EDT to CST converter

Category: Time Zone Converters

- June 29, 2025

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Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

UTC-4 • New York, Miami, Toronto

Conversion Settings

Configure your timezone conversion preferences

Auto Convert

Daylight Saving Aware

Show UTC Offset

Show Seconds

Central Time (CDT/CST)

UTC-5/-6 • Chicago, Dallas, Mexico City

--:--:--

Select a time to convert

Time Difference: --

UTC Offset (EDT): -04:00

UTC Offset (CST): -06:00

DST Status: --

EDT Time: --

CST Time: --

Time Format:

Current EDT: --:--:--

Current CST: --:--:--

🇺🇸 EDT is Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-4) and CST is Central Time (CDT/CST). Time difference varies between 1-2 hours depending on DST observance.

EDT to CST Conversion Guide

What is EDT to CST Conversion?

EDT to CST conversion helps you translate time between Eastern Daylight Time and Central Time zones in North America. EDT is UTC-4 and is observed during summer months in Eastern North America. CST includes CDT (UTC-5) during summer and CST (UTC-6) during winter. The time difference varies between 1-2 hours depending on daylight saving time observance in the Central Time zone.

Time Zone Information

Eastern Daylight Time (EDT): UTC-4, observed during summer months (March to November) in Eastern US and Canada (New York, Miami, Toronto, Atlanta).

Central Time (CST): Used in Central US, Canada, and Mexico (Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Mexico City). CDT (UTC-5) in summer, CST (UTC-6) in winter.

Time Difference: EDT is 1 hour ahead of CDT, or 2 hours ahead of CST. The difference depends on whether Central Time is observing daylight saving.

Daylight Saving Time Impact

EDT Period: EDT is only observed during daylight saving time (second Sunday in March to first Sunday in November)

Synchronized DST: Both Eastern and Central regions observe daylight saving on the same dates, maintaining a consistent 1-hour difference

Simple Conversion: During DST period, EDT is 1 hour ahead of CDT. Outside DST, EST is 1 hour ahead of CST.

Common Conversion Examples

Summer (DST Period)

EDT 10:00 AM → CDT 9:00 AM

EDT 3:00 PM → CDT 2:00 PM

1-hour difference during DST period

Business Hours

Best EDT Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Converts to CDT: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Good overlap for cross-timezone meetings

Conference Calls

EDT 2:00 PM → CDT 1:00 PM

EDT 5:00 PM → CDT 4:00 PM

Optimal for afternoon meetings

TV Shows & Events

EDT 8:00 PM → CDT 7:00 PM

EDT 11:00 PM → CDT 10:00 PM

Standard broadcast scheduling

Conversion Tips & Best Practices

• EDT only exists during daylight saving time - outside this period, use EST (Eastern Standard Time)

• During DST period: EDT is 1 hour ahead of CDT (both observing daylight time)

• Both Eastern and Central regions change DST on the same dates, simplifying conversion

• Business hours overlap well: EDT 9 AM-5 PM equals CDT 8 AM-4 PM

• TV networks commonly use "8/7 Central" meaning 8 PM EDT, 7 PM CDT

• Always verify current DST status when scheduling important events across these zones

Convert Between Eastern and Central Time

If you've ever stared at your calendar wondering what time a meeting in Chicago starts when you're sitting in New York, this tool is for you. The EDT to CST Converter takes the headache out of working across time zones. It quickly turns any time in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) or Central Time (CST/CDT) into the other, no mental math, no missed appointments.

Why This Converter Comes in Handy

Maybe you're scheduling a call with a client in Dallas, booking a webinar from Toronto, or checking TV airtimes in different cities. The one-hour (or sometimes two-hour) gap between Eastern and Central zones isn't always consistent because of daylight saving time. This converter keeps you in sync, even when the clocks change.

How to Use the Converter Step-by-Step

1. Set the Starting Time

Use the date and time inputs in the first section. These default to Eastern Daylight Time, but you can switch to Central by selecting from the dropdown. Enter the exact moment you're working with, whether that's 9:00 AM on a Tuesday or 7:30 PM next Saturday.

2. Check or Uncheck Settings

Auto Convert: When on, the conversion updates immediately when you change the input time.
Daylight Saving Aware: Adjusts the calculation based on whether daylight saving time is active on the selected date.
Show UTC Offset: Adds the raw time difference (like -04:00 or -06:00) so you can see how far each zone is from UTC.
Show Seconds: Includes the seconds for more precision, which is useful for syncing broadcasts or scheduled launches.

3. Hit "Convert Time" or Use Auto Convert

If auto convert is off, press the Convert button to see the result. The output section shows the equivalent time in the other zone, along with the date and time difference.

Make It Your Own with Live Features

Below the main tool, there’s a live clock showing the current time in both zones. You can also choose between 12-hour and 24-hour display formats using the toggle. If you're in a rush, the “Now” button inputs the current time automatically, and “Reset” takes you back to the default view.

Extra Tools to Avoid Mistakes

Swap and Flip Easily

Press the “Swap” button to flip the input and output zones. If you started with EDT and want to check the reverse, CST to EDT, you can switch it instantly without re-entering the time.

Built-In DST Logic

The converter knows when daylight saving time begins and ends in the US. It adjusts for this automatically if DST Aware is checked, so you’re not stuck wondering why your time is off by an hour.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Space / Enter: Convert the time
R: Reset everything
N: Set to now
S: Swap zones
F: Toggle 12/24-hour format

A Quick Example in Action

You’re in New York and want to host a webinar for people in Mexico City. You pick 3:00 PM EDT on July 10. Plug that into the converter. The tool tells you it’s 2:00 PM CDT there. You now know exactly when to promote your event without a second guess.

Keep Your Schedule Straight, Wherever You Are

Whether you're working across teams, planning events, or just trying to catch the game on the right channel, this converter saves time and confusion. It’s one less thing to worry about when juggling calendars in different cities. Enter your time, adjust the settings if needed, and get on with your day, right on time.