Seoul to Chicago Time Difference
Chicago is 14 hours behind Seoul. When it's 01:29:59 AM in Seoul, it's 11:29:59 AM in Chicago.
How Many Hours Behind Is Chicago From Seoul?
Chicago is 14 hours behind Seoul. So Seoul is 14 hours ahead of Chicago looking the other way — the same gap, described from the other end.
In practice that means a working day in Seoul starts when it is already 7:00 PM the previous day in Chicago. The gap is not fixed all year: it becomes 15 hours on Sunday, November 1, 2026, when Chicago changes its clocks.
Best Time to Call Seoul and Chicago
Standard 9-to-5 hours in Seoul and Chicago never overlap, so someone has to take the call outside their working day. The most workable window is 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM in Seoul, which is 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM in Chicago.
both at work Seoul only Chicago only neither — hours shown along the strip are Seoul local time.
Convert a Specific Time
Pick any date and time in Seoul to see the exact equivalent in Chicago.
Common Times Converted
Seoul time on the left, Chicago time on the right.
Seoul to Chicago: Full 24-Hour Conversion Table
Based on today, Monday, October 12, 2026 in Seoul. Shaded rows are working hours; the darker shade marks the hours when both cities are at work.
| Seoul | Chicago | Working hours |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 AM | 10:00 AM prev day | Chicago only |
| 1:00 AM | 11:00 AM prev day | Chicago only |
| 2:00 AM | 12:00 PM prev day | Chicago only |
| 3:00 AM | 1:00 PM prev day | Chicago only |
| 4:00 AM | 2:00 PM prev day | Chicago only |
| 5:00 AM | 3:00 PM prev day | Chicago only |
| 6:00 AM | 4:00 PM prev day | Chicago only |
| 7:00 AM | 5:00 PM prev day | — |
| 8:00 AM | 6:00 PM prev day | — |
| 9:00 AM | 7:00 PM prev day | Seoul only |
| 10:00 AM | 8:00 PM prev day | Seoul only |
| 11:00 AM | 9:00 PM prev day | Seoul only |
| 12:00 PM | 10:00 PM prev day | Seoul only |
| 1:00 PM | 11:00 PM prev day | Seoul only |
| 2:00 PM | 12:00 AM | Seoul only |
| 3:00 PM | 1:00 AM | Seoul only |
| 4:00 PM | 2:00 AM | Seoul only |
| 5:00 PM | 3:00 AM | — |
| 6:00 PM | 4:00 AM | — |
| 7:00 PM | 5:00 AM | — |
| 8:00 PM | 6:00 AM | — |
| 9:00 PM | 7:00 AM | — |
| 10:00 PM | 8:00 AM | — |
| 11:00 PM | 9:00 AM | Chicago only |
Understanding the Seoul – Chicago Time Difference
Seoul runs on Asia/Seoul, currently KST (UTC+9:00). Chicago runs on America/Chicago, currently CDT (UTC-5:00). The gap of 14 hours is simply the distance between those two offsets.
Chicago observes Daylight Saving Time and Seoul does not, so the gap between them shifts by an hour twice a year. The next shift is on Sunday, November 1, 2026, when Chicago adjusts its clocks and the difference becomes 15 hours. Anything scheduled across that date needs checking again.
Full clock-change dates: Daylight Saving Time in the United States.
Seoul today
Chicago today
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between Seoul and Chicago?
Chicago is currently 14 hours behind Seoul. That gap becomes 15 hours on Sunday, November 1, 2026, when Chicago changes its clocks.
How many hours behind is Chicago from Seoul?
Chicago is 14 hours behind Seoul. Looking at it the other way, Seoul is 14 hours ahead of Chicago.
What time is it in Chicago when it is 9:00 AM in Seoul?
When it is 9:00 AM in Seoul, it is 7:00 PM the previous day in Chicago.
Is Chicago ahead of or behind Seoul?
Chicago is 14 hours behind Seoul. Seoul reaches each point in the day first, so Chicago is still getting started while the Seoul working day is finishing.
What is the best time to call between Seoul and Chicago?
Standard business hours in Seoul and Chicago do not overlap at all, so one side has to step outside the 9-to-5. The most workable window is 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM in Seoul, which is 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM in Chicago.
Does the time difference between Seoul and Chicago change during the year?
Yes. Chicago observes Daylight Saving Time and Seoul does not, so the gap between them shifts during the year. It changes to 15 hours on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
What time zones are Seoul and Chicago in?
Seoul uses the Asia/Seoul time zone, currently KST (UTC+9:00). Chicago uses America/Chicago, currently CDT (UTC-5:00).