Chicago to Sydney Time Difference
Sydney is 16 hours ahead of Chicago. When it's 11:27:19 AM in Chicago, it's 03:27:19 AM in Sydney.
How Many Hours Ahead Is Sydney From Chicago?
Sydney is 16 hours ahead of Chicago. So Chicago is 16 hours behind Sydney looking the other way — the same gap, described from the other end.
In practice that means a working day in Chicago starts when it is already 1:00 AM the next day in Sydney. The gap is not fixed all year: it becomes 17 hours on Sunday, November 1, 2026, when Chicago changes its clocks.
Best Time to Call Chicago and Sydney
Standard 9-to-5 hours in Chicago and Sydney never overlap, so someone has to take the call outside their working day. The most workable window is 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM in Chicago, which is 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM in Sydney.
both at work Chicago only Sydney only neither — hours shown along the strip are Chicago local time.
Convert a Specific Time
Pick any date and time in Chicago to see the exact equivalent in Sydney.
Common Times Converted
Chicago time on the left, Sydney time on the right.
Chicago to Sydney: Full 24-Hour Conversion Table
Based on today, Sunday, October 11, 2026 in Chicago. Shaded rows are working hours; the darker shade marks the hours when both cities are at work.
| Chicago | Sydney | Working hours |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 AM | 4:00 PM | Sydney only |
| 1:00 AM | 5:00 PM | — |
| 2:00 AM | 6:00 PM | — |
| 3:00 AM | 7:00 PM | — |
| 4:00 AM | 8:00 PM | — |
| 5:00 AM | 9:00 PM | — |
| 6:00 AM | 10:00 PM | — |
| 7:00 AM | 11:00 PM | — |
| 8:00 AM | 12:00 AM next day | — |
| 9:00 AM | 1:00 AM next day | Chicago only |
| 10:00 AM | 2:00 AM next day | Chicago only |
| 11:00 AM | 3:00 AM next day | Chicago only |
| 12:00 PM | 4:00 AM next day | Chicago only |
| 1:00 PM | 5:00 AM next day | Chicago only |
| 2:00 PM | 6:00 AM next day | Chicago only |
| 3:00 PM | 7:00 AM next day | Chicago only |
| 4:00 PM | 8:00 AM next day | Chicago only |
| 5:00 PM | 9:00 AM next day | Sydney only |
| 6:00 PM | 10:00 AM next day | Sydney only |
| 7:00 PM | 11:00 AM next day | Sydney only |
| 8:00 PM | 12:00 PM next day | Sydney only |
| 9:00 PM | 1:00 PM next day | Sydney only |
| 10:00 PM | 2:00 PM next day | Sydney only |
| 11:00 PM | 3:00 PM next day | Sydney only |
Understanding the Chicago – Sydney Time Difference
Chicago runs on America/Chicago, currently CDT (UTC-5:00). Sydney runs on Australia/Sydney, currently AEDT (UTC+11:00). The gap of 16 hours is simply the distance between those two offsets.
Both cities observe Daylight Saving Time, but they don't switch on the same date — so for a few weeks each year the gap between them is different again. The next shift is on Sunday, November 1, 2026, when Chicago adjusts its clocks and the difference becomes 17 hours. Anything scheduled across that date needs checking again.
Full clock-change dates: Daylight Saving Time in the United States · Daylight Saving Time in Australia.
Chicago today
Sydney today
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between Chicago and Sydney?
Sydney is currently 16 hours ahead of Chicago. That gap becomes 17 hours on Sunday, November 1, 2026, when Chicago changes its clocks.
How many hours ahead is Sydney from Chicago?
Sydney is 16 hours ahead of Chicago. Looking at it the other way, Chicago is 16 hours behind Sydney.
What time is it in Sydney when it is 9:00 AM in Chicago?
When it is 9:00 AM in Chicago, it is 1:00 AM the next day in Sydney.
Is Sydney ahead of or behind Chicago?
Sydney is 16 hours ahead of Chicago. Sydney reaches each point in the day first, so its working day is already finishing while Chicago is still getting started.
What is the best time to call between Chicago and Sydney?
Standard business hours in Chicago and Sydney do not overlap at all, so one side has to step outside the 9-to-5. The most workable window is 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM in Chicago, which is 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM in Sydney.
Does the time difference between Chicago and Sydney change during the year?
Yes. Both cities observe Daylight Saving Time, and they do not always switch on the same date, so the gap between them shifts during the year. It changes to 17 hours on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
What time zones are Chicago and Sydney in?
Chicago uses the America/Chicago time zone, currently CDT (UTC-5:00). Sydney uses Australia/Sydney, currently AEDT (UTC+11:00).