New York
Chicago
Convert EST to CST
Eastern Standard Time to Central Standard Time — Chicago is 1 hour behind New York
Quick Facts
Time Difference
-1 hours
EST Full Name
Eastern Standard Time
CST Full Name
Central Standard Time
EST to CST Conversion Table
Related Conversions
About EST and CST Time Zones
EST (Eastern Standard Time) is UTC-5 and covers cities like New York, Washington D.C., Miami. CST (Central Standard Time) is UTC-6 and covers cities like Chicago, Dallas, Houston.
When it's 12:00 PM (noon) in New York (EST), it's 11:00 AM in Chicago (CST). The time difference between EST and CST is 1 hour — Chicago is behind New York.
With only a 1-hour difference, New York and Chicago share nearly a full business day overlap, making scheduling straightforward.
Daylight Saving Time
EST observes Daylight Saving Time and becomes EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) during summer months, shifting clocks forward by 1 hour to UTC-4.
CST observes Daylight Saving Time and becomes CDT (Central Daylight Time) during summer months, shifting clocks forward by 1 hour to UTC-5.
During DST transitions, the time difference between EST and CST may shift by ±1 hour. Always verify the current offset above for the most accurate conversion.
Use our world clock tool to compare New York and Chicago with a visual timeline, or browse more timezone conversions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between EST and CST?
Chicago (CST) is 1 hour behind New York (EST). The offset is -1 hours.
Is CST ahead or behind EST?
CST is 1 hour behind EST. EST is UTC-4 and CST is UTC-5.
When it's 12:00 PM in New York, what time is it in Chicago?
When it's 12:00 PM (noon) in New York (EST), it's 11:00 AM in Chicago (CST).
When it's 5:00 PM in New York, what time is it in Chicago?
When it's 5:00 PM in New York (EST), it's 4:00 PM in Chicago (CST).
Does EST change for Daylight Saving Time?
Yes. EST (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-5) becomes EDT (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-4) in summer, shifting clocks forward 1 hour.
Does CST change for Daylight Saving Time?
Yes. CST (Central Standard Time, UTC-6) becomes CDT (Central Daylight Time, UTC-5) in summer, shifting clocks forward 1 hour.