CET to CST Converter
Convert time between Central European Time (CET) and Central Standard Time (CST)
Central European Time (CET)
Central Standard Time (CST)
Time Difference
Central Standard Time (CST) is 0 hours ahead of Central European Time (CET)
Select Date
Select Time
Quick Reference
| CET | CST |
|---|---|
| 03:00 | 20:00 |
| 05:00 | 22:00 |
| 07:00 | 00:00 |
| 09:00 | 02:00 |
| 11:00 | 04:00 |
| 13:00 | 06:00 |
| 15:00 | 08:00 |
| 17:00 | 10:00 |
| 19:00 | 12:00 |
| 21:00 | 14:00 |
| 23:00 | 16:00 |
| 01:00 | 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 CET to CST Time Conversion
Converting time between Central European Time (CET) and Central Standard Time (CST) is essential for coordinating between Europe and the Central United States. CET is UTC+1 (observed November to March), while CST is UTC-6 (observed November to March). CET is 7 hours ahead of CST. From March to October, Europe observes CEST (UTC+2) and the Central US observes CDT (UTC-5), maintaining the 7-hour difference.
This conversion is crucial for businesses coordinating between European operations and the Central US region (including Texas, Illinois, Missouri). Our converter automatically handles seasonal daylight saving time transitions and accounts for the different transition dates between Europe and North America.
Common Use Cases for CET to CST Conversion
Business & Work
- Scheduling meetings between European and Central US teams
- Coordinating international business operations across time zones
- Planning conference calls between European offices and Houston or Chicago headquarters
Personal & Travel
- Coordinating with family and friends in the Central US
- Planning travel between Europe and Central United States
- Organizing virtual events with participants in both regions
Time Zone Information
Central European Time (CET)
- UTC Offset: UTC+1 (UTC+2 during CEST)
- IANA Timezone: Europe/Paris
- Daylight Saving: Last Sunday in March to Last Sunday in October
- Major Cities: Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Brussels, Vienna, Madrid, Rome
- Coverage: Central and Western Europe, including most EU countries
Central Standard Time (CST)
- UTC Offset: UTC-6 (UTC-5 during CDT)
- IANA Timezone: America/Chicago
- Daylight Saving: Second Sunday in March to First Sunday in November
- Major Cities: Chicago, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, New Orleans
- Coverage: Central United States and parts of Canada and Mexico
Quick Reference: CET to CST
Remember: CET is always 7 hours ahead of CST (varies briefly during daylight saving transitions)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between CET and CST?
Central European Time (CET) is UTC+1, while Central Standard Time (CST) is UTC-6. CET is 7 hours ahead of CST. CET is observed in Europe from November to March, while CST is observed in the US Central region during the same period. From March to October, Europe observes CEST (UTC+2) and the Central US observes CDT (UTC-5), maintaining the 7-hour difference.
When do CET and CST overlap?
CET and CST both exist during winter months (November to March). From March to October, Europe observes CEST and the Central US observes CDT, so the difference remains 7 hours. The transition dates differ slightly: Europe transitions on the last Sunday of March and October, while the US Central region transitions on the second Sunday of March and first Sunday of November.
How do I convert CET to CST?
To convert from CET to CST, subtract 7 hours from the CET time. For example, if it is 12:00 PM CET, it would be 5:00 AM CST. Note that from March to October, when CEST and CDT are active, the difference remains 7 hours. Be aware of the brief transition periods where the difference may temporarily be 6 or 8 hours.
Which cities are in the CET timezone?
Major cities in the Central European Time zone include Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Brussels, Vienna, Prague, Madrid, and Rome. This region covers most of Western and Central Europe, including most European Union countries and several others.
Which cities are in the CST timezone?
Major cities in the Central Standard Time zone include Chicago, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, New Orleans, and Memphis. This region covers the central United States and parts of Canada and Mexico. From March to October, most of these cities observe CDT (Central Daylight Time).
How does daylight saving time affect CET to CST conversion?
Both Europe and the Central US observe daylight saving time but on different dates. CET becomes CEST on the last Sunday of March and reverts on the last Sunday of October. CST becomes CDT on the second Sunday of March and reverts on the first Sunday of November. This creates brief periods (1-2 weeks) where the time difference is 6 or 8 hours instead of the usual 7 hours.
Pro Tips
- • CET is 7 hours ahead of CST - when it is noon in Paris, it is 5 AM in Chicago.
- • Europe and the US Central region change clocks on different dates, creating transition periods.
- • CEST (UTC+2) is 7 hours ahead of CDT (UTC-5), maintaining consistent time difference during summer.
- • For business calls between Europe and the Central US, consider finding times that work for both regions.
- • The last Sunday of March and October are key dates when Europe transitions daylight saving time.
- • Use UTC as a reference point to avoid confusion during daylight saving time transition periods.