Central Time — Current Time
Central Time covers more states than any other US zone, spanning from the Canadian border down to the Gulf Coast, one hour behind the East Coast.
Most US clocks fall from 2:00 AM back to 1:00 AM — you gain an hour. Arizona, Hawaii, and the US territories don't change at all.
Where Central Time is observed
The Midwest and much of the South and central Plains, from Chicago and Dallas to New Orleans and Minneapolis, plus the Florida panhandle and El Paso's Texas neighbors further east.
* Only part of this state is in Central Time.
Major cities in Central Time
Central Time vs. other US zones
| Location | Current time | UTC offset | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Time | 3:42 PM EDT | UTC-4 | 1 hour ahead |
| Mountain Time | 1:42 PM MDT | UTC-6 | 1 hour behind |
| Pacific Time | 12:42 PM PDT | UTC-7 | 2 hours behind |
| Alaska Time | 11:42 AM AKDT | UTC-8 | 3 hours behind |
| Hawaii-Aleutian Time | 9:42 AM HST | UTC-10 | 5 hours behind |
| Atlantic Time | 3:42 PM AST | UTC-4 | 1 hour ahead |
| Samoa Time | 8:42 AM GMT-11 | UTC-11 | 6 hours behind |
| Chamorro Time | 5:42 AM GMT+10 | UTC+10 | 15 hours ahead |
Convert Central Time to another zone
Frequently asked questions
What is the current UTC offset for Central Time?
Central Time is UTC-6 during standard time, and one hour ahead (UTC-5) during daylight saving.
Does Central Time observe daylight saving time?
Most of Central Time observes daylight saving, shifting clocks forward one hour each spring and back each fall, following the same US federal schedule as the rest of the country.
Which states are in Central Time?
The Midwest and much of the South and central Plains, from Chicago and Dallas to New Orleans and Minneapolis, plus the Florida panhandle and El Paso's Texas neighbors further east.