In our globalized world, time zones are essential for keeping everyone on the same page, whether we’re coordinating international business deals, booking travel, or simply trying to schedule a phone call.
But what’s the difference between Pacific Standard Time (PST) and Central Standard Time (CST)?
This article breaks down the key differences between PST and CST, including the time difference, where each time zone is used, and other related time zones that you may find useful.
What’s the time difference between PST and CST?
Central Standard Time (CST) is always two hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time (PST). So, if it’s 10:00 AM in Los Angeles, it’s 12:00 PM in Chicago.
Daylight Saving Time (DST) doesn’t change the difference. When Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) is in effect, the difference between PDT and Central Daylight Time (CDT) remains two hours.
If you work with people in both time zones, the best time to schedule a conference call is between 8 AM and 4 PM PST, which is 10 AM to 6 PM CDT. This allows people on the West Coast to start their day and those in the Central Time Zone to wrap up before dinner.
Pacific Standard Time (PST)
Pacific Standard Time (PST) is one of the time zones used in North America. It’s equivalent to UTC-8, meaning it’s eight hours behind Coordinated Universal Time.
PST is primarily observed during the winter months, after Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) ends in the fall and before it begins again in the spring. It’s most commonly used in the western parts of North America, including the states of California, Washington, and Oregon in the United States, as well as the province of British Columbia in Canada.
Major cities that observe PST include:
- Los Angeles, California
- San Francisco, California
- Seattle, Washington
- Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada)
PST can be represented in different ways, including -08, -0800, and -08:00.
The related time zone, Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), is observed during the summer months, when clocks are shifted forward by one hour.
Central Standard Time (CST)
Central Standard Time (CST) is six hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-6). It’s mainly observed during the winter months in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.
You’ll find CST in:
- Parts of Canada
- The central United States
- Mexico
- Parts of Central America
- The Caribbean
Some major cities that follow CST include Chicago, Houston, Winnipeg, and Mexico City.
CST can be written in a few different ways: -06, -0600, or -06:00. During the summer, many of the areas that observe CST switch over to Central Daylight Time (CDT), which is UTC-5.
Daylight Saving Time
Daylight Saving Time (DST) means setting the clocks ahead during the warmer months, giving us more daylight in the evening. This affects both PST and CST.
During DST, PST changes to PDT (Pacific Daylight Time), and CST changes to CDT (Central Daylight Time). In the spring, clocks are moved forward one hour, and in the fall, they go back.
DST usually begins in March and ends in November, but the exact dates change every year. Be sure to adjust your clocks accordingly!
Putting it into practice
When scheduling a meeting between someone in Los Angeles (PST) and someone in Chicago (CST), remember the two-hour difference. If you schedule a meeting for 10:00 AM PST, that’s 12:00 PM CST.
This is also important to keep in mind when you’re booking travel. Let’s say you book a flight that leaves Los Angeles at 8:00 AM PST and arrives in Chicago at 2:00 PM CST. The flight time is actually four hours, not six, because of the time zone difference.
If you have trouble remembering, there are a lot of time zone converters online. Just type in the two cities and it will tell you the difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 9:00 CST in PST?
9:00 AM Central Standard Time (CST) is 7:00 AM Pacific Standard Time (PST). Remember, CST is two hours ahead of PST. So, if you’re planning a call and it’s 9 in the morning in Chicago, it’s still early morning on the West Coast.
How do I convert PST time to CST time manually?
To convert PST to CST, simply add two hours to the PST time. For example, if it’s 1:00 PM PST, adding two hours makes it 3:00 PM CST. Just remember to adjust for AM and PM if needed, especially when crossing midnight.
What time is 2 PM PST in CST today?
2:00 PM Pacific Standard Time (PST) is 4:00 PM Central Standard Time (CST). This holds true during standard time. When Daylight Saving Time is in effect, you’ll need to double-check because the difference might shift.
Is PST always 2 hours behind CST?
No, PST isn’t always two hours behind CST. The difference is two hours only during standard time. During Daylight Saving Time (which typically runs from March to November), the difference is reduced to just one hour because CST observes Central Daylight Time (CDT) while PST observes Pacific Daylight Time (PDT). Always check a time zone converter if you’re unsure!
In Closing
As we’ve seen, the key difference between PST and CST is that Central Standard Time is two hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time. Both time zones observe daylight saving time during the warmer months, so the two-hour difference remains consistent throughout the year.
Understanding the difference between these time zones, and others, is essential for clear communication and effective coordination, whether you’re scheduling a meeting, planning travel, or just trying to call a friend.
In our increasingly globalized world, knowing how time zones work has never been more important.