Chicago uses the America/Chicago time zone, abbreviated CT (CST/CDT), which is UTC-6 (UTC-5 in summer). It observes daylight saving time: clocks move forward one hour from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November. Chicago is the largest city in the United States on Central Time. Use this page to check the exact current local time in Chicago, with the date, UTC offset and time zone, updated in real time.

Official time zone: America/Chicago (USA)

Estimated population: 2,721,308 people.

Local fact: Chicago is the largest city in the United States on Central Time.

Offset from UTC—

Daylight saving time—

Compared to New York—

Frequently Asked Questions About the Time in Chicago

What time is it in Chicago right now?

The exact time in Chicago, USA, appears on the main clock at the top of this page and updates every second using the America/Chicago time zone, with no need to reload.

What time zone does Chicago use?

Chicago (USA) uses the America/Chicago time zone from the IANA database, which corresponds to UTC-6 (UTC-5 in summer). This is the reference that devices and servers use to calculate local time.

What is the time difference between Chicago and New York?

The difference is calculated by comparing the America/Chicago zone with New York (Eastern Time), so it updates automatically if either zone changes its clocks. The +HR and -HR tags on the cards show how many hours each place is ahead of or behind Chicago.

Does Chicago observe daylight saving time?

Observes daylight saving time: clocks move forward one hour from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November. This page calculates the time with the America/Chicago zone, so it always shows the current local time in Chicago, including any seasonal clock change.

How do I compare the time in Chicago with other cities?

In the Time Across the U.S. and World Times sections you can see the time in other places and how many hours they are ahead (+) or behind (-) Chicago. If the calendar day is different, the date is shown, for example Sun Oct 18. Every card links to that place’s page.

Can I see the time in Chicago in 12-hour or 24-hour format?

Yes. Use the 12-hour (AM/PM) or 24-hour selector below the main clock; the change applies to every card and your preference is saved in your browser.