EST to CEST Time Converter
Central European Summer Time (CEST) is currently 7 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST). EST is UTC-5 and CEST is UTC+2. The table below converts every hour of the day between the two, and the call planner shows where working hours line up.
Best Time for a Call
Both sides are inside 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM office hours between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM in EST, which is 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM in CEST.
Comparing more than two places? The Overlap Zones tool shows working hours for several cities on one grid.
Hour by Hour: EST to CEST
Rows marked office hours fall between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM in both places. For a specific date, use the interactive converter.
Does the Difference Change During the Year?
EST and CEST are fixed offsets, so the difference between them never changes.
EST is UTC-5, used across eastern North America in winter. The same region switches to EDT (UTC-4) from March to November.
CEST is UTC+2, the summer counterpart of CET, used from late March to late October.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hours ahead is CEST compared to EST?
CEST is currently 7 hours ahead of EST. EST and CEST are fixed offsets, so the difference between them never changes.
What time is 9:00 AM in EST in CEST?
9:00 AM in EST is 4:00 PM in CEST.
What is the best time for a call between EST and CEST?
Both sides are inside 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM office hours between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM in EST, which is 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM in CEST.