Timezone Tool
Central Time Now
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Central Time
CT
UTC-6 / UTC-5
Quick Answer
The current Central Time is 02:23 AM on Tuesday, May 26, 2026
CST vs CDT — What's the Difference?
Central Standard Time (CST) and Central Daylight Time (CDT) are the two modes of the US Central Time Zone. CST (UTC-6) is used during standard time (November–March), while CDT (UTC-5) is used during daylight saving time (March–November). The IANA identifier America/Chicago handles both automatically.
Where Is Central Time Used?
Central Time is used across the central United States including Illinois, Texas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri, and more. Major cities include Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Minneapolis, New Orleans, and Kansas City. Parts of Canada (Winnipeg) and Mexico (Mexico City) also observe Central Time.
Common Use Cases
- Remote meetings — scheduling calls between Central Time offices and East or West Coast teams
- Business calls — coordinating with Chicago, Dallas, or Houston headquarters across time zones
- Travel planning — confirming flight times at O'Hare, DFW, or Minneapolis-St. Paul airports
- Event scheduling — livestreams, webinars, and sports events broadcast in Central Time
- International coordination — converting CT for calls with London (6h ahead) or Tokyo (15h ahead)