Time Difference: Chicago vs Los Angeles
Los Angeles is 2 hours behind Chicago.
Quick Reference
- Chicago
- CDT (GMT-5)
CST starts on Nov 1, 2026
- Los Angeles
- PDT (GMT-7)
PST starts on Nov 1, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the time difference between Chicago and Los Angeles?
- Los Angeles is 2 hours behind Chicago.
- When is the best time to call from Chicago to Los Angeles?
- The best time to call is during overlapping business hours (9 AM – 5 PM) in both cities. Use the interactive converter on this page to visually compare hours side by side.
- Does the time difference change with daylight saving time?
- The time difference may change when either city enters or exits daylight saving time. Chicago uses CDT and Los Angeles uses PDT.