MST to CST converter

MST to CST quick reference

MST or MDT, CST or CDT? Daylight saving explained

MST (UTC−7) is the winter name and MDT (UTC−6) the summer name. This page uses Denver time, which changes its clocks. Most of Arizona (Phoenix) stays on MST all year, so in summer Phoenix is an hour behind Denver.

CST (UTC−6) is the winter name and CDT (UTC−5) the summer name. “CST” usually means local Central time (Chicago, Dallas, Houston) whatever the season, so MeetETA reads it that way and handles daylight saving for the date you pick.

Right now Denver is on MDT, UTC−6 and Chicago is on CDT, UTC−5 (the clocks at the top of the page always show the live values).

How the gap changes during the year

Chicago is 1 hour ahead of Denver all year.

Working-day overlap, hour by hour

Each row is an hour in Denver. Green means that side is inside a 9–5 working day. There is 7 h of shared 9–5 time; the easiest window is 7 AM–9 PM MST (8 AM–10 PM CST).

Shows Denver 5 AM to 10 PM. Times on the Chicago side may fall on the next day.

Example conversions

Questions people ask

What is the time difference between MST and CST?

Chicago is 1 h ahead of Denver all year. Right now it is 1 h.

Does the MST to CST difference change with daylight saving?

Both sides use daylight saving, so the gap only changes when they switch on different dates.

How do I convert 3 PM MST to CST?

3 PM MST is 4 PM CST. Or just type “3 PM MST” in the converter at the top of this page.

When can US Mountain time and US Central time meet during work hours?

There is 7 h of shared 9–5 time; the most comfortable window is 7 AM–9 PM MST (8 AM–10 PM CST).

What time is 9 PM CST in MST?

9 PM CST is 8 PM MST. For other times, type something like “9 PM CST” in the converter.

Should I write MST or MDT?

MST (UTC−7) is the winter name and MDT (UTC−6) the summer name. This page uses Denver time, which changes its clocks. Most of Arizona (Phoenix) stays on MST all year, so in summer Phoenix is an hour behind Denver.

Should I write CST or CDT?

CST (UTC−6) is the winter name and CDT (UTC−5) the summer name. “CST” usually means local Central time (Chicago, Dallas, Houston) whatever the season, so MeetETA reads it that way and handles daylight saving for the date you pick.

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.