EDT to CST Converter
Convert time between Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) and Central Standard Time (CST)
Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
Central Standard Time (CST)
Time Difference
Central Standard Time (CST) is 0 hours ahead of Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
Select Date
Select Time
Quick Reference
| EDT | CST |
|---|---|
| 21:00 | 20:00 |
| 23:00 | 22:00 |
| 01:00 | 00:00 |
| 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 |
Related Time Zone Conversions
About EDT to CST Time Conversion
Converting time between Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) and Central Standard Time (CST) is essential for coordinating activities across these North American time zones. EDT is UTC-4 (during daylight saving), while CST is UTC-6, making CST 2 hours behind EDT during their respective seasons.
This conversion is particularly important for business coordination between East Coast and Central region teams. Note that EDT and CST are only simultaneous during spring (March-May) and fall (October-November) when one zone has transitioned but the other has not. Our converter handles these seasonal complexities automatically.
Common Use Cases for EDT to CST Conversion
Business & Work
- Scheduling business meetings between East Coast and Central region offices
- Coordinating project deadlines across Eastern and Central time zones
- Planning conference calls between New York and Chicago teams
Personal & Travel
- Coordinating with family and friends in different time zones
- Planning travel between East Coast and Central region destinations
- Scheduling virtual events across different regions
Time Zone Information
Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
- UTC Offset: UTC-4 (EST is UTC-5)
- IANA Timezone: America/New_York
- Daylight Saving: Second Sunday in March to First Sunday in November
- Major Cities: New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Miami, Washington DC
- Coverage: Eastern United States and Eastern Canada
Central Standard Time (CST)
- UTC Offset: UTC-6 (CDT is UTC-5)
- 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: EDT to CST
Remember: CST is always 1 hour behind EDT
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between EDT and CST?
EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) is UTC-4, while CST (Central Standard Time) is UTC-6, making CST 2 hours behind EDT. However, these time zones are only in use simultaneously during spring and fall transitions. Most of the year, EDT is compared with CDT (Central Daylight Time, UTC-5), which is 1 hour behind EDT.
When do EDT and CST overlap, and when do they not?
EDT and CST are only simultaneous during brief periods during daylight saving transitions: typically mid-March to early May and early November to mid-November. During these windows, the Eastern zone has switched to daylight time but the Central zone has not yet. For the rest of the year, you'd typically be converting between EDT and CDT.
What is the difference between CST and CDT?
CST (Central Standard Time) is UTC-6 and used during winter (November to March). CDT (Central Daylight Time) is UTC-5 and used during daylight saving time (March to November). When comparing EDT to CST, you're looking at a 2-hour difference, but when comparing EDT to CDT, the difference is only 1 hour.
Which US cities are in the Central time zone?
Major cities in the Central time zone include Chicago, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, New Orleans, Memphis, St. Louis, Kansas City, and Denver. The Central time zone covers the central portion of the United States and extends into parts of Canada and Mexico.
How do I convert EDT to CST manually?
To convert EDT to CST, subtract 2 hours from the EDT time. For example, if it is 3:00 PM EDT, the corresponding CST time would be 1:00 PM (15:00 - 2 hours = 13:00). If the result is negative, add 24 hours and subtract 1 day.
Why is understanding EDT to CST conversion important?
Understanding EDT to CST conversion is crucial for business coordination between East Coast and Central region teams, travel planning, and scheduling across time zones. While the conversion may be temporary during seasonal transitions, accurate timezone awareness ensures reliable scheduling and communication across regions.
Pro Tips
- • Remember that EDT and CST only overlap during brief spring and fall periods. Most of the year, you'll be converting between EDT and CDT, which have a 1-hour difference instead of 2 hours.
- • When scheduling business meetings during March and early November (and early May), verify which time zone each party is observing to avoid confusion during the transition period.
- • Chicago observes Central time, which means it's always 1-2 hours behind New York depending on whether daylight saving is active or not.
- • Our converter automatically handles the complexities of daylight saving transitions, so you don't need to worry about manual calculation errors during these periods.
- • For international communication, it's often easier to reference UTC times to avoid confusion with regional time zone transitions.
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