Convert any time between CST and AKST, with a full 24-hour table and the hours when both sides are actually at work.

CST to AKST Time Converter

AKST is 3 hours behind CST. The US Central states are currently on CDT (UTC-5:00), and Alaska is currently on AKDT (UTC-8:00).

CST
Central Standard Time
07:56:11 AM
Sunday, October 11, 2026
UTC-5:00
-3:00
hours difference
⇆ Reverse
AKST
Alaska Standard Time
04:56:11 AM
Sunday, October 11, 2026
UTC-8:00

Best Time to Call Between CST and AKST

Both zones are inside normal business hours between 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM CST — that's 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM AKST. That's a 5-hour window.

both at work CST only AKST only neither  —  hours along the strip are CST.

CST to AKST: Full 24-Hour Conversion Table

Shaded rows are working hours; the darker shade marks the hours when both zones are at work.

CSTAKSTWorking hours
12:00 AM 9:00 PM prev day —
1:00 AM 10:00 PM prev day —
2:00 AM 11:00 PM prev day —
3:00 AM 12:00 AM —
4:00 AM 1:00 AM —
5:00 AM 2:00 AM —
6:00 AM 3:00 AM —
7:00 AM 4:00 AM —
8:00 AM 5:00 AM —
9:00 AM 6:00 AM CST only
10:00 AM 7:00 AM CST only
11:00 AM 8:00 AM CST only
12:00 PM 9:00 AM Both zones
1:00 PM 10:00 AM Both zones
2:00 PM 11:00 AM Both zones
3:00 PM 12:00 PM Both zones
4:00 PM 1:00 PM Both zones
5:00 PM 2:00 PM AKST only
6:00 PM 3:00 PM AKST only
7:00 PM 4:00 PM AKST only
8:00 PM 5:00 PM —
9:00 PM 6:00 PM —
10:00 PM 7:00 PM —
11:00 PM 8:00 PM —

What CST and AKST Actually Are

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.

AKST — Alaska Standard Time

Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau. Standing at UTC-9:00 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 AKST.

Alaska compressed four time zones into one in 1983, moving most of the state onto a single clock to keep business hours aligned with the rest of the country.

What This Means in Practice

Both sides change clocks, on different dates

Both regions observe daylight saving but do not switch on the same day, so for a week or two each spring and fall the gap between them is an hour different from the rest of the year. Those short windows are where recurring invitations quietly break.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the time difference between CST and AKST?

AKST is 3 hours behind CST.

What is 9:00 AM CST in AKST?

9:00 AM CST is 6:00 AM AKST.

What are the best hours to schedule a call between CST and AKST?

Between 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM CST, which is 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM AKST. Both sides are inside normal business hours through that window.

Does the difference between CST and AKST change during the year?

Yes. Both regions observe daylight saving, and they do not switch on the same dates, 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.

Converting between two time zones regularly? Bookmark this page — the clocks update live and the table follows daylight saving automatically.