CST to CET converter
CET is 7 hours ahead of CST 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 (6 hours) and 25 October to 31 October (6 hours). If you schedule something in that period, check the date.
CST to CET conversion table
Every hour of the day in CST and what it is in CET. The columns use a January date and a July date, so you can see how daylight saving changes the answer.
| Time in CST | Time in CET |
|---|---|
| 12 AM | 7:00 AM |
| 1 AM | 8:00 AM |
| 2 AM | 9:00 AM |
| 3 AM | 10:00 AM |
| 4 AM | 11:00 AM |
| 5 AM | 12:00 PM |
| 6 AM | 1:00 PM |
| 7 AM | 2:00 PM |
| 8 AM | 3:00 PM |
| 9 AM | 4:00 PM |
| 10 AM | 5:00 PM |
| 11 AM | 6:00 PM |
| 12 PM | 7:00 PM |
| 1 PM | 8:00 PM |
| 2 PM | 9:00 PM |
| 3 PM | 10:00 PM |
| 4 PM | 11:00 PM |
| 5 PM | 12:00 AM next day |
| 6 PM | 1:00 AM next day |
| 7 PM | 2:00 AM next day |
| 8 PM | 3:00 AM next day |
| 9 PM | 4:00 AM next day |
| 10 PM | 5:00 AM next day |
| 11 PM | 6:00 AM next day |
How to convert CST to CET
To convert CST to CET by hand, add 7 hours for most of the year, then fix the date if you cross midnight.
- 8 PM CST on 15 January is 3:00 AM CET the next day.
- In the odd weeks, 8 PM CDT on 18 March is 2:00 AM CET the next day, because the gap is then 6 hours.
- 8 PM CDT on 15 October is 3:00 AM CEST the next day.
About the two time zones
Central Time (US & Canada) (CST/CDT). Used in: Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Minneapolis, New Orleans. Clocks go forward on the second Sunday in March and back on the first Sunday in November.
CST can also mean China Standard Time or Cuba Standard Time. Here it means US Central Time, which is how it is used on most English-language websites.
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.
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 CST in CET?
8 PM CST on 15 January is 3:00 AM CET the next day. In the odd weeks, 8 PM CDT on 18 March is 2:00 AM CET the next day, because the gap is then 6 hours.
Is CET ahead of or behind CST?
CET is 7 hours ahead of CST 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 (6 hours) and 25 October to 31 October (6 hours). If you schedule something in that period, check the date.
Does daylight saving change the difference between CST and CET?
Yes, briefly. Central Time (US & Canada): Clocks go forward on the second Sunday in March and back on the first Sunday in November. Central European Time: Clocks go forward on the last Sunday in March and back on the last Sunday in October.
How can I see CST times in my own time zone automatically?
Install Herewise, a free Chrome extension. When a web page says a time like 8 PM CST, it adds a small label with that time in your own time zone, using the correct date for daylight saving.