EST to CST Converter

Use our converter below to change times between Eastern Standard Time (EST) to Central Standard Time (CST). If you mixed up your time zones and would like to convert CST to EST instead, you can find that converter here: Central Standard Time to Eastern Standard Time Converter. And if you don't like either of our tools, then go back to see all of our time zone converters.

Eastern Standard Time

Eastern Standard Time (EST) is the time zone observed by the eastern part of the United States, including cities like New York City and Washington D.C. It is 5 hours behind UTC during standard time and 4 hours behind during daylight saving time.

Cities:

  • New York City
  • Washington D.C.
  • Miami
  • Atlanta

Central Standard Time

Central Standard Time (CST) is used in the central part of the United States, including cities like Chicago and Dallas. It is 6 hours behind UTC during standard time and 5 hours behind during daylight saving time.

Cities:

  • Chicago
  • Dallas
  • Houston
  • New Orleans

How to convert time from Eastern Standard Time (EST) to Central Standard Time (CST)

Converting between Eastern Standard Time (EST) and Central Standard Time (CST) could be challenging. As companies become more global, we find ourselves in a mess of calendar invites. Time changes from EST cities like New York City, Washington D.C., Miami, Atlanta are -1 hour(s) apart to CST cities like Chicago, Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, holiday schedules, and the basic communication becomes a juggling act. To make it easier to understand, we'll break down the process of converting time between EST and CST into step-by-step instructions.

Step 1: Understanding Eastern Standard Time and Central Standard Time

Eastern Standard Time is UTC-4, which means that the local time in the Eastern Standard Time zone is -4 hours apart from UTC. Central Standard Time is UTC-5, which means that the local time in the Central Standard Time zone is -5 hours apart from UTC.

Step 2: Calculate the Time Difference

To convert time from Eastern Standard Time to Central Standard Time, we first need to find the time difference between both time zones. Since Eastern Standard Time is UTC-4 and Central Standard Time is UTC-5, the time difference is: -1 hour(s)

  • -1 hours = Eastern Standard Time's difference from UTC -5 + (Central Standard Time's difference from UTC -4
  • Central Standard Time has -1 hour(s) difference Eastern Standard Time.

Understanding Eastern Standard Time and Central Standard Time

Eastern Standard Time is UTC-4, which means that the local time in the Eastern Standard Time zone is -4 hours apart from UTC. Central Standard Time is UTC-5, which means that the local time in the Central Standard Time zone is -5 hours apart from UTC.

Step 4: Practice Converting Times

Now that you know the process, try converting different times from Eastern Standard Time to Central Standard Time for practice before going to the answer page. Remember to always add the Central Standard Time time difference to the Eastern Standard Time time.

Scheduling a meeting between Eastern Standard Time and Central Standard Time

When scheduling a meeting between employees in the Eastern Standard Time and Central Standard Time zones, there are several factors to consider to ensure that the meeting is convenient and productive for all participants. Here's a detailed breakdown of what you should consider before scheduling across time zones:

  • Convert Time Difference: As we've discussed earlier, Central Standard Time is -1 ahead of Eastern Standard Time. It's crucial to take this time difference into account when scheduling a meeting to avoid scheduling conflicts or creating meetings at odd or inappropriate hours. In my experience, accidentally scheduling a meeting a 4am is awkward.
  • Overlapping Working Hours: To find a suitable time for the meeting, you’ll need to identify the overlapping working hours between the two time zones. For example, if employees in both zones work from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM local time, the overlapping hours could be between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM Eastern Standard Time but -1 hours different to Central Standard Time. Be upfront with Central Standard Time employees to find the right time.
  • Consideration of Local Holidays: Be mindful of local Eastern Standard Time and Central Standard Time holidays, festivals, or observances in both time zones. These events might affect employee availability or working hours. Check local calendars for both the Eastern Standard Time and Central Standard Time zones to avoid scheduling conflicts.
  • Communicate Time Zone Differences: Clearly communicate the meeting time in both Eastern Standard Time and Central Standard Time to avoid confusion. Using a tool like an online meeting planner or time zone converter can help simplify the process and ensure accuracy.

Converting time zones across other countries

The process of converting time between two time zones is similar regardless of the countries involved. You'll need to determine the time difference between the two zones and add it to the time in the first zone. Keep in mind that some countries may observe daylight saving time or have different time zones within the country. It's important to double-check the time difference before scheduling any meetings or events.