CST to MST Time Converter
MST is 1 hour behind CST. The US Central states are currently on CDT (UTC-5:00), and The US Mountain states are currently on MDT (UTC-6:00).
Best Time to Call Between CST and MST
Both zones are inside normal business hours between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM CST — that's 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM MST. That's a 7-hour window.
both at work CST only MST only neither — hours along the strip are CST.
Common Times Converted
CST on the left, MST on the right.
CST to MST: Full 24-Hour Conversion Table
Shaded rows are working hours; the darker shade marks the hours when both zones are at work.
| CST | MST | Working hours |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 AM | 11:00 PM prev day | — |
| 1:00 AM | 12:00 AM | — |
| 2:00 AM | 1:00 AM | — |
| 3:00 AM | 2:00 AM | — |
| 4:00 AM | 3:00 AM | — |
| 5:00 AM | 4:00 AM | — |
| 6:00 AM | 5:00 AM | — |
| 7:00 AM | 6:00 AM | — |
| 8:00 AM | 7:00 AM | — |
| 9:00 AM | 8:00 AM | CST only |
| 10:00 AM | 9:00 AM | Both zones |
| 11:00 AM | 10:00 AM | Both zones |
| 12:00 PM | 11:00 AM | Both zones |
| 1:00 PM | 12:00 PM | Both zones |
| 2:00 PM | 1:00 PM | Both zones |
| 3:00 PM | 2:00 PM | Both zones |
| 4:00 PM | 3:00 PM | Both zones |
| 5:00 PM | 4:00 PM | MST only |
| 6:00 PM | 5:00 PM | — |
| 7:00 PM | 6:00 PM | — |
| 8:00 PM | 7:00 PM | — |
| 9:00 PM | 8:00 PM | — |
| 10:00 PM | 9:00 PM | — |
| 11:00 PM | 10:00 PM | — |
What CST and MST 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.
MST — Mountain Standard Time
Denver, Salt Lake City, Calgary — and Phoenix year-round. Standing at UTC-7:00 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 MST. Arizona stays on MST all year, so Phoenix and Denver are an hour apart for eight months and identical for four.
Arizona has stayed on MST year-round since 1968 — the Navajo Nation within it does observe daylight saving, making the state a patchwork.
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.
Close enough to share a working day
At only 1 hour apart, the two working days overlap almost completely. Scheduling is barely constrained by the difference.
Major Cities in Each Zone
Cities on CST
Cities on MST
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between CST and MST?
MST is 1 hour behind CST.
What is 9:00 AM CST in MST?
9:00 AM CST is 8:00 AM MST.
What are the best hours to schedule a call between CST and MST?
Between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM CST, which is 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM MST. Both sides are inside normal business hours through that window.
Does the difference between CST and MST 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.
Does MST always mean Mountain Standard Time?
Arizona stays on MST all year, so Phoenix and Denver are an hour apart for eight months and identical for four.