylight Time (CDT)
Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
Time Difference
Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) is 0 hours ahead of Central Daylight Time (CDT)
Select Date
Select Time
Quick Reference
| CDT | EDT |
|---|---|
| 20:00 | 21:00 |
| 22:00 | 23:00 |
| 00:00 | 01:00 |
| 02:00 | 03:00 |
| 04:00 | 05:00 |
| 06:00 | 07:00 |
| 08:00 | 09:00 |
| 10:00 | 11:00 |
| 12:00 | 13:00 |
| 14:00 | 15:00 |
| 16:00 | 17:00 |
| 18:00 | 19:00 |
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 EDT Time Conversion
Converting time between Central Daylight Time (CDT) and Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) is essential for coordinating across the US during daylight saving time months (March to November). CDT is UTC-5 and EDT is UTC-4, making EDT 1 hour ahead of CDT. This is a straightforward one-hour difference during the daylight saving season when both zones are observing daylight time.
This converter uses the IANA timezone database to ensure accurate calculations during the daylight saving time period. Whether you're scheduling business meetings between Central and Eastern regions, planning travel, or coordinating distributed teams, this tool provides reliable real-time conversions for Central and Eastern coordination.
Common Use Cases for CDT to EDT Conversion
Business & Work
- Scheduling meetings between Central and Eastern regions during daylight hours
- Coordinating with New York, Boston, and Atlanta business offices
- Managing distributed US teams across Central and Eastern time zones
- Planning conference calls and webinars across coasts
Personal & Travel
- Planning travel between Central and Eastern regions
- Coordinating with family and friends across time zones
- Scheduling virtual events during daylight saving season
- Understanding broadcast and live event times
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
Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
- UTC Offset: UTC-4
- IANA Timezone: America/New_York
- Daylight Saving: Second Sunday in March to First Sunday in November
- Major Cities: New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Miami
- Coverage: Eastern United States and Eastern Canada
Quick Reference: CDT to EDT
Note: EDT is always 1 hour ahead of CDT (March - November)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between CDT and EDT?
Central Daylight Time (CDT) is UTC-5, while Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) is UTC-4. This means EDT is 1 hour ahead of CDT. When you have 8:00 AM in Chicago (CDT), it's 9:00 AM in New York (EDT).
Why is the difference only 1 hour when they're so far apart geographically?
While Chicago and New York are about 790 miles apart, they observe daylight saving time on the same dates and in the same manner. Both zones span roughly 15 degrees of longitude, and the difference is just 1 hour. The larger geographic distance is why PST to EST is 3 hours, but within the daylight saving zones, it's manageable.
When do CDT and EDT transitions occur?
Both CDT and EDT follow the same daylight saving time schedule. They both begin on the second Sunday in March and end on the first Sunday in November. This means they maintain a consistent 1-hour difference throughout the year, making scheduling between these zones predictable.
What are the best times to schedule calls between Central and Eastern regions?
Business hour overlap is excellent due to the 1-hour difference. Central morning (9 AM CDT) corresponds to Eastern morning (10 AM EDT). The entire business day has good overlap. Even 8 AM CDT (9 AM EDT) or 5 PM CDT (6 PM EDT) provide reasonable times for both regions.
Why is the CDT to EDT conversion important for business?
The Central and Eastern regions are home to major business hubs. Chicago, Dallas, and Houston in Central time coordinate with New York, Boston, and Atlanta in Eastern time. These are some of the largest economic centers in North America, making Central-Eastern coordination critical for finance, technology, and corporate operations.
Do all of Central and Eastern US observe daylight time?
Most of Central and Eastern US observe daylight saving time. However, parts of Indiana, Michigan, and a few other areas have different observances. Additionally, some US territories do not observe daylight saving time. Always verify specific cities during transitions to avoid scheduling errors.
Pro Tips
- • The 1-hour CDT to EDT difference is ideal for business coordination. Early morning meetings (8-9 AM CDT) work well for both regions.
- • Both regions transition on the same dates (second Sunday in March and first Sunday in November), so the 1-hour difference remains consistent throughout the year.
- • Schedule morning calls (9-11 AM CDT) for 10 AM-12 PM EDT to catch both regions during peak productivity hours.
- • Afternoon meetings (3-5 PM CDT) correspond to 4-6 PM EDT, giving Central team flexibility while accommodating Eastern time.
- • Use the 2-3 PM CDT window (3-4 PM EDT) for urgent Central-Eastern discussions when both regions are most alert.
- • Always convert meeting times clearly in both CDT and EDT to prevent scheduling errors, especially during the transition weeks in March and November.
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