PST to CST Converter
Convert time between Pacific Standard Time (PST) and Central Standard Time (CST)
Pacific Standard Time (PST)
Central Standard Time (CST)
Time Difference
Central Standard Time (CST) is 0 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time (PST)
Select Date
Select Time
Quick Reference
| PST | CST |
|---|---|
| 18:00 | 20:00 |
| 20:00 | 22:00 |
| 22:00 | 00:00 |
| 00:00 | 02:00 |
| 02:00 | 04:00 |
| 04:00 | 06:00 |
| 06:00 | 08:00 |
| 08:00 | 10:00 |
| 10:00 | 12:00 |
| 12:00 | 14:00 |
| 14:00 | 16:00 |
| 16:00 | 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 PST to CST Time Conversion
Converting time from Pacific Standard Time (PST) to Central Standard Time (CST) is important for West Coast to Midwest coordination. PST is UTC-8, while CST is UTC-6, making CST 2 hours ahead of PST.
This conversion is vital for business operations, financial markets, media coordination, and personal communications spanning the Pacific and Central time zones.
Common Use Cases for PST to CST Conversion
Business & Work
- Coordinating with Central region business partners
- Scheduling financial market activities
- Planning media releases and press conferences
Personal & Travel
- Arranging travel from West Coast to Midwest
- Coordinating with Central time zone family
- Planning virtual events for multi-timezone audiences
Time Zone Information
Pacific Standard Time (PST)
- UTC Offset: UTC-8 (UTC-7 during PDT)
- IANA Timezone: America/Los_Angeles
- Daylight Saving: Second Sunday in March to First Sunday in November
- Major Cities: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, San Diego, Portland
- Coverage: Pacific United States and Canada
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, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, New Orleans
- Coverage: Central United States and parts of Canada and Mexico
Quick Reference: PST to CST
Remember: CST is always 2 hours ahead of PST
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between PST and CST?
Pacific Standard Time (PST) is UTC-8, while Central Standard Time (CST) is UTC-6. This means CST is 2 hours ahead of PST. When it's 9:00 AM in Los Angeles (PST), it's 11:00 AM in Chicago (CST).
How does the PST to CST offset differ from other US timezones?
CST is 1 hour behind EST (Eastern) and 1 hour ahead of MST (Mountain). The 2-hour difference between PST and CST makes the Central region ideal for coordinating with West Coast operations, with approximately 2 hours separating business hours.
Does the time difference change during daylight saving time?
Yes, when both regions observe daylight saving time, the difference remains 2 hours (PDT to CDT). However, there are brief periods where only one region observes daylight saving, creating a 1-hour or 3-hour difference. Both regions change on the same dates (second Sunday in March and first Sunday in November).
When does PST/PDT change to CST/CDT?
Both Pacific and Central regions change on the same dates: second Sunday in March (spring forward) and first Sunday in November (fall back). This ensures the 2-hour offset remains consistent throughout the year.
What are the best times to schedule calls between PST and CST regions?
Business hour overlap is substantial due to only a 2-hour difference. Early morning in California (8-10 AM PST) overlaps with late morning in Chicago (10 AM-12 PM CST). Afternoon hours (2-4 PM PST) align with late afternoon (4-6 PM CST). Both regions have good working hours overlap, making collaboration easier than coast-to-coast communication.
Why do companies coordinate PST and CST operations?
The Pacific and Central regions are economic powerhouses. California houses tech companies, entertainment, and finance sectors. The Central region includes major hubs like Chicago, Dallas, and Houston. The 2-hour difference allows companies to operate efficiently with reasonable business hour overlap, enabling seamless coordination between West Coast technology and Midwest business operations.
Pro Tips
- • PST and CST changes occur on the same dates. When daylight saving time begins (second Sunday in March), both regions shift to PDT and CDT simultaneously, maintaining the 2-hour offset.
- • 9 AM CST equals 7 AM PST - perfect for Pacific teams to attend Central morning meetings without starting too early. This natural alignment is one of the best for US business coordination.
- • West Coast companies often schedule 8-9 AM PST stand-ups to catch Central team late mornings (10-11 AM CST), maximizing productivity for both regions.
- • Marketing campaigns and product launches can be coordinated with nearly simultaneous announcement times on both coasts, creating unified market impact.
- • Use the 12-2 PM CST window (10 AM-12 PM PST) for cross-regional strategic meetings when both teams are fresh and focused.
- • The 2-hour offset is comfortable for daily standups, status updates, and quick syncs. Schedule important decisions and complex discussions during peak hours (10 AM-4 PM in both zones).
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