CST is 1 hour ahead of MST all year. So 12:00 PM MDT = 1:00 PM CDT. (Mountain Time is on MDT and Central Time is on CDT for daylight saving time right now.)
MST to CST conversion table
| MST / MDT | CST / CDT |
|---|---|
| 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 |
MST and CST difference through 2027
The gap between the two zones on each date range, including daylight saving time changes:
| Dates | Mountain Time | Central Time | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 30, 2026 – Oct 31, 2026 | MDT (UTC−6) | CDT (UTC−5) | CST 1 hour ahead |
| Nov 1, 2026 – Mar 13, 2027 | MST (UTC−7) | CST (UTC−6) | CST 1 hour ahead |
| Mar 14, 2027 – Nov 6, 2027 | MDT (UTC−6) | CDT (UTC−5) | CST 1 hour ahead |
| Nov 7, 2027 – Dec 31, 2027 | MST (UTC−7) | CST (UTC−6) | CST 1 hour ahead |
Best time to meet or call
- Working hours (9 AM–5 PM) overlap from 9:00 AM–4:00 PM MST (10:00 AM–5:00 PM CST), about 7 hours.
About Mountain Time (MST)
Mountain Time uses MST (UTC−7) in winter and MDT (UTC−6) in summer. Most of Arizona stays on MST all year and does not change its clocks. It's used in Denver, Salt Lake City, Albuquerque, Boise, El Paso and Calgary.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What time is 12 PM MST in CST?
12:00 PM MDT is 1:00 PM CDT.
How many hours ahead or behind is CST from MST?
CST is 1 hour ahead of MST, all year.
Does MST change for daylight saving time?
Yes. Mountain Time uses MST (UTC−7) in winter and MDT (UTC−6) in summer. Most of Arizona stays on MST all year and does not change its clocks.
Does CST change for daylight saving time?
Yes. Central Time uses CST (UTC−6) in winter and CDT (UTC−5) during daylight saving time.
What is the best time for a call between MST and CST?
Right now, working hours overlap from 9:00 AM–4:00 PM MST (10:00 AM–5:00 PM CST), about 7 hours.
Is it MST or MDT right now?
Mountain Time uses MST in winter and MDT 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.