CDT to CST
-1hCDT
CDTSOURCECST
CSTGreen rows indicate typical business hours (9 AM - 5 PM)
CDT and CST on the World Map
The map below highlights the CDT (Central Daylight Time) and CST (Central Standard Time) timezone regions across the globe.
CDT – Central Daylight Time
UTC-05:00Central Daylight Time (CDT) is the daylight saving offset in the Central Time Zone, 5 hours behind UTC.
- •CDT is the same offset as EST (UTC-05:00), which can cause confusion.
- •CDT runs from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November.
CST – Central Standard Time
UTC-06:00Central Standard Time (CST) is the time zone for the central United States, Canada, and Mexico, 6 hours behind UTC.
- •CST covers 20 US states fully or partially.
- •Chicago and Houston are the two largest cities in the Central Time Zone.
- •Mexico City, one of the world's most populous cities, operates on CST.
- •CST is 1 hour behind EST and 2 hours ahead of PST.
CDT to CST Time Difference – Complete Guide
CDT runs on Central Daylight Time (CDT) at UTC-05:00. CST runs on Central Standard Time (CST) at UTC-06:00. That puts CDT 1 hour behind CST — a difference of -1h at the current offsets.
In practice, when it is 9:00 AM in CDT it is 8:00 AM in CST. Midnight in CDT is 11:00 PM in CST. Neither zone observes daylight saving time, so the offset between them stays constant all year.
CDT to CST time conversion table
| CDT (CDT) | CST (CST) | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 AM | 11:00 PM | previous day |
| 6:00 AM | 5:00 AM | same day |
| 7:00 AM | 6:00 AM | same day |
| 8:00 AM | 7:00 AM | same day |
| 9:00 AM | 8:00 AM | same day |
| 12:00 PM | 11:00 AM | same day |
| 3:00 PM | 2:00 PM | same day |
| 5:00 PM | 4:00 PM | same day |
| 6:00 PM | 5:00 PM | same day |
| 9:00 PM | 8:00 PM | same day |
Why people convert CDT to CST time
- Scheduling a call from CDT to CST: a 10:00 AM start in CDT lands at 9:00 AM in CST, so you can confirm the slot without doing the arithmetic yourself.
- Finding shared working hours: both CDT and CST are inside the 9-to-5 working day between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM CDT time (9:00 AM–4:00 PM CST). That is roughly 7 hours of usable overlap.
- Booking travel or deliveries: tracking CST local time against CDT keeps pickup windows and arrival estimates honest across the -1h offset.
- Always state the zone abbreviation, not just the hour. "3:00 PM CDT" is unambiguous; "3 PM" across a -1h gap is not.
- Block 10:00 AM–5:00 PM CDT as the recurring meeting window if you work primarily from CDT and need CST colleagues present.
About CDT (Central Daylight Time)
Central Daylight Time (CDT) is observed during summer months in the US and Canadian portions of the Central Time Zone. Clocks are moved forward by one hour, aligning with Eastern Standard Time (EST). Most of Mexico and Central America do not observe CDT, staying on CST year-round.
About CST (Central Standard Time)
Central Standard Time (CST) covers the central region of North America. It is the second most populous time zone in the US, including major cities like Chicago, Houston, and Dallas. CST is also used in Mexico City and much of Central America including Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Costa Rica. During summer, most of the US and Canada switch to Central Daylight Time (CDT, UTC-05:00), while Mexico and Central American countries generally remain on CST.
Best time to call between CDT and CST
Both CDT and CST sit inside the 9 AM – 5 PM working day between 10:00 AM–5:00 PM CDT, which is 9:00 AM–4:00 PM CST. That gives roughly 7 hours of shared time — the safest window for a live call or meeting.
Business hours overlap
CDT and CST share 7 hours of working-hours overlap (10:00 AM–5:00 PM CDT), so scheduling a live meeting is straightforward.
CDT is 1 hour behind CST (CDT UTC-05:00 → CST UTC-06:00). The shared working window is 10:00 AM–5:00 PM CDT. Remember to re-check around daylight-saving transitions.
🕐 Daylight Saving Time Info
CDT
☀ Currently in DST
Standard: UTC-06:00 · DST: UTC-05:00
Clocks fall back on Sun, Nov 1, 2026
CST
☀ Currently in DST
Standard: UTC-06:00 · DST: UTC-05:00
Clocks fall back on Sun, Nov 1, 2026
Learn More About Time
Dive deeper into the fascinating world of timekeeping, time zones, and how they shape our global society:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between CDT and CST?
CDT (CDT, UTC-05:00) is 1 hour behind CST (CST, UTC-06:00). The gap is currently -1h.
How do I convert CDT time to CST time?
Add -1h to CDT local time. For example, 9:00 AM in CDT is 8:00 AM in CST.
What time is it in CST right now?
CST uses CST at UTC-06:00. Use the live converter at the top of this page — it updates in real time and already accounts for the -1h offset from CDT.
What is the best time to call CST from CDT?
Call between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM CDT — that maps to 9:00 AM–4:00 PM CST and keeps both parties inside the working day.
Which is behind, CDT or CST?
CDT is 1 hour behind CST. When it is 12:00 PM in CDT it is 11:00 AM in CST.
Does daylight saving time affect the CDT–CST difference?
Neither zone observes daylight saving time, so the -1h offset between CDT and CST is fixed all year.
Which other cities share CDT's time zone?
CDT also covers Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Austin, Winnipeg, Nashville.
Which countries use CDT, CDT's zone?
CDT is used in United States (Central), Canada (Manitoba).
Is there a day difference between CDT and CST?
Not normally. The -1h gap only pushes the date over the previous day.
What is the time difference between CDT and CST?
CST is -1h from CDT.
What timezone is CDT in?
CDT operates on its local timezone.
What timezone is CST in?
CST operates on its local timezone.
Which countries use CDT (Central Daylight Time)?
CDT is used in United States (Central), Canada (Manitoba).
Does CDT observe daylight saving time?
Yes, CDT switches to CST during summer months.
What are some interesting facts about CDT?
CDT is the same offset as EST (UTC-05:00), which can cause confusion. CDT runs from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November.
Which cities are in the CST timezone?
Major cities in the CST timezone include Chicago, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Mexico City, Austin, Winnipeg, Memphis.
What is the UTC offset for CST?
Central Standard Time (CST) is at UTC-06:00. During daylight saving time, it shifts to CDT.
What should I know about the CST timezone?
CST covers 20 US states fully or partially. Chicago and Houston are the two largest cities in the Central Time Zone.
When is it midnight in CDT, what time is it in CST?
When it is 12:00 AM (midnight) in CDT (CDT), it is -1h later in CST (CST).
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See every conversion from CDT →·See every conversion from CST →