PST to CST Converter — Pacific to Central Time

PST to CST Conversion Table

Offset: PST +2 hours = CST. Applies during standard time. Work hours (9 AM–5 PM) highlighted.

PST		CST
00:00		02:00
01:00		03:00
02:00		04:00
03:00		05:00
04:00		06:00
05:00		07:00
06:00		08:00
07:00		09:00
08:00		10:00
09:00		11:00
10:00		12:00
11:00		13:00
12:00		14:00
13:00		15:00
14:00		16:00
15:00		17:00
16:00		18:00
17:00		19:00
18:00		20:00
19:00		21:00
20:00		22:00
21:00		23:00
22:00		00:00 (+1 day)
23:00		01:00 (+1 day)

Companies spanning the western and central US handle this conversion routinely. A Seattle engineering team syncing with a Dallas operations center, or a Los Angeles studio coordinating with a Nashville production team, deals with the 2-hour gap throughout the workday.

Central Time is 2 hours ahead of Pacific. When it is 9 AM in Los Angeles, it is 11 AM in Chicago. A late-afternoon 4 PM meeting Pacific-side is already 6 PM Central, at the edge of the workday.

Both zones observe US DST on the same schedule. The 2-hour offset is constant year-round. PST/PDT to CST/CDT is always a simple addition of 2 hours.

Daylight Saving Time: What Changes

Both PST and CST observe daylight saving time. Since they typically switch on the same schedule, the 2-hour difference stays constant year-round — except during the brief transition windows when one zone has switched and the other hasn't yet. During those 1-2 weeks, the offset shifts by one hour.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the time difference between Pacific and Central time?

Central Time is exactly 2 hours ahead of Pacific Time. This holds true year-round because both zones follow the same US DST schedule.

Does DST affect the PST-to-CST conversion?

No. Both zones switch to daylight saving on the same dates. PST becomes PDT and CST becomes CDT simultaneously, keeping the gap at 2 hours.

What is a good meeting window for teams in LA and Chicago?

9 AM–3 PM Pacific works well, corresponding to 11 AM–5 PM Central. Starting before 8 AM Pacific pushes Central to before 10 AM, and going past 3 PM Pacific means Central is past 5 PM.

PST to CST Converter — Pacific to Central Time

PST to CST Conversion Table

Daylight Saving Time: What Changes

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn More

Your calendar + time zones, at a glance.

PST to CST Converter — Pacific to Central Time

PST to CST Conversion Table

Daylight Saving Time: What Changes

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Conversions

Learn More

Your calendar + time zones, at a glance.