CET to BST Converter
Convert time between Central European Time (CET) and British Summer Time (BST)
Central European Time (CET)
British Summer Time (BST)
Time Difference
British Summer Time (BST) is 0 hours ahead of Central European Time (CET)
Select Date
Select Time
Quick Reference
| CET | BST |
|---|---|
| 03:00 | 02:00 |
| 05:00 | 04:00 |
| 07:00 | 06:00 |
| 09:00 | 08:00 |
| 11:00 | 10:00 |
| 13:00 | 12:00 |
| 15:00 | 14:00 |
| 17:00 | 16:00 |
| 19:00 | 18:00 |
| 21:00 | 20:00 |
| 23:00 | 22:00 |
| 01:00 | 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 CET to BST Time Conversion
Converting time between Central European Time (CET) and British Summer Time (BST) is essential for coordinating activities between Continental Europe and the United Kingdom during summer months. CET is UTC+1 in winter and UTC+2 (CEST) in summer, while BST is UTC+1 during summer (March to October). The time difference depends on the season: when both regions observe daylight time (CEST and BST), they are actually on the same UTC offset (both UTC+1), creating zero difference!
This converter is particularly useful for summer business coordination between European capitals (Paris, Berlin, Vienna) and UK cities (London, Manchester, Edinburgh). Both regions observe daylight saving time, transitioning on the last Sunday of March and October. The interesting aspect of CET-BST is that during summer, Continental Europe (CEST, UTC+2) is 1 hour ahead of the UK (BST, UTC+1).
Common Use Cases for CET to BST Conversion
Business & Work
- Scheduling meetings between Continental Europe and UK offices during summer
- Coordinating transatlantic business operations between Europe and Britain
- Planning conference calls and webinars for Europe-UK audiences
- Managing international projects with UK and Continental European teams
- Handling customer support handoffs between European and UK operations
Personal & Travel
- Planning travel between Continental Europe and the UK during summer
- Coordinating with family and friends in the UK
- Scheduling summer events and meetings across the English Channel
- Booking services and appointments across Continental Europe and UK
- Managing time zones for international relationships
Time Zone Information
Central European Time (CET)
- UTC Offset: UTC+1 (UTC+2 during CEST in summer)
- IANA Timezone: Europe/Paris
- Daylight Saving: CEST (UTC+2) active from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October
- Major Cities: Paris, Berlin, Vienna, Prague, Amsterdam, Brussels, Milan, Madrid
- Coverage: Central and Western Europe including France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and more
British Summer Time (BST)
- UTC Offset: UTC+1 (summer time, March to October)
- IANA Timezone: Europe/London
- Daylight Saving: BST active from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October
- Major Cities: London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Belfast
- Coverage: United Kingdom and Ireland
Quick Reference: CET to BST
During winter: CET (UTC+1) is 1 hour ahead of GMT (UTC+0). During summer: CEST (UTC+2) is 1 hour ahead of BST (UTC+1). Both transitions occur on the same dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between CET and BST?
The time difference between CET and BST depends on the season. During winter, CET is UTC+1 and GMT is UTC+0, making CET 1 hour ahead. During summer, CEST is UTC+2 and BST is UTC+1, making CEST still 1 hour ahead. When both regions are observing daylight time during summer months (CEST and BST), the time difference is 1 hour with Continental Europe being ahead.
When is BST active?
British Summer Time (BST) is active from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October. During this period, the UK observes BST (UTC+1). Outside these months, the UK observes Greenwich Mean Time (GMT, UTC+0). Both transitions occur on the same dates as Continental Europe's daylight saving time changes.
Why is CET-BST conversion important?
CET-BST conversion is essential for coordinating business and personal activities between Continental Europe and the United Kingdom. The UK is a major business, finance, and cultural center, and the consistent 1-hour difference during summer months makes scheduling straightforward. This is crucial for companies with offices in both regions, international meetings, and travel planning.
Are the time transitions synchronized?
Yes! Both Continental Europe and the UK transition to daylight saving time on the same dates: the last Sunday in March and the last Sunday in October. This synchronized transition means the time relationship between CET/CEST and GMT/BST remains predictable and easy to manage throughout the year.
What are the best times to schedule calls between Continental Europe and UK?
Summer months offer excellent scheduling: 9 AM CEST is 8 AM BST, perfect for morning meetings. 3 PM CEST is 2 PM BST, ideal for afternoon discussions. The consistent 1-hour difference during summer makes it easy to coordinate across the English Channel. Winter scheduling is also simple with the same 1-hour offset.
Which cities are in the CET and BST zones?
CET/CEST major cities include Paris, Berlin, Vienna, Prague, Amsterdam, Brussels, Milan, and Madrid. BST major cities include London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Belfast. These regions represent the core of Western European business and culture, making CET-BST coordination crucial for transatlantic operations.
Pro Tips
- • The time difference is consistent: 1 hour with Continental Europe ahead of the UK, both in winter and summer.
- • Both regions transition on the same dates (last Sunday of March and October), so the relationship never changes in timing.
- • Morning meetings work perfectly: 9-10 AM CEST is 8-9 AM BST, good timing for early meetings without extreme hours.
- • Afternoon meetings also align well: 3-5 PM CEST is 2-4 PM BST, allowing both regions to participate during business hours.
- • Winter and summer scheduling are equally convenient. The 1-hour offset remains constant regardless of daylight saving transitions.
- • Major business hubs: Continental Europe has Paris, Berlin, Vienna; UK has London and Manchester. The small time difference makes multinational coordination seamless.
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