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