PST to CST Conversion: Convert Pacific to Central Time
Pacific Standard Time (PST) is 2 hours behind Central Standard Time (CST). When it's noon in Los Angeles, it's 2:00 PM in Chicago. This guide provides a conversion table, explains the stable time difference, and offers scheduling advice for calls between the West Coast and Midwest. Use the live converter above to see both times right now, or visit Time.now for a full world clock.
The Los Angeles to Chicago Time Difference
The time difference between Los Angeles (Pacific Time) and Chicago (Central Time) is exactly 2 hours, with Chicago ahead. This gap is stable year-round because both regions observe Daylight Saving Time (DST) on the same schedule: clocks spring forward on the second Sunday of March and fall back on the first Sunday of November. During DST, Pacific Daylight Time (PDT, UTC-7) and Central Daylight Time (CDT, UTC-5) maintain the same 2-hour difference. In standard time, PST (UTC-8) and CST (UTC-6) also keep the 2-hour gap. Thus, the offset never varies, making scheduling straightforward.
Los Angeles to Chicago Conversion Table
| Pacific Time (PT) | Central Time (CT) |
|---|---|
| 6:00 AM | 8:00 AM |
| 9:00 AM | 11:00 AM |
| 12:00 PM | 2:00 PM |
| 2:00 PM | 4:00 PM |
| 4:00 PM | 6:00 PM |
| 6:00 PM | 8:00 PM |
| 9:00 PM | 11:00 PM |
| 11:59 PM | 1:59 AM (next day) |
Best Times to Schedule Calls
Business hours typically run 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM locally. The 2-hour difference means a comfortable overlap from 9:00 AM PT (11:00 AM CT) to 3:00 PM PT (5:00 PM CT). For a West Coast caller, the best window is 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM PT, which corresponds to 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT. For a Midwest caller calling West, aim for 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT (9:00 AM - 3:00 PM PT).
| Caller Location | Best Time to Call | Corresponding Time |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles (PT) | 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM PT | 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT |
| Chicago (CT) | 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM CT | 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM PT |
If you need to convert other US time zones, check out our EST to PST Converter or PST to EST Converter. For worldwide city times, visit TimeRight.Now or CurrentTime.now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pacific Time always 2 hours behind Central Time?
Yes, Pacific Time is always exactly 2 hours behind Central Time, regardless of daylight saving. Both zones change clocks on the same dates, so the difference remains constant year-round.
What are the UTC offsets for PST and CST?
Pacific Standard Time (PST) is UTC-8, and Central Standard Time (CST) is UTC-6. During daylight saving, Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) is UTC-7, and Central Daylight Time (CDT) is UTC-5.
How do I convert PST to CST quickly?
Add 2 hours to the Pacific time. For example, 10:00 AM PST becomes 12:00 PM CST. Use the conversion table above for common times.
What is the time difference between Los Angeles and Chicago?
Los Angeles (Pacific Time) is 2 hours behind Chicago (Central Time). When it's noon in Los Angeles, it's 2:00 PM in Chicago.
Does Arizona observe the same time as Pacific Time?
No, Arizona is mostly in Mountain Time (MT) and does not observe daylight saving, so its offset varies. For more, see Mountain Time (MT).
What about other US time zone conversions?
We have converters for many pairs: EST to CST Converter, Eastern Time (ET), and Central Time (CT). For Nevada, check time in Las Vegas.