CET to IST converter

CET to IST quick reference

CET or CEST? Daylight saving explained

CET (UTC+1) is the winter name and CEST (UTC+2) the summer name, used by Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Rome and most of the EU. “CET” usually means local time there whatever the season, so MeetETA reads it that way.

IST is India Standard Time, UTC+5:30, used across all of India. India does not use daylight saving, so IST never changes.

Right now Paris is on CEST, UTC+2 and India is on IST, UTC+5:30 (the clocks at the top of the page always show the live values).

How the gap changes during the year

India is 3.5 hours ahead of Paris while Paris is on CEST, and 4.5 hours ahead of Paris while Paris is on CET.

Working-day overlap, hour by hour

Each row is an hour in Paris. Green means that side is inside a 9–5 working day. While Paris is on CEST there is 4 h 30 m of shared 9–5 time; the easiest window is 7 AM–6:30 PM CEST (10:30 AM–10 PM IST). While Paris is on CET there is 3 h 30 m of shared 9–5 time; the easiest window is 7 AM–5:30 PM CET (11:30 AM–10 PM IST).

Shows Paris 5 AM to 10 PM. Times on the India side may fall on the next day.

Example conversions

Questions people ask

What is the time difference between CET and IST?

India is 3 h 30 m ahead of Paris while Paris is on CEST, and 4 h 30 m ahead of Paris while Paris is on CET. Right now it is 3 h 30 m.

Does the CET to IST difference change with daylight saving?

Yes. Central European Time changes its clocks and India Standard Time does not, so the gap moves by an hour twice a year (next on Sun 25 Oct 2026).

How do I convert 3 PM CET to IST?

While Paris is on CEST, 3 PM CEST is 6:30 PM IST. While Paris is on CET, 3 PM CET is 7:30 PM IST. Or just type “3 PM CET” in the converter at the top of this page.

When can Central Europe and India meet during work hours?

While Paris is on CEST there is 4 h 30 m of shared 9–5 time; the most comfortable window is 7 AM–6:30 PM CEST (10:30 AM–10 PM IST). While Paris is on CET there is 3 h 30 m of shared 9–5 time; the most comfortable window is 7 AM–5:30 PM CET (11:30 AM–10 PM IST).

What time is 9 PM IST in CET?

While Paris is on CEST, 9 PM IST is 5:30 PM CEST. While Paris is on CET, 9 PM IST is 4:30 PM CET. For other times, type something like “9 PM IST” in the converter.

Should I write CET or CEST?

CET (UTC+1) is the winter name and CEST (UTC+2) the summer name, used by Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Rome and most of the EU. “CET” usually means local time there whatever the season, so MeetETA reads it that way.

Is MeetETA free?

Yes. MeetETA is free, shows no ads and needs no account. Your cities and settings stay in your browser, and where consent is required, analytics only load after you accept cookies.