BNL24Live Time, Dates & Countdowns

EST to CET: Convert Eastern Time to Central European Time

Central European Time is 6 hours ahead of Eastern Time right now (until Oct 24, 2026); the gap changes to 5 hours when clocks change for daylight saving time. Convert any time below, or use the full EST to CET conversion table.

Eastern Time (EST/EDT)
–
Central European Time (CET/CEST)
–
–

Quick answer

Central European Time is 6 hours ahead of Eastern Time right now (until Oct 24, 2026); the gap changes to 5 hours when clocks change for daylight saving time. So 12:00 PM EDT = 6:00 PM CEST at the moment. (Eastern Time is on EDT and Central European Time is on CEST for daylight saving time right now.)

EST to CET conversion table

ESTCEST when EST is EDTCET when EST is EDT
12:00 AM6:00 AM5:00 AM
1:00 AM7:00 AM6:00 AM
2:00 AM8:00 AM7:00 AM
3:00 AM9:00 AM8:00 AM
4:00 AM10:00 AM9:00 AM
5:00 AM11:00 AM10:00 AM
6:00 AM12:00 PM11:00 AM
7:00 AM1:00 PM12:00 PM
8:00 AM2:00 PM1:00 PM
9:00 AM3:00 PM2:00 PM
10:00 AM4:00 PM3:00 PM
11:00 AM5:00 PM4:00 PM
12:00 PM6:00 PM5:00 PM
1:00 PM7:00 PM6:00 PM
2:00 PM8:00 PM7:00 PM
3:00 PM9:00 PM8:00 PM
4:00 PM10:00 PM9:00 PM
5:00 PM11:00 PM10:00 PM
6:00 PM12:00 AM +1 day11:00 PM
7:00 PM1:00 AM +1 day12:00 AM +1 day
8:00 PM2:00 AM +1 day1:00 AM +1 day
9:00 PM3:00 AM +1 day2:00 AM +1 day
10:00 PM4:00 AM +1 day3:00 AM +1 day
11:00 PM5:00 AM +1 day4:00 AM +1 day

EST and CET difference through 2027

The gap between the two zones on each date range, including daylight saving time changes:

DatesEastern TimeCentral European TimeDifference
Sep 30, 2026 – Oct 24, 2026EDT (UTC−4)CEST (UTC+2)CET 6 hours ahead
Oct 25, 2026 – Oct 31, 2026EDT (UTC−4)CET (UTC+1)CET 5 hours ahead
Nov 1, 2026 – Mar 13, 2027EST (UTC−5)CET (UTC+1)CET 6 hours ahead
Mar 14, 2027 – Mar 27, 2027EDT (UTC−4)CET (UTC+1)CET 5 hours ahead
Mar 28, 2027 – Oct 30, 2027EDT (UTC−4)CEST (UTC+2)CET 6 hours ahead
Oct 31, 2027 – Nov 6, 2027EDT (UTC−4)CET (UTC+1)CET 5 hours ahead
Nov 7, 2027 – Dec 31, 2027EST (UTC−5)CET (UTC+1)CET 6 hours ahead

Best time to meet or call

  • When CET is 6 hours ahead of EST: Working hours (9 AM–5 PM) overlap from 9:00 AM–11:00 AM EST (3:00 PM–5:00 PM CET), about 2 hours.
  • When CET is 5 hours ahead of EST: Working hours (9 AM–5 PM) overlap from 9:00 AM–12:00 PM EST (2:00 PM–5:00 PM CET), about 3 hours.

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.

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.

Frequently asked questions

What time is 12 PM EST in CET?

12:00 PM EDT is 6:00 PM CEST 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 CET from EST?

Currently 6 hours ahead of EST. During the year the difference is 6 hours ahead of EST or 5 hours ahead of EST, depending on daylight saving time. See the table on this page for exact dates.

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.

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.

What is the best time for a call between EST and CET?

Right now, working hours overlap from 9:00 AM–11:00 AM EST (3:00 PM–5:00 PM CET), about 2 hours.

Is it EST or EDT right now?

Eastern Time uses EST in winter and EDT 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

Sources

Reviewed by Gurmej Singh, Founder, Divy Digital Hub · Last reviewed: Wednesday, September 30, 2026. All calculations run in your browser. Editorial policy.