Time difference between Chicago and London
Chicago is 6 hours behind London for most of the year, but the gap changes for a few weeks.
Live time in Chicago and London
Why is the time different?
Chicago and London are in different time zones. The Earth turns, so the Sun reaches one place before the other. London sees each new day first.In January Chicago is on CST and London is on GMT. In July they are on CDT and GMT+1.
- In 2026, the clocks in Chicago go forward on March 8 and back on November 1.
- In 2026, the clocks in London go forward on March 29 and back on October 25.
- From March 8 to March 28 (21 days) Chicago is 5 hours behind London.
- From October 25 to October 31 (7 days) Chicago is 5 hours behind London.
These dates are for 2026. The pattern repeats every year, but the exact days move.
A school day in Chicago and London
What are children doing in the other city? (We use 8:30 am to 3 pm for school, and January clocks.)
- When school starts in Chicago (8:30 am), it is 2:30 pm in London, and children there are at school.
- When school ends in Chicago (3 pm), it is 9 pm in London, and children there are asleep.
- When children go to bed in Chicago (8 pm), it is 2 am the next day in London, and children there are fast asleep.
- When school finishes in London (3 pm), it is 9 am in Chicago, and children there are at school.
The two school days overlap for about 0.5 hours. For the rest of the day, one class is in lessons while the other is not.
Fun fact: children in Chicago are fast asleep when school starts in London!
The same moment, hour by hour
Each box is one hour on Chicago's clock. The top row shows Chicago. The bottom row shows what is happening in London at that very same time.
Best time to call
- Most of the year: both cities are at work from 9 am to 11 am in Chicago (3 pm to 5 pm in London).
Today, hour by hour (green = working hours for both, amber = fine for a call):
| Chicago | London | Call? |
|---|
Chicago time to London time
| Chicago | London |
|---|---|
| 6 am | 12 pm |
| 9 am | 3 pm |
| 12 pm | 6 pm |
| 3 pm | 9 pm |
| 6 pm | 12 am (next day) |
| 9 pm | 3 am (next day) |
Quick quiz: Chicago and London
1 / 2More time comparisons
Questions about Chicago and London time
What is the time difference between Chicago and London?
In January, Chicago is 6 hours behind London. The gap also changes for a few weeks each year because the two places change their clocks on different dates.
Is Chicago ahead of or behind London?
Chicago is behind London in January. Ahead means its clocks show a later time.
What time is it in London when it is 12 noon in Chicago?
In January it is 6 pm in London. In July it is 6 pm.
Are children at school at the same time in Chicago and London?
The two school days overlap for about 0.5 hours. For the rest of the day, one class is in lessons while the other is not. When school ends in Chicago (3 pm), it is 9 pm in London, and children there are asleep. Fun fact: children in Chicago are fast asleep when school starts in London!
What is the best time to call between Chicago and London?
Most of the year: both cities are at work from 9 am to 11 am in Chicago (3 pm to 5 pm in London).
Does the time difference between Chicago and London change?
Yes. From March 8 to March 28 (21 days) Chicago is 5 hours behind London. From October 25 to October 31 (7 days) Chicago is 5 hours behind London.