CST: Central Standard Time
10:13 pm CST
UTC−6
CST stands for Central Standard Time, 6 hours behind UTC (UTC−6). It is used in winter in the central US and Canada.
In use
CST is Chicago’s winter clock. Right now Chicago is on CDT (UTC−5), not CST. It switches to CST on Sunday, November 1, 2026 and back on Sunday, March 14, 2027.
Daylight saving
CST itself never moves: it is always UTC−6. The places that use it switch to CDT in summer.
Also written CST
China Standard Time (UTC+8) and Cuba Standard Time (UTC−5).
On CST all year
Most of Saskatchewan, Mexico City, Costa Rica.
Next changes in Chicago
| Date | Change | Switches to |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday, November 1, 2026 | Back 1 hour | CST UTC−6 |
| Sunday, March 14, 2027 | Forward 1 hour | CDT UTC−5 |
Cities on CST in winter
Convert CST
Questions
What does CST stand for?
Central Standard Time. The same letters are also used for China Standard Time (UTC+8) and Cuba Standard Time (UTC−5); this page is about Central Standard Time.
What time is it in CST now?
It’s 10:13 pm CST (UTC−6). CST is Chicago’s winter clock. Right now Chicago is on CDT (UTC−5), not CST. It switches to CST on Sunday, November 1, 2026 and back on Sunday, March 14, 2027.
Does CST change for daylight saving?
CST itself never moves: it is always UTC−6. The places that use it switch to CDT in summer.
Is CST the same as CDT?
No. CST is UTC−6 and CDT is UTC−5, an hour apart. Chicago is on CST in winter and CDT in summer.