Time difference between Los Angeles and Chicago
Los Angeles is 2 hours behind Chicago all year round.
Live time in Los Angeles and Chicago
Why is the time different?
Los Angeles and Chicago are in different time zones. The Earth turns, so the Sun reaches one place before the other. Chicago sees each new day first.In January Los Angeles is on PST and Chicago is on CST. In July they are on PDT and CDT.
- In 2026, the clocks in Los Angeles go forward on March 8 and back on November 1.
- In 2026, the clocks in Chicago go forward on March 8 and back on November 1.
- The gap between them never changes during the year.
A school day in Los Angeles and Chicago
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 Los Angeles (8:30 am), it is 10:30 am in Chicago, and children there are at school.
- When school ends in Los Angeles (3 pm), it is 5 pm in Chicago, and children there are heading home or doing after-school activities.
- When children go to bed in Los Angeles (8 pm), it is 10 pm in Chicago, and children there are asleep.
- When school finishes in Chicago (3 pm), it is 1 pm in Los Angeles, and children there are at school.
The two school days overlap for about 4.5 hours. For the rest of the day, one class is in lessons while the other is not.
The same moment, hour by hour
Each box is one hour on Los Angeles's clock. The top row shows Los Angeles. The bottom row shows what is happening in Chicago at that very same time.
Best time to call
- All year: both cities are at work from 9 am to 3 pm in Los Angeles (11 am to 5 pm in Chicago).
Today, hour by hour (green = working hours for both, amber = fine for a call):
| Los Angeles | Chicago | Call? |
|---|
Los Angeles time to Chicago time
| Los Angeles | Chicago |
|---|---|
| 6 am | 8 am |
| 9 am | 11 am |
| 12 pm | 2 pm |
| 3 pm | 5 pm |
| 6 pm | 8 pm |
| 9 pm | 11 pm |
Quick quiz: Los Angeles and Chicago
1 / 2More time comparisons
Questions about Los Angeles and Chicago time
What is the time difference between Los Angeles and Chicago?
Los Angeles is 2 hours behind Chicago all year round.
Is Los Angeles ahead of or behind Chicago?
Los Angeles is behind Chicago in January. Ahead means its clocks show a later time.
What time is it in Chicago when it is 12 noon in Los Angeles?
In January it is 2 pm in Chicago. In July it is 2 pm.
Are children at school at the same time in Los Angeles and Chicago?
The two school days overlap for about 4.5 hours. For the rest of the day, one class is in lessons while the other is not. When school ends in Los Angeles (3 pm), it is 5 pm in Chicago, and children there are heading home or doing after-school activities.
What is the best time to call between Los Angeles and Chicago?
All year: both cities are at work from 9 am to 3 pm in Los Angeles (11 am to 5 pm in Chicago).
Does the time difference between Los Angeles and Chicago change?
No. Both places move their clocks together, or neither does, so the gap stays the same.