CST to MST converter

Category: Time Zone Converters

- July 01, 2025

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Central Standard Time (CST)

UTC-6 • Chicago, Dallas, Houston

Conversion Settings

Configure your timezone conversion preferences

Auto Convert

Daylight Saving Aware

Show UTC Offset

Mountain Standard Time (MST)

UTC-7 • Denver, Phoenix, Albuquerque

--:--:--

Select a time to convert

Time Difference: --

UTC Offset (CST): -06:00

UTC Offset (MST): -07:00

DST Status: --

CST Time: --

MST Time: --

Time Format:

Current CST: --:--:--

Current MST: --:--:--

🌎 CST is UTC-6 (CDT UTC-5 during DST). MST is UTC-7 (MDT UTC-6 during DST). Arizona stays on MST year-round.

CST to MST Conversion Guide

What is CST to MST Conversion?

CST to MST conversion helps you translate time between Central Standard Time and Mountain Standard Time zones. CST is UTC-6 and becomes CDT (UTC-5) during daylight saving time. MST is UTC-7 and becomes MDT (UTC-6) during daylight saving time from March to November. Arizona remains on MST year-round.

Time Zone Information

Central Standard Time (CST): Used in central US including Chicago, Dallas, Houston, and New Orleans. UTC-6 in winter, becomes CDT (UTC-5) during daylight saving.

Mountain Standard Time (MST): Used in mountain US including Denver, Phoenix, Albuquerque, and Salt Lake City. UTC-7 in winter, becomes MDT (UTC-6) during daylight saving.

Time Difference: CST is typically 1 hour ahead of MST year-round.

Daylight Saving Time Impact

Standard Time Period: November to March - CST is 1 hour ahead of MST

Daylight Time Period: March to November - CDT is 1 hour ahead of MDT

Arizona Exception: Arizona stays on MST year-round, creating varying differences with other MST locations

Common Conversion Examples

Business Hours (Standard Time)

CST 9:00 AM → MST 8:00 AM

CST 6:00 PM → MST 5:00 PM

1 hour time difference during standard time

Business Hours (Daylight Time)

CDT 9:00 AM → MDT 8:00 AM

CDT 6:00 PM → MDT 5:00 PM

1 hour time difference during daylight time

Meeting Planning

Best CST Time: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Converts to MST: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Optimal for both business hours

Travel Planning

CST Noon: MST 11:00 AM

CST Midnight: MST 11:00 PM

Perfect for flight scheduling

Conversion Tips & Best Practices

• Always check if locations are observing standard or daylight time when scheduling

• CST is always 1 hour ahead of MST throughout the year

• Business meetings work best when CST is 10 AM - 5 PM for MST 9 AM - 4 PM hours

• Remember Arizona stays on MST year-round and doesn't observe daylight saving time

• Use 24-hour format to avoid AM/PM confusion when scheduling across time zones

• DST transitions occur on the second Sunday in March at 2:00 AM

Convert Between Central and Mountain Time

Trying to figure out what 3 PM in Chicago means in Denver? Or planning a conference call between Dallas and Phoenix? This CST to MST converter helps keep it all clear. Below is a breakdown of which countries follow these time zones, so you can spot any surprises before plugging in your times.

CST/CDT (UTC-6 / UTC-5)	MST/MDT (UTC-7 / UTC-6)
🇺🇸 United States (Central States: Illinois, Texas, Louisiana, etc.) 🇨🇦 Canada (Manitoba, parts of Ontario and Saskatchewan) 🇲🇽 Mexico (Central regions, including Mexico City) 🇳🇮 Nicaragua 🇭🇳 Honduras 🇸🇻 El Salvador 🇨🇷 Costa Rica 🇬🇹 Guatemala	🇺🇸 United States (Mountain States: Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, etc.) 🇨🇦 Canada (Alberta) 🇲🇽 Mexico (Chihuahua and surrounding regions) 🇺🇸 United States (Arizona - stays on MST all year)

Why This Converter Helps You Stay on Schedule

CST and MST are only one hour apart, but that single hour can trip you up if you're working with teams or appointments across regions. Things get especially tricky with daylight saving time, since Arizona doesn’t observe it and everyone else shifts around it. This converter simplifies all of that in a single click.

Here’s How to Use It

Pick your start time

Choose a date and time in either Central or Mountain time, depending on which location you're starting from. Use the dropdown to pick the correct base time zone.

Customize your settings

You can toggle daylight saving awareness, whether to show UTC offsets, and even turn on auto-convert so it updates as soon as you change the time.

Run the conversion

Press “Convert Time” and you'll see the equivalent hour on the other side, down to the second. Need to flip directions? Hit “Swap” and run it again.

Use shortcuts if you like

The interface includes buttons for swapping, setting to current time, and clearing everything. You can also hit the spacebar to convert or press “S” to switch zones without touching your mouse.

Features That Work Quietly in the Background

Handles daylight time without confusion

Daylight saving time applies to most CST and MST locations, but not all. The tool checks if the date falls between March and November and applies the correct rules, even accounting for Arizona staying constant year-round.

Live clocks keep you grounded

Right below the converter, you'll see current times in both CST and MST. These update live and reflect any daylight saving shifts happening in real time.

Clean display for comparing times

The results show both the converted time and the original time in a full, readable format, including the day of the week and whether it’s CST, CDT, MST or MDT.

One Situation Where It Really Comes in Handy

You’re in Houston (CST) setting up a customer support call with someone in Denver (MST). Your team is available at 4:00 PM local time, but you’re not sure what that means for Denver. Plug it into the tool, and you’ll quickly see it’s 3:00 PM there—an easy match for both sides.

Keep Time in Sync From Texas to the Rockies

Whether you're handling a project across multiple US states or coordinating flights from Austin to Albuquerque, having a reliable converter helps avoid misunderstandings and missed calls. This one gives you a clear view in seconds, with all the settings to fit your schedule.