Eastern Time is 6 hours behind Central European Time right now (until Oct 24, 2026); the gap changes to 5 hours when clocks change for daylight saving time. So 12:00 PM CEST = 6:00 AM EDT at the moment. (Central European Time is on CEST and Eastern Time is on EDT for daylight saving time right now.)
CET to EST conversion table
| CET | EDT when CET is CEST | EDT when CET is CET |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 AM | 6:00 PM −1 day | 7:00 PM −1 day |
| 1:00 AM | 7:00 PM −1 day | 8:00 PM −1 day |
| 2:00 AM | 8:00 PM −1 day | 9:00 PM −1 day |
| 3:00 AM | 9:00 PM −1 day | 10:00 PM −1 day |
| 4:00 AM | 10:00 PM −1 day | 11:00 PM −1 day |
| 5:00 AM | 11:00 PM −1 day | 12:00 AM |
| 6:00 AM | 12:00 AM | 1:00 AM |
| 7:00 AM | 1:00 AM | 2:00 AM |
| 8:00 AM | 2:00 AM | 3:00 AM |
| 9:00 AM | 3:00 AM | 4:00 AM |
| 10:00 AM | 4:00 AM | 5:00 AM |
| 11:00 AM | 5:00 AM | 6:00 AM |
| 12:00 PM | 6:00 AM | 7:00 AM |
| 1:00 PM | 7:00 AM | 8:00 AM |
| 2:00 PM | 8:00 AM | 9:00 AM |
| 3:00 PM | 9:00 AM | 10:00 AM |
| 4:00 PM | 10:00 AM | 11:00 AM |
| 5:00 PM | 11:00 AM | 12:00 PM |
| 6:00 PM | 12:00 PM | 1:00 PM |
| 7:00 PM | 1:00 PM | 2:00 PM |
| 8:00 PM | 2:00 PM | 3:00 PM |
| 9:00 PM | 3:00 PM | 4:00 PM |
| 10:00 PM | 4:00 PM | 5:00 PM |
| 11:00 PM | 5:00 PM | 6:00 PM |
CET and EST difference through 2027
The gap between the two zones on each date range, including daylight saving time changes:
| Dates | Central European Time | Eastern Time | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 30, 2026 – Oct 24, 2026 | CEST (UTC+2) | EDT (UTC−4) | EST 6 hours behind |
| Oct 25, 2026 – Oct 31, 2026 | CET (UTC+1) | EDT (UTC−4) | EST 5 hours behind |
| Nov 1, 2026 – Mar 13, 2027 | CET (UTC+1) | EST (UTC−5) | EST 6 hours behind |
| Mar 14, 2027 – Mar 27, 2027 | CET (UTC+1) | EDT (UTC−4) | EST 5 hours behind |
| Mar 28, 2027 – Oct 30, 2027 | CEST (UTC+2) | EDT (UTC−4) | EST 6 hours behind |
| Oct 31, 2027 – Nov 6, 2027 | CET (UTC+1) | EDT (UTC−4) | EST 5 hours behind |
| Nov 7, 2027 – Dec 31, 2027 | CET (UTC+1) | EST (UTC−5) | EST 6 hours behind |
Best time to meet or call
- When EST is 6 hours behind CET: Working hours (9 AM–5 PM) overlap from 3:00 PM–5:00 PM CET (9:00 AM–11:00 AM EST), about 2 hours.
- When EST is 5 hours behind CET: Working hours (9 AM–5 PM) overlap from 2:00 PM–5:00 PM CET (9:00 AM–12:00 PM EST), about 3 hours.
About Central European Time (CET)
Central Europe uses CET (UTC+1) in winter and CEST (UTC+2) from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October. It's used in Paris, Berlin, Rome, Madrid, Amsterdam, Brussels, Vienna and Warsaw.
About Eastern Time (EST)
The Eastern time zone uses EST (UTC−5) in winter and EDT (UTC−4) during daylight saving time, from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November. It's used in New York, Washington DC, Boston, Atlanta, Miami, Detroit and Toronto.
Frequently asked questions
What time is 12 PM CET in EST?
12:00 PM CEST is 6:00 AM EDT right now (Sep 30, 2026 to Oct 24, 2026). The answer changes when either zone changes its clocks for daylight saving time.
How many hours ahead or behind is EST from CET?
Currently 6 hours behind CET. During the year the difference is 6 hours behind CET or 5 hours behind CET, depending on daylight saving time. See the table on this page for exact dates.
Does CET change for daylight saving time?
Yes. Central Europe uses CET (UTC+1) in winter and CEST (UTC+2) from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October.
Does EST change for daylight saving time?
Yes. The Eastern time zone uses EST (UTC−5) in winter and EDT (UTC−4) during daylight saving time, from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November.
What is the best time for a call between CET and EST?
Right now, working hours overlap from 3:00 PM–5:00 PM CET (9:00 AM–11:00 AM EST), about 2 hours.
More time zone conversions
- EST to CET (reverse)
- PST to EST
- CST to EST
- MST to EST
- IST to EST
- GMT to EST
- UTC to EST
- AEST to EST
- JST to EST
- All time zones
Sources
Reviewed by Gurmej Singh, Founder, Divy Digital Hub · Last reviewed: Wednesday, September 30, 2026. All calculations run in your browser. Editorial policy.