When does CDT take effect each year?

CDT begins on the second Sunday in March when clocks advance one hour from CST, and ends on the first Sunday in November when clocks return to standard time.

Is CDT the same time as Eastern Standard Time (EST)?

Yes. Both CDT and EST share the identical UTC-5 offset. However, CDT is observed during summer in the Central zone, while EST is observed during winter in the Eastern zone (or year-round in tropical areas like Panama).

How do I convert CDT to Pacific Time?

CDT is exactly 2 hours ahead of Pacific Daylight Time (PDT). When it is 12:00 PM CDT, it is 10:00 AM PDT.

When does CDT take effect each year?

CDT begins on the second Sunday in March when clocks advance one hour from CST, and ends on the first Sunday in November when clocks return to standard time.

Is CDT the same time as Eastern Standard Time (EST)?

Yes. Both CDT and EST share the identical UTC-5 offset. However, CDT is observed during summer in the Central zone, while EST is observed during winter in the Eastern zone (or year-round in tropical areas like Panama).

How do I convert CDT to Pacific Time?

CDT is exactly 2 hours ahead of Pacific Daylight Time (PDT). When it is 12:00 PM CDT, it is 10:00 AM PDT.

UTC -5CDTDST Active (Summer Time)

Central Daylight Time (CDT) Clock

What time is it in CDT right now? Live Central Daylight Time clock with seconds, UTC-5 offset, CME market hours, and daylight saving transition rules.

11:23:30 AMCDT

Saturday, October 10, 2026

Day 283 of 2026 • Week 41

Your location vs this zone: 5 hours behind.

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Live Central Daylight Time (UTC-5) Reference

Central Daylight Time (CDT, UTC-5) governs the central corridor of the United States and Canada from mid-March through early November. Covering major financial and enterprise hubs like Chicago, Dallas, Houston, and Minneapolis, CDT provides generous overlap with both coasts.

Use our live atomic clock to verify running seconds, track commodity exchange hours, and schedule meetings without timezone confusion.

Summer Agricultural and Derivatives Trading Hours

Observances, offset conventions, and international coordination for Central Daylight Time (CDT).

Interstate Business Overlap Across the Central Corridor

Observances, offset conventions, and international coordination for Central Daylight Time (CDT).

Timezone Specifications & Offset Anchors

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Frequently Asked Questions: Central Daylight Time (CDT) Clock

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Central Daylight Time (CDT) is the summer daylight saving schedule for central North America, anchored to UTC-5 (5 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time).