Central Time · Chicago
Current Central Time
Central Standard Time · UTC−6
- Time zone
- Central Standard Time (CST, UTC−6), and Central Daylight Time (CDT, UTC−5) in summer
- Next clock change
- Back one hour on Sunday, November 1, 2026, 2:00 a.m.
- Sunrise · sunset in Chicago
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- Good times to call or pray together
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Pray for the central United States now
It is morning in Chicago
Lord, morning has come to the central United States. Be with everyone starting the day there: parents waking children, workers on their way, the sick, the lonely and the grieving. Give Your people there joy in You and courage to speak of Jesus, and open many hearts to the good news. Let Your name be praised there today. Amen.
Father, it is the middle of the day in the central United States. Be near to those at work and at school, to the ones who make decisions for many, and to the ones no one notices. Give its leaders wisdom and justice. Strengthen the churches there to love their neighbors well, and draw many to Jesus. Amen.
Lord Jesus, evening is falling over the central United States. Gather families around their tables in peace. Comfort those who come home to an empty house or a hard word. Bless the believers who meet tonight to pray and read Your Word, and let Your light shine through them. Thank You for being with them through this day. Amen.
Father, it is night in the central United States. Watch over those who sleep and those who cannot: the anxious, the sick, the ones working through the night and the ones in danger. Give them rest and keep them safe. You never slumber or sleep; hold Your people there in Your hand until morning. Amen.
All the nations You have made will come and bow before You, O Lord, and they will glorify Your name.
Psalm 86:9 (BSB)
Time difference: Central Time and the world
| City | Now | Through 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| New York | — | Chicago is 1 hour behind New York all year. |
| Denver | — | Chicago is 1 hour ahead of Denver all year. |
| Los Angeles | — | Chicago is 2 hours ahead of Los Angeles all year. |
| Honolulu | — | In 2027, Chicago is 4 hours ahead of Honolulu until March 13, is 5 hours ahead of Honolulu from March 14 to November 6, and is 4 hours ahead of Honolulu from November 7. |
| London | — | Chicago is 6 hours behind London for most of the year. In 2027, from March 14 to March 27 and from October 31 to November 6, Chicago is 5 hours behind London, because the two change their clocks on different dates. |
| Jerusalem | — | Chicago is 8 hours behind Jerusalem for most of the year. In 2027, from March 14 to March 25 and from October 31 to November 6, Chicago is 7 hours behind Jerusalem, because the two change their clocks on different dates. |
| Lagos | — | In 2027, Chicago is 7 hours behind Lagos until March 13, is 6 hours behind Lagos from March 14 to November 6, and is 7 hours behind Lagos from November 7. |
Central Time local time: questions
What time zone is Central Time in?
Central Time is the time of Chicago, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Nashville, New Orleans, Minneapolis and Winnipeg. It is Central Standard Time (CST, UTC−6) in winter and Central Daylight Time (CDT, UTC−5) from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November.
Does Central Time have daylight saving time?
Yes. Central Time moves its clocks back one hour on Sunday, November 1, 2026 at 2:00 a.m., then forward one hour on Sunday, March 14, 2027 at 2:00 a.m., then back one hour on Sunday, November 7, 2027 at 2:00 a.m.
What is the time difference between Central Time and London?
Chicago is 6 hours behind London for most of the year. In 2027, from March 14 to March 27 and from October 31 to November 6, Chicago is 5 hours behind London, because the two change their clocks on different dates.
What is the time difference between Central Time and New York?
Chicago is 1 hour behind New York all year.