Los Angeles
Chicago
Convert PST to CST
Pacific Standard Time to Central Standard Time — Chicago is 2 hours ahead of Los Angeles
Quick Facts
Time Difference
+2 hours
PST Full Name
Pacific Standard Time
CST Full Name
Central Standard Time
PST to CST Conversion Table
Related Conversions
About PST and CST Time Zones
PST (Pacific Standard Time) is UTC-8 and covers cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle. CST (Central Standard Time) is UTC-6 and covers cities like Chicago, Dallas, Houston.
When it's 12:00 PM (noon) in Los Angeles (PST), it's 2:00 PM in Chicago (CST). The time difference between PST and CST is 2 hours — Chicago is ahead of Los Angeles.
With only a 2-hour difference, Los Angeles and Chicago share nearly a full business day overlap, making scheduling straightforward.
Daylight Saving Time
PST observes Daylight Saving Time and becomes PDT (Pacific Daylight Time) during summer months, shifting clocks forward by 1 hour to UTC-7.
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 PST 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 Los Angeles and Chicago with a visual timeline, or browse more timezone conversions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between PST and CST?
Chicago (CST) is 2 hours ahead of Los Angeles (PST). The offset is +2 hours.
Is CST ahead or behind PST?
CST is 2 hours ahead of PST. PST is UTC-7 and CST is UTC-5.
When it's 12:00 PM in Los Angeles, what time is it in Chicago?
When it's 12:00 PM (noon) in Los Angeles (PST), it's 2:00 PM in Chicago (CST).
When it's 5:00 PM in Los Angeles, what time is it in Chicago?
When it's 5:00 PM in Los Angeles (PST), it's 7:00 PM in Chicago (CST).
Does PST change for Daylight Saving Time?
Yes. PST (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-8) becomes PDT (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-7) 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.