EST to CST time difference
Right now US Central Time is 1 hour behind US Eastern Time: when it is 9:00 AM in US Eastern Time (EDT), it is 8:00 AM in US Central Time (CDT). Neither place uses daylight saving time, so the difference stays the same all year.
EST to CST conversion table
Every hour of the day in US Eastern Time and the matching time in US Central Time, for today, October 10, 2026.
| EST (US Eastern Time) | CST (US Central Time) |
|---|---|
| 12:00 AM | 11:00 PM (previous day) |
| 1:00 AM | 12:00 AM |
| 2:00 AM | 1:00 AM |
| 3:00 AM | 2:00 AM |
| 4:00 AM | 3:00 AM |
| 5:00 AM | 4:00 AM |
| 6:00 AM | 5:00 AM |
| 7:00 AM | 6:00 AM |
| 8:00 AM | 7:00 AM |
| 9:00 AM | 8:00 AM |
| 10:00 AM | 9:00 AM |
| 11:00 AM | 10:00 AM |
| 12:00 PM | 11:00 AM |
| 1:00 PM | 12:00 PM |
| 2:00 PM | 1:00 PM |
| 3:00 PM | 2:00 PM |
| 4:00 PM | 3:00 PM |
| 5:00 PM | 4:00 PM |
| 6:00 PM | 5:00 PM |
| 7:00 PM | 6:00 PM |
| 8:00 PM | 7:00 PM |
| 9:00 PM | 8:00 PM |
| 10:00 PM | 9:00 PM |
| 11:00 PM | 10:00 PM |
Scheduling tips
The gap is small, so normal working hours mostly overlap. When you share a time, write the zone with it, such as "9:00 AM EST", and remember that a time near midnight can fall on a different date on the other side.
Reverse: CST to EST. Other converters: EST to PKT · PKT to CST · EST to PST · EST to GMT · EST to IST · any time zone to your time
Frequently asked questions
What is the time difference between EST and CST?
Right now US Central Time is 1 hour behind US Eastern Time.
What time is it in US Central Time when it is 9 AM in US Eastern Time?
8:00 AM.
What is 8 PM EST in CST?
7:00 PM CDT.
Does the EST to CST difference change during the year?
No. Neither place changes its clocks, so the difference is the same all year.
How do I convert EST to CST?
Enter the EST time and date at the top. The converter applies the difference for that date, including daylight saving time.
What is 12 PM EST in CST?
11:00 AM today.
What is 6 PM EST in CST?
5:00 PM today.
What is the best time for a call between US Eastern Time and US Central Time?
Pick a time that is in working hours in both places; the hour-by-hour table on this page shows both clocks side by side.