How many hours ahead is CST compared to PST?

Central Standard Time is 2 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time. When Los Angeles is at 9 AM PST, Chicago is at 11 AM CST. Both zones observe daylight saving time on the same US schedule, so the 2-hour difference holds year-round regardless of season.

What cities are in the Pacific Time Zone?

Major US cities in the Pacific Time Zone include Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Portland, Seattle, and Las Vegas. The Pacific Time Zone covers the westernmost tier of the continental United States, spanning from California up through Washington state.

What is the best meeting window for PST and CST teams?

The ideal window is 10 AM–3 PM CST (8 AM–1 PM PST). This gives Central time team members a mid-morning to early-afternoon slot while keeping Pacific participants within reasonable morning hours. Avoid scheduling after 4 PM CST (2 PM PST), as that cuts into Pacific colleagues’ productive afternoon.

PST vs CST: Time Difference and Conversion

January 24, 2026

Pacific Standard Time (PST, UTC−8) and Central Standard Time (CST, UTC−6) differ by 2 hours, with the Central Zone running ahead of the Pacific. This gap affects daily coordination between tech hubs on the West Coast and business centers in Chicago, Dallas, and Houston.

The 2-Hour Gap

CST is UTC−6 while PST is UTC−8, placing Chicago 2 hours ahead of Los Angeles. When San Francisco wakes up at 8 AM PST, Chicago is already at 10 AM CST. When Dallas calls it a day at 5 PM CST, Seattle still has until 3 PM PST to wind down. The gap is symmetric in summer, when CST becomes CDT (UTC−5) and PST becomes PDT (UTC−7), maintaining the same 2-hour difference because both zones change clocks simultaneously.

For West Coast technology companies that do business with Central financial or energy sectors, this 2-hour gap means that many East-of-the-Rockies deadlines hit mid-morning Pacific Time, requiring attention earlier in the day than might feel natural.

Compare Pacific and Central time

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Quick Conversion Reference

To convert PST to CST, add 2 hours. To convert CST to PST, subtract 2 hours.

Pacific Time (PST/PDT)	Central Time (CST/CDT)
6:00 AM	8:00 AM
7:00 AM	9:00 AM
8:00 AM	10:00 AM
9:00 AM	11:00 AM
10:00 AM	12:00 PM (noon)
12:00 PM (noon)	2:00 PM
1:00 PM	3:00 PM
3:00 PM	5:00 PM
5:00 PM	7:00 PM

Tip

For teams spanning the Pacific and Central zones, schedule recurring meetings at 10 AM PST (noon CST). This sits after the morning rush on the West Coast while giving Central participants a natural midday slot that works before or after lunch.

Daylight Saving Time Behavior

Both Pacific and Central time zones in the United States follow the same daylight saving schedule: clocks spring forward one hour on the second Sunday in March and fall back one hour on the first Sunday in November. Because both transitions happen at the same moment, the 2-hour difference between PST and CST never changes. In summer PST becomes PDT and CST becomes CDT, but the relationship between them stays identical.

Note

If you schedule meetings with someone in Saskatchewan, Canada, note that the province observes Central Standard Time year-round without daylight saving time. During summer, Saskatchewan is 1 hour behind Chicago (CDT) instead of the same time, which can cause confusion for recurring meeting participants.

Common Cross-Zone Scenarios

The Pacific-Central gap affects a number of recurring business situations. NFL and NBA broadcast schedules are set on Eastern Time, meaning primetime games at 8 PM EST are 7 PM CST and 6 PM PST. Tech company earnings calls, typically scheduled for 5 PM EST, hit 4 PM CST and 2 PM PST. Chicago commodity markets open at 8:30 AM CST (6:30 AM PST), which is early for West Coast traders following those markets.

Plan meetings across PST and CST

Use the meeting planner to find times that fit your West Coast and Midwest team members’ schedules.

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Time Zone ConverterConvert any time between Pacific and Central zones with a single click.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours ahead is CST compared to PST?: Central Standard Time is 2 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time. When Los Angeles is at 9 AM PST, Chicago is at 11 AM CST. Both zones observe daylight saving time on the same US schedule, so the 2-hour difference holds year-round regardless of season.
What cities are in the Pacific Time Zone?: Major US cities in the Pacific Time Zone include Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Portland, Seattle, and Las Vegas. The Pacific Time Zone covers the westernmost tier of the continental United States, spanning from California up through Washington state.
What is the best meeting window for PST and CST teams?: The ideal window is 10 AM–3 PM CST (8 AM–1 PM PST). This gives Central time team members a mid-morning to early-afternoon slot while keeping Pacific participants within reasonable morning hours. Avoid scheduling after 4 PM CST (2 PM PST), as that cuts into Pacific colleagues’ productive afternoon.