Central Time vs. Pacific Time — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Published on December 31, 2023
Central Time (CT) is two hours ahead of Pacific Time (PT). Both are time zones used in the U.S. and parts of North America.
Difference Between Central Time and Pacific Time
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Central Time (CT) is a time zone that covers parts of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. It is one hour behind Eastern Time and one hour ahead of Mountain Time. Geographically, the Central Time zone spans areas in the center of North America. On the other hand, Pacific Time (PT) is primarily associated with the U.S. West Coast and includes states like California and Washington. Pacific Time is two hours behind Central Time.
Regions observing Central Time experience a shift in their clocks, just like all areas observing Daylight Saving Time. When Daylight Saving Time starts, Central Time shifts to Central Daylight Time (CDT). Similarly, regions in Pacific Time shift to Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) during Daylight Saving Time. Thus, the difference remains two hours between Central and Pacific zones, regardless of the seasonal time adjustments.
For businesses operating across multiple time zones, understanding the difference between Central Time and Pacific Time is crucial. A business meeting set at 10 AM in Central Time translates to 8 AM in Pacific Time. This time difference can impact scheduling, broadcasting, and other time-sensitive operations.
Travelers moving between the Central Time zone and the Pacific Time zone need to adjust their watches by two hours. If one is traveling westward, they'd set their watch back by two hours. Conversely, when moving eastward from a Pacific Time region to a Central Time region, one would set their watch forward by two hours.
Comparison Chart
Relation to GMT/UTC
UTC-6 (Standard) / UTC-5 (Daylight Saving Time)
UTC-8 (Standard) / UTC-7 (Daylight Saving Time)
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U.S. States Included
Texas, Illinois, Wisconsin, etc.
California, Washington, Oregon, etc.
Daylight Saving Time Shift
Central Standard Time to Central Daylight Time
Pacific Standard Time to Pacific Daylight Time
Hours difference from ET
1 hour behind
3 hours behind
Position in U.S.
Central
Western
Compare with Definitions
Central Time
UTC-6 hours during standard time and UTC-5 during daylight saving.
The servers will be down for maintenance at 3 AM Central Time.
Pacific Time
Three hours behind Eastern Time in the U.S.
The flight from Los Angeles departs at 7 AM Pacific Time.
Central Time
Two hours ahead of Pacific Time in the U.S.
Make sure to call them at 9 AM Central Time for the conference.
Pacific Time
UTC-8 hours during standard time and UTC-7 during daylight saving.
The update will be live at midnight Pacific Time.
Central Time
The time observed in the central region of the U.S. and parts of Canada and Mexico.
The store in Dallas opens at 10 AM Central Time.
Pacific Time
The time zone of the U.S. West Coast.
The webinar starts at 5 PM Pacific Time.
Central Time
One of the four primary time zones in the contiguous U.S.
Chicago is located in the Central Time zone.
Pacific Time
The time standard for the Pacific coast of the U.S.
The concert in Seattle begins at 6 PM Pacific Time.
Central Time
The time zone covering the central part of North America.
The TV show airs at 8 PM Central Time.
Pacific Time
One of the four main time zones in the contiguous U.S.
San Francisco operates on Pacific Time.
Common Curiosities
Which U.S. states are mainly in the Pacific Time zone?
States like California, Washington, and Oregon are in the Pacific Time zone.
How many hours is Central Time ahead of Pacific Time?
Central Time is two hours ahead of Pacific Time.
Do both Central Time and Pacific Time observe Daylight Saving Time?
Yes, regions in both time zones observe Daylight Saving Time.
If it's 3 PM Central Time, what time is it in Pacific Time?
It's 1 PM in Pacific Time.
Does all of California observe Pacific Time?
Yes, the entire state of California observes Pacific Time.
When is 12 PM in Pacific Time, what time is it in Central Time?
It's 2 PM in Central Time when it's 12 PM in Pacific Time.
Which major cities fall under Central Time?
Major cities like Chicago, Dallas, and Houston are in Central Time.
Which is further west, Central Time or Pacific Time?
Pacific Time covers regions further west compared to Central Time.
Are there parts of Mexico in Central Time?
Yes, parts of Mexico, including Mexico City, observe Central Time.
When does Daylight Saving Time start for Central and Pacific Time zones?
Daylight Saving Time usually starts on the second Sunday of March for both time zones.
What's the difference in UTC offset for Central and Pacific Time during standard time?
Central Time has a UTC offset of -6 hours, while Pacific Time has an offset of -8 hours during standard time.
Why are there different time zones?
Time zones exist due to the Earth's rotation, ensuring that regions have daytime activities during daylight hours.
If a TV show airs at 9 PM Pacific Time, when can someone in Central Time watch it?
They can watch it at 11 PM Central Time.
How many main time zones are there in the contiguous U.S.?
There are four main time zones in the contiguous U.S.: Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific Time.
Do Pacific Time and Central Time have the same daylight duration?
No, daylight duration can vary based on the specific latitude of a location within the time zone.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
