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Chicago is in the Central Standard Time / Central Daylight Time (CST / CDT).

The UTC offset is UTC-6 (CST) / UTC-5 (CDT).

Current Time in Chicago

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CST / CDT

UTC-6 (CST) / UTC-5 (CDT)

IANA timezone database Updates every second DST aware

About the Chicago Time Zone

Timezone

CST / CDT

UTC Offset

UTC-6 (CST) / UTC-5 (CDT)

Region

Central United States

Daylight Saving

Yes

Daylight Saving Time in Chicago

Chicago observes CDT (UTC-5) from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November.

About Chicago

Chicago is the third largest city in the United States and a major hub for finance, trade, and culture in the Midwest.

Chicago is 1 hour behind New York and 2 hours ahead of Los Angeles, making it the midpoint of US cross-timezone scheduling.

Compare Time Differences

Need to compare the time between Chicago and another city? Our time difference calculator instantly shows the gap between Chicago and any location worldwide. You can also use our meeting planner to find the best time for everyone.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What time zone is Chicago in?+

Chicago is in CST (UTC-6) in winter and CDT (UTC-5) in summer.

How many hours behind New York is Chicago?+

Chicago is 1 hour behind New York year-round.

What is the difference between CST and CDT?+

CST is UTC-6 (winter), CDT is UTC-5 (summer).

Does Chicago observe daylight saving time?+

Yes.

How many hours behind London is Chicago?+

Chicago is 6 hours behind London year-round.