CST to CAT Time Converter
CAT is 7 hours ahead of CST. The US Central states are currently on CDT (UTC-5:00), and CAT is UTC+2:00.
Best Time to Call Between CST and CAT
Both zones are inside normal business hours between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM CST — that's 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM CAT. That's a 1-hour window.
both at work CST only CAT only neither — hours along the strip are CST.
Common Times Converted
CST on the left, CAT on the right.
CST to CAT: Full 24-Hour Conversion Table
Shaded rows are working hours; the darker shade marks the hours when both zones are at work.
| CST | CAT | Working hours |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 AM | 7:00 AM | — |
| 1:00 AM | 8:00 AM | — |
| 2:00 AM | 9:00 AM | CAT only |
| 3:00 AM | 10:00 AM | CAT only |
| 4:00 AM | 11:00 AM | CAT only |
| 5:00 AM | 12:00 PM | CAT only |
| 6:00 AM | 1:00 PM | CAT only |
| 7:00 AM | 2:00 PM | CAT only |
| 8:00 AM | 3:00 PM | CAT only |
| 9:00 AM | 4:00 PM | Both zones |
| 10:00 AM | 5:00 PM | CST only |
| 11:00 AM | 6:00 PM | CST only |
| 12:00 PM | 7:00 PM | CST only |
| 1:00 PM | 8:00 PM | CST only |
| 2:00 PM | 9:00 PM | CST only |
| 3:00 PM | 10:00 PM | CST only |
| 4:00 PM | 11:00 PM | CST only |
| 5:00 PM | 12:00 AM next day | — |
| 6:00 PM | 1:00 AM next day | — |
| 7:00 PM | 2:00 AM next day | — |
| 8:00 PM | 3:00 AM next day | — |
| 9:00 PM | 4:00 AM next day | — |
| 10:00 PM | 5:00 AM next day | — |
| 11:00 PM | 6:00 AM next day | — |
What CST and CAT 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.
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.
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 CST
Cities on CAT
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between CST and CAT?
CAT is 7 hours ahead of CST. That is the live figure. Taken strictly as written, the gap between CST and CAT is 8 hours — the two differ because at least one of these regions is currently on daylight saving.
What is 9:00 AM CST in CAT?
9:00 AM CST is 4:00 PM CAT.
What are the best hours to schedule a call between CST and CAT?
Between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM CST, which is 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM CAT. Both sides are inside normal business hours through that window.
Does the difference between CST and CAT 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.