When you hear “Central Time,” you’re likely wondering about the current time in a specific region of North America. Central Time is a commonly used time zone, but it’s important to understand that it actually encompasses two different time standards depending on the time of year: Central Standard Time (CST) and Central Daylight Time (CDT). So, let’s clarify what Central Time is and how to know the accurate time.
Central Standard Time (CST) Explained
Central Standard Time (CST) is the base time standard for the Central Time Zone in North America. It is observed during the fall and winter months. CST is defined as six hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) or Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). This is often written as UTC-6 or GMT-6.
Think of it this way: when it’s 12:00 PM (noon) GMT, it is 6:00 AM CST. Central Standard Time is based on the mean solar time of the 90th meridian west of the Greenwich Observatory, a historical reference point for timekeeping.
Central Daylight Time (CDT) Explained
During the spring and summer months, most areas in the Central Time Zone switch to Central Daylight Time (CDT). This is done as part of daylight saving time, to make better use of daylight hours. Central Daylight Time is five hours behind UTC/GMT (UTC-5 or GMT-5).
So, during CDT, when it’s 12:00 PM (noon) GMT, it is 7:00 AM CDT. CDT is effectively CST plus one hour. This shift forward by an hour is what we know as “daylight saving.”
Daylight Saving Time in Central Time Zone
Daylight saving time (DST) is the reason Central Time has two designations, CST and CDT. In the United States and Canada, the transition between CST and CDT follows a set schedule:
- Start of CDT: Daylight saving time begins on the second Sunday in March. At 2:00 AM CST, clocks are moved forward to 3:00 AM CDT.
- End of CDT: Daylight saving time ends on the first Sunday in November. At 2:00 AM CDT, clocks are moved backward to 1:00 AM CST.
It’s important to note that some areas within the Central Time Zone do not observe daylight saving time. In these locations, Central Standard Time (CST) is used year-round.
Central Time Zone in North America
The Central Time Zone covers a large swath of North America, including parts of:
- Canada: Manitoba, most of Saskatchewan, and parts of Ontario.
- United States: States like Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas (most of), Wisconsin, and many others in the central part of the country.
- Mexico: Parts of Mexico are also in the Central Time Zone.
To know definitively “what time is it in Central Time,” you often need to know the specific location, as some areas may not follow DST or might be on the edge of the time zone.
Below is a table showing North American Time Zones and their relationship to UTC/GMT, including both Standard Time and Daylight Saving Time offsets where applicable:
| Hours from UTC/GMT | Standard Time | Daylight Saving Time |
|---|---|---|
| -10 | Hawaii-Aleutian Time | |
| -9 | Alaska Time | Hawaii-Aleutian Time |
| -8 | Pacific Time | Alaska Time |
| -7 | Mountain Time | Pacific Time |
| -6 | Central Time | Mountain Time |
| -5 | Eastern Time | Central Time |
| -4 | Atlantic Time | Eastern Time |
| -3:30 | Newfoundland Time | |
| -3 | Atlantic Time | |
| -2:30 | Newfoundland Time |
Note: Some time zones may not observe Daylight Saving Time.
Understanding UTC and GMT
You’ll often see the terms UTC and GMT when dealing with time zones.
- Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) is historically based on the mean solar time at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London.
- Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) is the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time.
For most practical purposes, especially when discussing time zones at a general level, GMT and UTC can be considered equivalent. They serve as the base reference point from which all time zones are calculated.
In conclusion, when someone asks “What Time Is It Central Time,” the answer depends on the date. Between March and November, it’s Central Daylight Time (CDT), which is UTC-5. For the rest of the year, it’s Central Standard Time (CST), at UTC-6. Understanding this distinction will help you accurately determine the time in the Central Time Zone.
