Denver
Chicago
Convert MST to CST
Mountain Standard Time to Central Standard Time — Chicago is 1 hour ahead of Denver
Quick Facts
Time Difference
+1 hours
MST Full Name
Mountain Standard Time
CST Full Name
Central Standard Time
MST to CST Conversion Table
Related Conversions
About MST and CST Time Zones
MST (Mountain Standard Time) is UTC-7 and covers cities like Denver, Phoenix, Salt Lake City. CST (Central Standard Time) is UTC-6 and covers cities like Chicago, Dallas, Houston.
When it's 12:00 PM (noon) in Denver (MST), it's 1:00 PM in Chicago (CST). The time difference between MST and CST is 1 hour — Chicago is ahead of Denver.
With only a 1-hour difference, Denver and Chicago share nearly a full business day overlap, making scheduling straightforward.
Daylight Saving Time
MST observes Daylight Saving Time and becomes MDT (Mountain Daylight Time) during summer months, shifting clocks forward by 1 hour to UTC-6.
CST observes Daylight Saving Time and becomes CDT (Central Daylight Time) during summer months, shifting clocks forward by 1 hour to UTC-5.
During DST transitions, the time difference between MST and CST may shift by ±1 hour. Always verify the current offset above for the most accurate conversion.
Use our world clock tool to compare Denver and Chicago with a visual timeline, or browse more timezone conversions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between MST and CST?
Chicago (CST) is 1 hour ahead of Denver (MST). The offset is +1 hours.
Is CST ahead or behind MST?
CST is 1 hour ahead of MST. MST is UTC-6 and CST is UTC-5.
When it's 12:00 PM in Denver, what time is it in Chicago?
When it's 12:00 PM (noon) in Denver (MST), it's 1:00 PM in Chicago (CST).
When it's 5:00 PM in Denver, what time is it in Chicago?
When it's 5:00 PM in Denver (MST), it's 6:00 PM in Chicago (CST).
Does MST change for Daylight Saving Time?
Yes. MST (Mountain Standard Time, UTC-7) becomes MDT (Mountain Daylight Time, UTC-6) in summer, shifting clocks forward 1 hour.
Does CST change for Daylight Saving Time?
Yes. CST (Central Standard Time, UTC-6) becomes CDT (Central Daylight Time, UTC-5) in summer, shifting clocks forward 1 hour.