Wisconsin 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. The entire state of Wisconsin uses Central Time. Use this page to check the exact current local time in Wisconsin, with the date, UTC offset and time zone, updated in real time.

Official time zone: America/Chicago (USA)

Estimated population: 5,972,787 people.

Local fact: The entire state of Wisconsin uses Central Time.

Offset from UTC—

Daylight saving time—

Compared to New York—

Frequently Asked Questions About the Time in Wisconsin

What time is it in Wisconsin right now?

The exact time in Wisconsin, 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 Wisconsin use?

Wisconsin (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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin.

Does Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin, including any seasonal clock change.

How do I compare the time in Wisconsin 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 (-) Wisconsin. 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 Wisconsin 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.