EST is 1 hour ahead of CST all year. So 12:00 PM CDT = 1:00 PM EDT. (Central Time is on CDT and Eastern Time is on EDT for daylight saving time right now.)
CST to EST conversion table
| CST / CDT | EST / EDT |
|---|---|
| 12:00 AM | 1:00 AM |
| 1:00 AM | 2:00 AM |
| 2:00 AM | 3:00 AM |
| 3:00 AM | 4:00 AM |
| 4:00 AM | 5:00 AM |
| 5:00 AM | 6:00 AM |
| 6:00 AM | 7:00 AM |
| 7:00 AM | 8:00 AM |
| 8:00 AM | 9:00 AM |
| 9:00 AM | 10:00 AM |
| 10:00 AM | 11:00 AM |
| 11:00 AM | 12:00 PM |
| 12:00 PM | 1:00 PM |
| 1:00 PM | 2:00 PM |
| 2:00 PM | 3:00 PM |
| 3:00 PM | 4:00 PM |
| 4:00 PM | 5:00 PM |
| 5:00 PM | 6:00 PM |
| 6:00 PM | 7:00 PM |
| 7:00 PM | 8:00 PM |
| 8:00 PM | 9:00 PM |
| 9:00 PM | 10:00 PM |
| 10:00 PM | 11:00 PM |
| 11:00 PM | 12:00 AM +1 day |
CST and EST difference through 2027
The gap between the two zones on each date range, including daylight saving time changes:
| Dates | Central Time | Eastern Time | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 30, 2026 – Oct 31, 2026 | CDT (UTC−5) | EDT (UTC−4) | EST 1 hour ahead |
| Nov 1, 2026 – Mar 13, 2027 | CST (UTC−6) | EST (UTC−5) | EST 1 hour ahead |
| Mar 14, 2027 – Nov 6, 2027 | CDT (UTC−5) | EDT (UTC−4) | EST 1 hour ahead |
| Nov 7, 2027 – Dec 31, 2027 | CST (UTC−6) | EST (UTC−5) | EST 1 hour ahead |
Best time to meet or call
- Working hours (9 AM–5 PM) overlap from 9:00 AM–4:00 PM CST (10:00 AM–5:00 PM EST), about 7 hours.
About Central Time (CST)
Central Time uses CST (UTC−6) in winter and CDT (UTC−5) during daylight saving time. It's used in Chicago, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, New Orleans, Minneapolis and Winnipeg.
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 CST in EST?
12:00 PM CDT is 1:00 PM EDT.
How many hours ahead or behind is EST from CST?
EST is 1 hour ahead of CST, all year.
Does CST change for daylight saving time?
Yes. Central Time uses CST (UTC−6) in winter and CDT (UTC−5) during daylight saving time.
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 CST and EST?
Right now, working hours overlap from 9:00 AM–4:00 PM CST (10:00 AM–5:00 PM EST), about 7 hours.
Is it CST or CDT right now?
Central Time uses CST in winter and CDT from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November. The live clock on this page shows which one applies today.
More time zone conversions
- EST to CST (reverse)
- PST to EST
- MST to EST
- CST to PST
- CST to MST
- IST to EST
- CST to IST
- GMT to EST
- UTC 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.