CAT to CST Time Converter
CST is 7 hours behind CAT. CAT is UTC+2:00, and The US Central states are currently on CDT (UTC-5:00).
Best Time to Call Between CAT and CST
Both zones are inside normal business hours between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM CAT — that's 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST. That's a 1-hour window.
both at work CAT only CST only neither — hours along the strip are CAT.
Common Times Converted
CAT on the left, CST on the right.
CAT to CST: Full 24-Hour Conversion Table
Shaded rows are working hours; the darker shade marks the hours when both zones are at work.
| CAT | CST | Working hours |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 AM | 5:00 PM prev day | — |
| 1:00 AM | 6:00 PM prev day | — |
| 2:00 AM | 7:00 PM prev day | — |
| 3:00 AM | 8:00 PM prev day | — |
| 4:00 AM | 9:00 PM prev day | — |
| 5:00 AM | 10:00 PM prev day | — |
| 6:00 AM | 11:00 PM prev day | — |
| 7:00 AM | 12:00 AM | — |
| 8:00 AM | 1:00 AM | — |
| 9:00 AM | 2:00 AM | CAT only |
| 10:00 AM | 3:00 AM | CAT only |
| 11:00 AM | 4:00 AM | CAT only |
| 12:00 PM | 5:00 AM | CAT only |
| 1:00 PM | 6:00 AM | CAT only |
| 2:00 PM | 7:00 AM | CAT only |
| 3:00 PM | 8:00 AM | CAT only |
| 4:00 PM | 9:00 AM | Both zones |
| 5:00 PM | 10:00 AM | CST only |
| 6:00 PM | 11:00 AM | CST only |
| 7:00 PM | 12:00 PM | CST only |
| 8:00 PM | 1:00 PM | CST only |
| 9:00 PM | 2:00 PM | CST only |
| 10:00 PM | 3:00 PM | CST only |
| 11:00 PM | 4:00 PM | CST only |
What CAT and CST Actually Are
CAT — Central Africa Time
Harare, Lusaka, Maputo, Khartoum. Standing at UTC+2:00 as written, and the region does not change its clocks, so that offset holds all year.
Central Africa Time has never used daylight saving. Near the equator the length of the day changes so little that there would be nothing to shift.
CST — Central Standard Time
Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Mexico City, Winnipeg. Standing at UTC-6:00 as written, and the region does change its clocks, so its live offset moves by an hour twice a year. The next change is on Sunday, November 1, 2026, to CST. CST also stands for China Standard Time (UTC+8) and Cuba Standard Time (UTC-5). This page covers the North American one.
Saskatchewan sits inside the Central zone but never changes its clocks, so it matches CST in winter and its neighbors' MDT in summer.
What This Means in Practice
This gap is not fixed
CST changes its clocks and CAT does not, so the difference between them moves by an hour twice a year. A recurring meeting set now will drift for one side from Sunday, November 1, 2026 unless someone resets it.
Major Cities in Each Zone
Cities on CAT
Cities on CST
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between CAT and CST?
CST is 7 hours behind CAT. That is the live figure. Taken strictly as written, the gap between CAT and CST is 8 hours — the two differ because at least one of these regions is currently on daylight saving.
What is 9:00 AM CAT in CST?
9:00 AM CAT is 2:00 AM CST.
What are the best hours to schedule a call between CAT and CST?
Between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM CAT, which is 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM CST. Both sides are inside normal business hours through that window.
Does the difference between CAT and CST change during the year?
Yes. CST observes daylight saving and CAT does not, so the gap shifts by an hour at least twice a year. The next clock change is on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
Does CST always mean Central Standard Time?
CST also stands for China Standard Time (UTC+8) and Cuba Standard Time (UTC-5). This page covers the North American one.