CST
Central Standard Time
US & Canada central (winter)
Now in Chicago:
CST — Central Standard Time
Quick facts
- Abbreviation
- CST
- Full name
- Central Standard Time
- UTC offset
- UTC-6
- Type
- Standard time
- Seasonal pair
- CDT (UTC-5)
- Used in
- US & Canada central (winter)
- Example zone
- America/Chicago
Cities that use CST
About CST
CST is the abbreviation for Central Standard Time, a time zone offset of UTC-6. It applies in US & Canada central (winter). It is the standard, winter offset; in summer the same region switches to CDT (UTC-5).
Ambiguous: "CST" also means China Standard Time (UTC+8) and Cuba Standard Time (UTC-5). Context decides which is meant.
Time-zone abbreviations are convenient but not unique or official — several codes are shared by more than one zone. When precision matters, use the underlying IANA zone name (for example America/Chicago) or the UTC offset UTC-6 instead.
Frequently asked questions
- What does CST stand for?
- CST stands for Central Standard Time. It is UTC-6, used in US & Canada central (winter). Ambiguous: "CST" also means China Standard Time (UTC+8) and Cuba Standard Time (UTC-5). Context decides which is meant.
- What is the UTC offset of CST?
- CST (Central Standard Time) is UTC-6, meaning it is 6 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time.
- What is the daylight-saving version of CST?
- CST is the winter (standard) abbreviation. Its counterpart is CDT (Central Daylight Time, UTC-5), used in the other half of the year.
See also: all time zone abbreviations