Time difference between New York and Chicago
New York is 1 hour ahead of Chicago all year round.
Live time in New York and Chicago
Why is the time different?
New York and Chicago are in different time zones. The Earth turns, so the Sun reaches one place before the other. New York sees each new day first.In January New York is on EST and Chicago is on CST. In July they are on EDT and CDT.
- In 2026, the clocks in New York 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 New York 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 New York (8:30 am), it is 7:30 am in Chicago, and children there are having breakfast and getting ready for school.
- When school ends in New York (3 pm), it is 2 pm in Chicago, and children there are at school.
- When children go to bed in New York (8 pm), it is 7 pm in Chicago, and children there are having dinner with their family.
- When school finishes in Chicago (3 pm), it is 4 pm in New York, and children there are heading home or doing after-school activities.
The two school days overlap for about 5.5 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 New York's clock. The top row shows New York. 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 10 am to 5 pm in New York (9 am to 4 pm in Chicago).
Today, hour by hour (green = working hours for both, amber = fine for a call):
| New York | Chicago | Call? |
|---|
New York time to Chicago time
| New York | Chicago |
|---|---|
| 6 am | 5 am |
| 9 am | 8 am |
| 12 pm | 11 am |
| 3 pm | 2 pm |
| 6 pm | 5 pm |
| 9 pm | 8 pm |
Quick quiz: New York and Chicago
1 / 2More time comparisons
Questions about New York and Chicago time
What is the time difference between New York and Chicago?
New York is 1 hour ahead of Chicago all year round.
Is New York ahead of or behind Chicago?
New York is ahead of Chicago in January. Ahead means its clocks show a later time.
What time is it in Chicago when it is 12 noon in New York?
In January it is 11 am in Chicago. In July it is 11 am.
Are children at school at the same time in New York and Chicago?
The two school days overlap for about 5.5 hours. For the rest of the day, one class is in lessons while the other is not. When school ends in New York (3 pm), it is 2 pm in Chicago, and children there are at school.
What is the best time to call between New York and Chicago?
All year: both cities are at work from 10 am to 5 pm in New York (9 am to 4 pm in Chicago).
Does the time difference between New York and Chicago change?
No. Both places move their clocks together, or neither does, so the gap stays the same.