CT to CAT Time Converter
CAT is 7 hours ahead of CT. The US Central states are currently on CDT (UTC-5:00), and CAT is UTC+2:00.
Best Time to Call Between CT and CAT
Both zones are inside normal business hours between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM CT — that's 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM CAT. That's a 1-hour window.
both at work CT only CAT only neither — hours along the strip are CT.
Common Times Converted
CT on the left, CAT on the right.
CT to CAT: Full 24-Hour Conversion Table
Shaded rows are working hours; the darker shade marks the hours when both zones are at work.
| CT | 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 | CT only |
| 11:00 AM | 6:00 PM | CT only |
| 12:00 PM | 7:00 PM | CT only |
| 1:00 PM | 8:00 PM | CT only |
| 2:00 PM | 9:00 PM | CT only |
| 3:00 PM | 10:00 PM | CT only |
| 4:00 PM | 11:00 PM | CT 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 CT and CAT Actually Are
CT — Central 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.
Central Time is the widest US zone by land area, stretching from the Gulf coast to the Canadian border, and it also covers Mexico City.
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
CT 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 CT
Cities on CAT
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between CT and CAT?
CAT is 7 hours ahead of CT. That is the live figure. Taken strictly as written, the gap between CT 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 CT in CAT?
9:00 AM CT is 4:00 PM CAT.
What are the best hours to schedule a call between CT and CAT?
Between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM CT, which is 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM CAT. Both sides are inside normal business hours through that window.
Does the difference between CT and CAT change during the year?
Yes. CT 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.