PDT to CDT Converter

Category: Time Zone Converters

- June 30, 2025

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Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)

UTC-7 • Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle

Conversion Settings

Configure your timezone conversion preferences

Auto Convert

Daylight Saving Aware

Show UTC Offset

Show Seconds

Central Daylight Time (CDT)

UTC-5 • Chicago, Houston, Dallas

--:--:--

Select a time to convert

Time Difference: --

UTC Offset (PDT): -7

UTC Offset (CDT): -5

DST Status: --

PDT Time: --

CDT Time: --

Time Format:

Current PDT: --:--:--

Current CDT: --:--:--

🇺🇸 PDT is UTC-7 (Pacific daylight time), PST is UTC-8 (Pacific standard time). CDT is UTC-5 (Central daylight time), CST is UTC-6 (Central standard time). Both zones follow the same DST schedule with a consistent 2-hour difference.

PDT to CDT Conversion Guide

What is PDT to CDT Conversion?

PDT to CDT conversion helps you translate time between Pacific Daylight Time and Central Daylight Time zones. PDT is UTC-7 and is observed on the US West Coast during summer months (March to November). CDT is UTC-5 and is observed in the central United States during the same period. The time difference is consistently 2 hours, with CDT being ahead of PDT.

Time Zone Information

Pacific Daylight Time (PDT): Used on the US West Coast including California, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada. UTC-7 from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November.

Central Daylight Time (CDT): Used in central North America including Illinois, Texas, Missouri, and Wisconsin. UTC-5 during the same daylight saving period.

Time Difference: CDT is consistently 2 hours ahead of PDT throughout the daylight saving period. This makes scheduling across the central US very predictable.

Daylight Saving Time Impact

Synchronized DST: Both PDT and CDT follow the exact same daylight saving schedule, starting and ending on the same dates

Consistent Difference: The 2-hour time difference remains constant during the entire daylight saving period

Winter Transition: During winter months, these become PST (UTC-8) and CST (UTC-6), maintaining the 2-hour difference

Common Conversion Examples

Business Hours

PDT 8:00 AM → CDT 10:00 AM

PDT 5:00 PM → CDT 7:00 PM

Great overlap for cross-country meetings

Meeting Planning

Best PDT Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Converts to CDT: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Excellent business hours overlap

TV & Sports Events

PDT 7:00 PM → CDT 9:00 PM

PDT 5:00 PM → CDT 7:00 PM

Prime time programming coordination

Tech Company Operations

PDT 9:00 AM → CDT 11:00 AM

PDT 3:00 PM → CDT 5:00 PM

Cross-office collaboration timing

Conversion Tips & Best Practices

• Simple conversion rule: add 2 hours to PDT to get CDT

• Both zones follow identical daylight saving schedules, eliminating confusion about DST transitions

• Business hours overlap well: PDT 9 AM - 4 PM aligns with CDT 11 AM - 6 PM

• This is a common conversion for US companies with West Coast and Midwest operations

• Financial markets: Chicago exchanges open at 7:30 AM PDT (9:30 AM CDT)

• Remember that some states like Arizona don't observe daylight saving time

From Los Angeles (PDT) to Chicago (CDT), This Time Converter Has You Covered

Whether you're setting up a team call between San Francisco and Houston or trying to catch a Chicago Bulls game from your Seattle apartment, juggling Pacific and Central time can get tricky. This simple, flexible converter makes it easy to shift time between PDT and CDT without pulling out a world clock or doing mental math. It works right from your browser and updates live.

Here’s how it works in plain English

You start by choosing your input time. That could be any specific date and time in either Pacific Daylight Time or Central Daylight Time. You’ll see live clocks running for both zones and have the option to pick which one you’re starting from. With one click, you’ll instantly see what that time looks like in the other zone. It's as straightforward as it sounds.

Pick your time, see the result

Start by setting the input

Select a date and a time in the input section. Use the dropdown to choose whether you're starting with PDT (e.g., Los Angeles) or CDT (e.g., Chicago). The interface adjusts its labels accordingly, so there’s no confusion about what you’re looking at.

Then just hit “Convert Time”

Once you’ve set your time, click the convert button. The result section below will show you the equivalent time in the other zone, down to the second if you like. It also displays the time difference, current offsets, and whether daylight saving time applies.

Built-in options that save you clicks

Automatic conversion

If you check “Auto Convert,” the tool will recalculate instantly anytime you adjust the date or time. Great for comparing multiple options quickly.

Daylight saving awareness

“Daylight Saving Aware” is turned on by default. That means the converter adjusts for whether the selected date falls within daylight time or standard time. Turn it off if you’re working with fixed UTC offsets instead.

Offset and seconds display

You can toggle whether to show the UTC offset (like -7 or -5) and whether seconds are displayed in the result. These are especially handy for scheduling precise events or debugging time differences in software.

Time format toggle

A small button lets you switch between 12-hour and 24-hour time. Whichever format helps you read things faster, it’s ready to go.

Keyboard shortcuts to speed things up

If you prefer not to reach for the mouse, you’ll appreciate the built-in keyboard support. Tap:

Space or Enter to convert
S to swap timezones
N to fill in the current time
R to reset everything
F to flip between 12-hour and 24-hour format

A quick example: planning across Austin and Sacramento

Say you're in Sacramento and want to schedule a check-in with someone in Austin. If you pick 10:00 AM PDT, this tool shows you it’s 12:00 PM CDT. It even spells out that there’s a 2-hour difference, both cities are in daylight time, and you’re not dealing with any offset quirks. You can lock in a meeting that works for both sides with zero guesswork.

All the info you need, right where you need it

Below the conversion, you’ll find a detailed breakdown showing the exact formatted times in both zones, the current UTC offsets, and even whether both areas are in daylight or standard time. There’s no need to double-check against a calendar or external source. The live clocks above also keep you grounded in what’s happening now.

One tool, two zones, total clarity

Whether you're organizing a product launch between Portland and Kansas City or setting reminders for calls from your Dallas office to a colleague in Santa Monica, this converter keeps you one step ahead. It’s built for speed, clarity, and keeping your day running on time, no matter how far apart the clocks are.