PDT to CST Converter

Category: Time Zone Converters

- June 29, 2025

| |

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

Central Standard Time (CST)

UTC-6 • Chicago, Dallas, Mexico City

--:--:--

Select a time to convert

Time Difference: --

UTC Offset (PDT): -07:00

UTC Offset (CST): -06:00

DST Status: --

PDT Time: --

CST Time: --

Time Format:

Current PDT: --:--:--

Current CST: --:--:--

🇺🇸 PDT is UTC-7 and is observed during daylight saving time. CST is UTC-6 and is the standard time used in winter. The time difference is consistently 1 hour.

PDT to CST Conversion Guide

What is PDT to CST Conversion?

PDT to CST conversion helps you translate time between Pacific Daylight Time and Central Standard Time zones. PDT is UTC-7 and is observed during daylight saving time from March to November. CST is UTC-6 and is the standard time used during winter months. The time difference between these zones is consistently 1 hour, with CST being ahead.

Time Zone Information

Pacific Daylight Time (PDT): Used in the western United States including California, Oregon, Washington, and parts of Canada during daylight saving time. Always UTC-7 during summer months.

Central Standard Time (CST): Used in central United States including Texas, Illinois, and parts of Canada during standard time. Always UTC-6 during winter months.

Time Difference: CST is consistently 1 hour ahead of PDT. This makes scheduling between the Pacific and Central regions predictable.

Daylight Saving Time Impact

Pacific Region: Observes PDT (UTC-7) during summer and PST (UTC-8) during winter

Central Region: Observes CDT (UTC-5) during summer and CST (UTC-6) during winter

Mixed Seasons: When converting PDT to CST, you're mixing summer and winter times, creating a 1-hour difference

Common Conversion Examples

Business Hours

PDT 9:00 AM → CST 10:00 AM

PDT 5:00 PM → CST 6:00 PM

Good overlap for business meetings

Meeting Planning

Best PDT Time: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Converts to CST: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Ideal business hours overlap

Travel Planning

PDT Departure: 10:00 PM

CST Arrival: 11:00 PM

Easy to calculate arrival times

Event Scheduling

PDT Midnight: 1:00 AM CST

PDT Noon: 1:00 PM CST

Consistent 1-hour difference

Conversion Tips & Best Practices

• Simple conversion - just add 1 hour to PDT to get CST

• PDT is only used during daylight saving time (March-November)

• CST is only used during standard time (November-March)

• During summer, you'd typically convert PDT to CDT instead

• Business hours overlap well between these time zones

• Both regions observe daylight saving time with synchronized dates

PDT to CST Time Converter That Just Makes Sense

If you’ve ever found yourself squinting at meeting invites or checking world clocks to figure out what time it is in another U.S. time zone, this tool is for you. The PDT to CST Time Converter is a clean, straightforward utility that helps you translate time between Pacific Daylight Time (used on the WEST Coast) and Central Standard Time (used in the Midwest and parts of Mexico). It does the math for you, factoring in things like daylight saving and time offsets, all while giving you control over the format and details you want to see.

Why this converter comes in handy more often than you'd think

This tool is useful whether you're managing work between Los Angeles and Chicago, planning travel, or coordinating a livestream. Because PDT and CST are only one hour apart, it’s easy to assume the difference—but it gets tricky during daylight saving transitions. This converter keeps you on track regardless of season or setting. And it’s not just a static calculator. It updates live time for both zones, which is incredibly helpful if you're juggling same-day plans.

Here’s how it works

Set your input time

Start by choosing a date and time using the input fields at the top of the calculator. You can toggle between Pacific or Central time as your starting point using the dropdown menu.

Adjust your settings

In the Conversion Settings panel, there are a few checkboxes that tweak how the converter behaves:

Auto Convert – Updates the result instantly as you adjust the input.
Daylight Saving Aware – Keeps conversions accurate whether you're in July or January.
Show UTC Offset – Adds a visual cue to show you exactly how many hours behind or ahead each time zone is.

Choose your format

At the bottom of the tool, you can switch between 12-hour and 24-hour time formats. That means whether you're used to 3:00 PM or 15:00, you’re covered.

Real-time display

The converter displays current local time in both zones side by side, so even without inputting anything, you get a quick reference of what time it is right now in each place.

Buttons that actually save you clicks

Convert Time – Triggers the conversion based on your selected date and time.
Swap – Flips the input and output zones. If you started with PDT, now you’ll see it as CST input.
Now – Fills in the current time from your selected input zone.
Reset – Restores everything back to default settings and times.

Understanding the output

Once a time is entered, the result panel shows the converted time, the date in the destination zone, the time difference (always 1 hour in this case), and optional UTC offsets. It also breaks down both times again in a formatted, easy-to-read view.

Built-in examples to guide your planning

The converter includes a section with helpful real-world examples like business hour overlaps, ideal meeting slots, and travel timelines. These aren't just nice to have—they make quick decisions easier.

Common questions this tool already thought through

“Is daylight saving time handled?”

Yes. It recognizes whether the selected date falls under daylight saving for either time zone and adjusts the math automatically.

“Can I use this for future planning?”

Definitely. You can pick any date, past or future, and it will give you an accurate conversion based on the historical or expected rules of DST.

“What if I prefer 24-hour format?”

Just hit the format toggle button. You can switch back and forth anytime, and your results update instantly.

“Is this only for U.S. time zones?”

This version is tailored for PDT and CST specifically, including cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Dallas, and Chicago. It’s great for regional scheduling inside the U.S. or Mexico.

One example where it really comes through

Let’s say you're planning a product demo from your office in San Francisco (PDT) for a client in Dallas (CST). You want to start at 2:30 PM your time. With this tool, you’ll immediately see that means 3:30 PM for your client. Simple, clear, and no need to check world clocks or mess with your calendar settings.

Keep your time straight, wherever the schedule takes you

Whether you're coordinating across teams, booking flights, or just checking in with someone in a different zone, this converter gives you exactly what you need without the extra noise. No guessing, no mismatched invites. Just clean, accurate time conversions that keep your schedule moving without a hitch.