CET to EST converter
EST is 6 hours behind CET for most of the year. The gap is different for a few weeks, when only one side has changed its clocks: in 2026 that is 8 March to 28 March (5 hours) and 25 October to 31 October (5 hours). If you schedule something in that period, check the date.
CET to EST conversion table
Every hour of the day in CET and what it is in EST. The columns use a January date and a July date, so you can see how daylight saving changes the answer.
| Time in CET | Time in EST |
|---|---|
| 12 AM | 6:00 PM previous day |
| 1 AM | 7:00 PM previous day |
| 2 AM | 8:00 PM previous day |
| 3 AM | 9:00 PM previous day |
| 4 AM | 10:00 PM previous day |
| 5 AM | 11:00 PM previous day |
| 6 AM | 12:00 AM |
| 7 AM | 1:00 AM |
| 8 AM | 2:00 AM |
| 9 AM | 3:00 AM |
| 10 AM | 4:00 AM |
| 11 AM | 5:00 AM |
| 12 PM | 6:00 AM |
| 1 PM | 7:00 AM |
| 2 PM | 8:00 AM |
| 3 PM | 9:00 AM |
| 4 PM | 10:00 AM |
| 5 PM | 11:00 AM |
| 6 PM | 12:00 PM |
| 7 PM | 1:00 PM |
| 8 PM | 2:00 PM |
| 9 PM | 3:00 PM |
| 10 PM | 4:00 PM |
| 11 PM | 5:00 PM |
How to convert CET to EST
To convert CET to EST by hand, subtract 6 hours for most of the year, then fix the date if you cross midnight.
- 8 PM CET on 15 January is 2:00 PM EST.
- In the odd weeks, 8 PM CET on 18 March is 3:00 PM EDT, because the gap is then 5 hours.
- 8 PM CEST on 15 October is 2:00 PM EDT.
About the two time zones
Central European Time (CET/CEST). Used in: Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Rome, Amsterdam, Brussels, Vienna, Stockholm, Oslo, Warsaw. Clocks go forward on the last Sunday in March and back on the last Sunday in October.
CET is the winter name and CEST (Central European Summer Time) is the summer name. People often write CET all year; the clock in Europe is on CEST from March to October.
Eastern Time (EST/EDT). Used in: New York, Toronto, Miami, Atlanta, Boston, Washington DC. Clocks go forward on the second Sunday in March and back on the first Sunday in November.
People write EST all year round, even in summer when the clocks actually say EDT. This tool treats EST, EDT and ET as the same thing: the current time in New York.
Skip the converter: let Herewise do it on every page
Herewise is a free Chrome extension. When a page says "8 PM EST", "75°F" or "$49", it adds a small label with the time, temperature or price in your own time zone, units and currency. Free, no account, nothing you read leaves your browser.
Questions
What is 8 PM CET in EST?
8 PM CET on 15 January is 2:00 PM EST. In the odd weeks, 8 PM CET on 18 March is 3:00 PM EDT, because the gap is then 5 hours.
Is EST ahead of or behind CET?
EST is 6 hours behind CET for most of the year. The gap is different for a few weeks, when only one side has changed its clocks: in 2026 that is 8 March to 28 March (5 hours) and 25 October to 31 October (5 hours). If you schedule something in that period, check the date.
Does daylight saving change the difference between CET and EST?
Yes, briefly. Central European Time: Clocks go forward on the last Sunday in March and back on the last Sunday in October. Eastern Time: Clocks go forward on the second Sunday in March and back on the first Sunday in November.
How can I see CET times in my own time zone automatically?
Install Herewise, a free Chrome extension. When a web page says a time like 8 PM CET, it adds a small label with that time in your own time zone, using the correct date for daylight saving.