CST to UTC Converter
UTC is 6 hours ahead of CST. 9:00 AM CST = 3:00 PM UTC.
UTC is 6 hours ahead of CST at the moment. To convert CST to UTC, add 6 hours to the CST time: 9:00 AM CST = 3:00 PM UTC.
CST (Central Time) is used in Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Minneapolis, New Orleans, Winnipeg; Mexico City and Central America use UTC−6 all year. UTC (UTC) is used in The world's time standard; used in aviation, computing and science.
CST here means North American Central Standard Time, not China Standard Time.
CST to UTC time conversion table
CST to UTC on 6 Nov 2026. Today's date. Highlighted rows are 9 AM–5 PM in both places.
| CST | UTC | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 AM CST | 6:00 AM UTC | — |
| 1:00 AM CST | 7:00 AM UTC | — |
| 2:00 AM CST | 8:00 AM UTC | — |
| 3:00 AM CST | 9:00 AM UTC | — |
| 4:00 AM CST | 10:00 AM UTC | — |
| 5:00 AM CST | 11:00 AM UTC | — |
| 6:00 AM CST | 12:00 PM UTC | — |
| 7:00 AM CST | 1:00 PM UTC | — |
| 8:00 AM CST | 2:00 PM UTC | — |
| 9:00 AM CST | 3:00 PM UTC | work hours |
| 10:00 AM CST | 4:00 PM UTC | work hours |
| 11:00 AM CST | 5:00 PM UTC | — |
| 12:00 PM CST | 6:00 PM UTC | — |
| 1:00 PM CST | 7:00 PM UTC | — |
| 2:00 PM CST | 8:00 PM UTC | — |
| 3:00 PM CST | 9:00 PM UTC | — |
| 4:00 PM CST | 10:00 PM UTC | night |
| 5:00 PM CST | 11:00 PM UTC | night |
| 6:00 PM CST | 12:00 AM UTC | next day |
| 7:00 PM CST | 1:00 AM UTC | next day |
| 8:00 PM CST | 2:00 AM UTC | next day |
| 9:00 PM CST | 3:00 AM UTC | next day |
| 10:00 PM CST | 4:00 AM UTC | next day |
| 11:00 PM CST | 5:00 AM UTC | next day |
- Work rows — 9 AM–5 PM in both places
- Night in the destination (10 PM–6 AM)
How to convert CST to UTC
Add 6 hours to the CST time to get UTC.
Example: 9:00 AM CST = 3:00 PM UTC.
Across midnight: 10:00 PM CST = 4:00 AM UTC (next day). The date changes, so always check the day as well as the hour.
Time difference between CST and UTC
The time difference between CST and UTC is not the same all year, because the two sides change for daylight saving time on different dates. In 2026 it works out like this:
- 31 Dec 2025 – 7 Mar 2026: UTC is 6 hours ahead of CST.
- 8 Mar 2026 – 31 Oct 2026: UTC is 5 hours ahead of CST.
- 1 Nov 2026 – 30 Dec 2026: UTC is 6 hours ahead of CST.
CST and UTC during daylight saving time
- CST next changes on 14 Mar 2027: clocks go forward one hour at 01:59 local time, from CST (UTC−6) to CDT (UTC−5).
- UTC does not observe daylight saving time; it stays on UTC+0 all year.
Best time for a meeting between CST and UTC
CST and UTC share 2 hours of the 9 AM–5 PM working day. Any time between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM CST lands between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM UTC, inside working hours for both.
CST to UTC FAQ
What is the time difference between CST and UTC?
Right now UTC is 6 hours ahead of CST. The gap changes 3 times in 2026 because the two sides switch to daylight saving time on different dates.
What is 9 AM CST in UTC?
9:00 AM CST is 3:00 PM UTC.
What is 12 PM (noon) CST in UTC?
12:00 PM CST is 6:00 PM UTC.
Is UTC ahead of or behind CST?
UTC is 6 hours ahead of CST, so it is later in UTC than in CST.
Does CST change for daylight saving time?
Yes. CST next changes on 14 Mar 2027, when clocks go forward one hour from CST to CDT.
Does UTC change for daylight saving time?
No. UTC stays on the same offset all year, so conversions never shift for daylight saving time.
What is the best time for a meeting between CST and UTC?
CST and UTC share 2 hours of the 9 AM–5 PM working day. Any time between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM CST lands between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM UTC, inside working hours for both.
Is CT the same as CST?
CST is the winter (standard) name of Central Time (CT). From March to November the same clocks are called CDT. This converter always uses the one in force on the date you choose.
Related conversions
Convert UTC to CST
Convert CST to other time zones
Convert other time zones to UTC
Learn more
Updated 6 November 2026. Time zone data: IANA tz database.