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Central Time (CST / CDT)

Central Time is UTC−6 in winter (Central Standard Time) and UTC−5 in summer (Central Daylight Time). Manitoba used it until 2026; it now stays at UTC−5 all year.

Right now on Central Time
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CST / CDT · UTC−6 in winter, UTC−5 in summer

Key facts

Full nameCentral Time
CodeCST / CDT
UTC offsetUTC−6 in winter, UTC−5 in summer
Daylight savingYes

CST in winter, CDT in summer.

When the clocks change

Clocks go forward one hour at 2 AM on the second Sunday in March and back one hour at 2 AM on the first Sunday in November.

DateChangeNew offset
Mar 14, 2027Clocks go forward 1 hourUTC−5
Nov 7, 2027Clocks go back 1 hourUTC−6

Where it's used

Time in ChicagoTime in MinneapolisTime in DallasTime in Houston

One step west and east

Earlier · to the westBC Pacific Time–PCT · UTC−7 all yearBC Pacific Time is 1 hour behind Central Time in winter and 2 hours behind in summer.Earlier · to the westYukon Standard Time–MST · UTC−7 all yearYukon Standard Time is 1 hour behind Central Time in winter and 2 hours behind in summer.Earlier · to the westMountain Standard Time (no daylight saving)–MST · UTC−7 all yearMountain Standard Time (no daylight saving) is 1 hour behind Central Time in winter and 2 hours behind in summer.Earlier · to the westMountain Time–MST / MDT · UTC−7 / UTC−6Mountain Time is 1 hour behind Central Time all year.Later · to the eastManitoba Time–EST · UTC−5 all yearManitoba Time is 1 hour ahead of Central Time in winter and the same time in summer.Later · to the eastEastern Time–EST / EDT · UTC−5 / UTC−4Eastern Time is 1 hour ahead of Central Time all year.

Same time in winter

Alberta TimeCentral Standard Time (Saskatchewan)

Questions

What is Central Time?

Central Time is UTC−6 in winter (Central Standard Time) and UTC−5 in summer (Central Daylight Time). Manitoba used it until 2026; it now stays at UTC−5 all year.

What is the Central Time code?

CST in winter, CDT in summer.

Does Central Time change for daylight saving time?

Yes. Clocks go forward one hour at 2 AM on the second Sunday in March and back one hour at 2 AM on the first Sunday in November. The next changes are Mar 14, 2027 and Nov 7, 2027.

What is the difference between Central Time and BC Pacific Time?

BC Pacific Time is 1 hour behind Central Time in winter and 2 hours behind in summer.

What is the difference between Central Time and Yukon Standard Time?

Yukon Standard Time is 1 hour behind Central Time in winter and 2 hours behind in summer.

What is the difference between Central Time and Mountain Standard Time (no daylight saving)?

Mountain Standard Time (no daylight saving) is 1 hour behind Central Time in winter and 2 hours behind in summer.

What is the difference between Central Time and Mountain Time?

Mountain Time is 1 hour behind Central Time all year.