Intro
Discover the time difference between CST and PST. Learn how to convert Central Standard Time to Pacific Standard Time and vice versa. Understand the 2-hour time difference and how it affects your daily schedule, travel plans, and business operations across different time zones in the United States.
The world is a vast and complex place, and one of the things that can be confusing is time zones. With so many different zones and abbreviations, it can be hard to keep track of what time it is in different parts of the world. Two time zones that are often confused with each other are CST and PST. In this article, we will explore the difference between these two time zones and help you understand what time it is in each zone.

CST stands for Central Standard Time, which is the time zone used in the central part of North America, including the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This time zone is also known as UTC-6, which means it is six hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). During daylight saving time, CST becomes CDT, or Central Daylight Time.
On the other hand, PST stands for Pacific Standard Time, which is the time zone used on the west coast of North America, including the United States and Canada. This time zone is also known as UTC-8, which means it is eight hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). During daylight saving time, PST becomes PDT, or Pacific Daylight Time.
Time Difference between CST and PST
So, what is the time difference between CST and PST? The answer is two hours. CST is two hours ahead of PST. This means that when it is 10:00 AM CST, it is 8:00 AM PST.

Here is a table that summarizes the time difference between CST and PST:
Time | CST | PST |
---|---|---|
8:00 AM | 8:00 AM | 6:00 AM |
12:00 PM | 12:00 PM | 10:00 AM |
4:00 PM | 4:00 PM | 2:00 PM |
8:00 PM | 8:00 PM | 6:00 PM |
How to Convert CST to PST
Converting CST to PST is easy. Simply subtract two hours from the CST time. For example, if it is 10:00 AM CST, subtract two hours to get 8:00 AM PST.
Here are some examples of converting CST to PST:
CST Time | PST Time |
---|---|
8:00 AM | 6:00 AM |
12:00 PM | 10:00 AM |
4:00 PM | 2:00 PM |
8:00 PM | 6:00 PM |
Converting PST to CST
Converting PST to CST is also easy. Simply add two hours to the PST time. For example, if it is 8:00 AM PST, add two hours to get 10:00 AM CST.
Here are some examples of converting PST to CST:
PST Time | CST Time |
---|---|
6:00 AM | 8:00 AM |
10:00 AM | 12:00 PM |
2:00 PM | 4:00 PM |
6:00 PM | 8:00 PM |
Daylight Saving Time
Both CST and PST observe daylight saving time (DST). During DST, the clocks are set forward by one hour in the spring and set back by one hour in the fall.
In the United States, DST typically begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November. During this time, CST becomes CDT, and PST becomes PDT.

Here is a table that summarizes the time difference between CST and PST during DST:
Time | CDT | PDT |
---|---|---|
8:00 AM | 8:00 AM | 6:00 AM |
12:00 PM | 12:00 PM | 10:00 AM |
4:00 PM | 4:00 PM | 2:00 PM |
8:00 PM | 8:00 PM | 6:00 PM |
Conclusion
In conclusion, the time difference between CST and PST is two hours. CST is two hours ahead of PST. Converting between these two time zones is easy, and you can use the tables provided in this article to help you. Remember to also take into account daylight saving time, which can affect the time difference between these two zones.

We hope this article has been helpful in explaining the time difference between CST and PST. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
What is the time difference between CST and PST?
+The time difference between CST and PST is two hours. CST is two hours ahead of PST.
How do I convert CST to PST?
+To convert CST to PST, simply subtract two hours from the CST time. For example, if it is 10:00 AM CST, subtract two hours to get 8:00 AM PST.
Do CST and PST observe daylight saving time?
+Yes, both CST and PST observe daylight saving time (DST). During DST, the clocks are set forward by one hour in the spring and set back by one hour in the fall.