Time in Chicago, Illinois - Central Time (CT)
The live clock above shows the current local time in Chicago, Illinois. Chicago is in the Central Time Zone (CT), which is UTC-6 during Standard Time and UTC-5 during Daylight Saving Time (DST). Chicago observes DST from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November. The city is home to major financial exchanges such as the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) and the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), which operate from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Central Time (regular trading hours). Compared to other major cities, Chicago is 1 hour behind Time in New York (Eastern Time), 2 hours ahead of Time in Los Angeles (Pacific Time), and 6 hours behind London (GMT/BST). For a world clock view, visit Time.now.
Central Time Zone (CT) Details
Chicago is the largest city in the Central Time Zone, which covers a large portion of the United States and Canada. Central Standard Time (CST) is UTC-6, and Central Daylight Time (CDT) is UTC-5. The zone includes states such as Illinois, Texas, most of Kansas, and parts of Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. The Central Time (CT) page provides a full list of locations.
| Season | Time Zone Name | UTC Offset | Example Time (Chicago) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter (Standard Time) | Central Standard Time (CST) | UTC-6 | 12:00 PM CST = 18:00 UTC |
| Summer (Daylight Saving Time) | Central Daylight Time (CDT) | UTC-5 | 12:00 PM CDT = 17:00 UTC |
DST in Chicago: Start and End Dates
Daylight Saving Time begins on the second Sunday of March at 2:00 a.m. CT, when clocks spring forward to 3:00 a.m. CDT. It ends on the first Sunday of November at 2:00 a.m. CDT, when clocks fall back to 1:00 a.m. CST. In 2026, DST starts on March 8 and ends on November 1. This schedule aligns with the U.S. federal DST period. Chicago's latitude (about 42 degrees north) results in significant variation in daylight hours, with sunset as late as 8:30 p.m. CDT in June and as early as 4:20 p.m. CST in December.
Time Difference Between Chicago and Other US Cities
Chicago is in the Central Time Zone, which is one hour behind Eastern Time (ET) and one hour ahead of Mountain Time (MT). For example, when it is 12:00 PM in Chicago, it is 1:00 PM in New York City (ET), 11:00 AM in Denver (MT), and 10:00 AM in Los Angeles (PT). Use the links below for exact current times:
For cities in the same zone as Chicago, such as Dallas, Houston, and Minneapolis, the time is identical. The Central Time (CT) page lists all major cities in the zone.
Market Hours in Chicago (CME and CBOE)
The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) and Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) are two of the world's largest financial derivatives and options exchanges. Regular trading hours for CME Group products (including futures and options) are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Central Time. Electronic trading (Globex) often opens earlier or runs nearly 24 hours. CBOE options trading hours are typically 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. CT for standard equity options. These hours are important for traders worldwide who need to convert to their local time. For example, London is 6 hours ahead of Chicago during Standard Time, so the open at 8:30 a.m. CT corresponds to 2:30 p.m. London time (GMT).
Frequently Asked Questions
What time zone is Chicago in?
Chicago is in the Central Time Zone (CT). It uses Central Standard Time (CST, UTC-6) in winter and Central Daylight Time (CDT, UTC-5) in summer.
Does Chicago observe Daylight Saving Time?
Yes, Chicago observes DST from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November, following U.S. federal law.
What is the time difference between Chicago and New York?
Chicago is 1 hour behind New York City. When it is 12:00 PM in Chicago, it is 1:00 PM in New York.
What is the time difference between Chicago and Los Angeles?
Chicago is 2 hours ahead of Los Angeles. When it is 12:00 PM in Chicago, it is 10:00 AM in Los Angeles.
What is the time difference between Chicago and London?
Chicago is 6 hours behind London during Standard Time (CST) and 5 hours behind during Daylight Saving Time (CDT). For example, 12:00 PM CST = 6:00 PM GMT; 12:00 PM CDT = 5:00 PM BST.
What are the trading hours for CME and CBOE in Chicago time?
Regular trading hours for CME and CBOE are 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday. Electronic trading may have extended hours.