Sydney to Chicago Time Difference
Chicago is 16 hours behind Sydney. When it's 03:27:23 AM in Sydney, it's 11:27:23 AM in Chicago.
How Many Hours Behind Is Chicago From Sydney?
Chicago is 16 hours behind Sydney. So Sydney is 16 hours ahead of Chicago looking the other way — the same gap, described from the other end.
In practice that means a working day in Sydney starts when it is already 5:00 PM the previous day in Chicago. The gap is not fixed all year: it becomes 17 hours on Sunday, November 1, 2026, when Chicago changes its clocks.
Best Time to Call Sydney and Chicago
Standard 9-to-5 hours in Sydney and Chicago never overlap, so someone has to take the call outside their working day. The most workable window is 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM in Sydney, which is 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM in Chicago.
both at work Sydney only Chicago only neither — hours shown along the strip are Sydney local time.
Convert a Specific Time
Pick any date and time in Sydney to see the exact equivalent in Chicago.
Common Times Converted
Sydney time on the left, Chicago time on the right.
Sydney to Chicago: Full 24-Hour Conversion Table
Based on today, Monday, October 12, 2026 in Sydney. Shaded rows are working hours; the darker shade marks the hours when both cities are at work.
| Sydney | Chicago | Working hours |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 AM | 8:00 AM prev day | — |
| 1:00 AM | 9:00 AM prev day | Chicago only |
| 2:00 AM | 10:00 AM prev day | Chicago only |
| 3:00 AM | 11:00 AM prev day | Chicago only |
| 4:00 AM | 12:00 PM prev day | Chicago only |
| 5:00 AM | 1:00 PM prev day | Chicago only |
| 6:00 AM | 2:00 PM prev day | Chicago only |
| 7:00 AM | 3:00 PM prev day | Chicago only |
| 8:00 AM | 4:00 PM prev day | Chicago only |
| 9:00 AM | 5:00 PM prev day | Sydney only |
| 10:00 AM | 6:00 PM prev day | Sydney only |
| 11:00 AM | 7:00 PM prev day | Sydney only |
| 12:00 PM | 8:00 PM prev day | Sydney only |
| 1:00 PM | 9:00 PM prev day | Sydney only |
| 2:00 PM | 10:00 PM prev day | Sydney only |
| 3:00 PM | 11:00 PM prev day | Sydney only |
| 4:00 PM | 12:00 AM | Sydney only |
| 5:00 PM | 1:00 AM | — |
| 6:00 PM | 2:00 AM | — |
| 7:00 PM | 3:00 AM | — |
| 8:00 PM | 4:00 AM | — |
| 9:00 PM | 5:00 AM | — |
| 10:00 PM | 6:00 AM | — |
| 11:00 PM | 7:00 AM | — |
Understanding the Sydney – Chicago Time Difference
Sydney runs on Australia/Sydney, currently AEDT (UTC+11:00). Chicago runs on America/Chicago, currently CDT (UTC-5:00). The gap of 16 hours is simply the distance between those two offsets.
Both cities observe Daylight Saving Time, but they don't switch on the same date — so for a few weeks each year the gap between them is different again. The next shift is on Sunday, November 1, 2026, when Chicago adjusts its clocks and the difference becomes 17 hours. Anything scheduled across that date needs checking again.
Full clock-change dates: Daylight Saving Time in Australia · Daylight Saving Time in the United States.
Sydney today
Chicago today
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between Sydney and Chicago?
Chicago is currently 16 hours behind Sydney. That gap becomes 17 hours on Sunday, November 1, 2026, when Chicago changes its clocks.
How many hours behind is Chicago from Sydney?
Chicago is 16 hours behind Sydney. Looking at it the other way, Sydney is 16 hours ahead of Chicago.
What time is it in Chicago when it is 9:00 AM in Sydney?
When it is 9:00 AM in Sydney, it is 5:00 PM the previous day in Chicago.
Is Chicago ahead of or behind Sydney?
Chicago is 16 hours behind Sydney. Sydney reaches each point in the day first, so Chicago is still getting started while the Sydney working day is finishing.
What is the best time to call between Sydney and Chicago?
Standard business hours in Sydney and Chicago do not overlap at all, so one side has to step outside the 9-to-5. The most workable window is 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM in Sydney, which is 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM in Chicago.
Does the time difference between Sydney and Chicago change during the year?
Yes. Both cities observe Daylight Saving Time, and they do not always switch on the same date, so the gap between them shifts during the year. It changes to 17 hours on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
What time zones are Sydney and Chicago in?
Sydney uses the Australia/Sydney time zone, currently AEDT (UTC+11:00). Chicago uses America/Chicago, currently CDT (UTC-5:00).