built:date

CST to CDT Converter

CDT is 1 hour ahead of CST. This converter turns any Central Standard Time (CST) time into Central Daylight Time (CDT) — just click the time or date to change it.

CDT and CDT are the same time
From
CDT

Now in Chicago: 12:53:55 PM CDT

On this date Chicago observes CDT. CST is in effect during standard-time (non-summer) months.

To
CDT

Now in Chicago: 12:53:55 PM CDT

Jump to:

Daylight saving notes

In the United States and Canada, daylight saving time runs from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November. That affects Central Standard Time (CST).

CST to CDT conversion chart

For example, a 9:00 AM CST meeting takes place at 10:00 AM CDT. Concretely, when Chicago (CST) and Chicago (CDT) set up a call, cDT is 1 hour ahead of CST.

Central Standard Time to Central Daylight Time conversion chart
CST timeCDT time
12:00 AM1:00 AM
1:00 AM2:00 AM
2:00 AM3:00 AM
3:00 AM4:00 AM
4:00 AM5:00 AM
5:00 AM6:00 AM
6:00 AM7:00 AM
7:00 AM8:00 AM
8:00 AM9:00 AM
9:00 AM10:00 AM
10:00 AM11:00 AM
11:00 AM12:00 PM
12:00 PM1:00 PM
1:00 PM2:00 PM
2:00 PM3:00 PM
3:00 PM4:00 PM
4:00 PM5:00 PM
5:00 PM6:00 PM
6:00 PM7:00 PM
7:00 PM8:00 PM
8:00 PM9:00 PM
9:00 PM10:00 PM
10:00 PM11:00 PM
11:00 PM12:00 AM+1 day

This chart uses the fixed CST and CDT offsets; the live converter above follows current daylight saving.

Convert CST to CDT Time Zone

A quick guide to CST → CDT: the time gap, the live clocks, scheduling tips, and how we keep it accurate.

How do I convert CST to CDT?

It takes three quick steps:

  1. Click the CST field on the left and pick the time you want to convert.
  2. The matching CDT time updates on the right automatically — there’s no button to press.
  3. Need a different day? Click the date field and the result follows, rolling over if it crosses midnight.

What is the time difference between CST and CDT?

CDT is 1 hour ahead of CST. In everyday terms, once you know the time on one side you just add 1 hour to get the other — so a call between Chicago and Chicago is always 1 hour apart.

What time is it in CDT right now?

Right now the time in Central Daylight Time (CDT) is Monday, June 29, 2026 · 12:53:55 PM. It ticks every second, so you’re always looking at the live CDT clock.

What time is it in CST right now?

And in Central Standard Time (CST), it’s currently Monday, June 29, 2026 · 11:53:55 AM. Compare the two and the 1 hour gap is easy to see.

What's the best time for a CST–CDT call?

For example, a 9:00 AM CST meeting takes place at 10:00 AM CDT. The trick is to aim for a slot that lands inside normal working hours on both sides. Once you’ve found a time, hit Share on the converter to copy a link with the time built in — easy to send to a colleague. Juggling three or more zones? The meeting planner highlights the hours that overlap for everyone.

How does daylight saving affect CST to CDT?

The labels CST and CDT are fixed offsets, so the result on this page is always exact. Both regions move their clocks for daylight saving on roughly the same weekends, so the 1 hour gap usually holds steady right through the year.

Why can you trust this CST to CDT converter?

Every conversion here is calculated from the IANA time zone database — the same source your phone, computer, and browser rely on. Plenty of tools hard-code a single offset, which quietly goes wrong whenever a region changes its rules or flips for daylight saving. We follow the real rules instead, so CST to CDT stays accurate for today and for any past or future date you type in.

Convert CST to other time zones

Convert to CDT from other time zones

Frequently asked questions

How many hours ahead of CST is CDT?

CDT is 1 hour ahead of CST — a fixed 1 hour difference, since both are fixed-offset labels.

What time is it in CDT when it's 12:00 PM CST?

When it's 12:00 PM (noon) CST, it's 1:00 PM CDT.

Do CST or CDT use daylight saving time?

Central Standard Time (CST) observes daylight saving, alternating with CDT; Central Daylight Time (CDT) observes daylight saving, alternating with CST.

Why might the real-world CST–CDT difference change during the year?

The labels CST and CDT are fixed offsets, so this converter is always exact. But Central Standard Time's region switches between standard and summer time, so for part of the year you may actually want CDT to CDT. Always check which label a region is currently using before you schedule.