Time zone
Central Time Area Codes
Central Time runs through the nation's midsection, from the Gulf Coast up through the Great Plains and the western Great Lakes. 109 area codes across 18 states and territories fall in this zone.
What the Central Time zone covers
The Central Time zone includes Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin. Central Time runs through the nation's midsection, from the Gulf Coast up through the Great Plains and the western Great Lakes.
UTC offset and daylight saving
This zone runs at UTC−6 in winter (CST) and UTC−5 in summer (CDT). It observes daylight saving time. Central is one hour behind Eastern and two hours ahead of Pacific — a useful middle ground for nationwide calls.
Best time to call this zone
Standard business hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) in this zone are when you're most likely to reach an office or store. Central is one hour behind Eastern and two hours ahead of Pacific — a useful middle ground for nationwide calls. If you only have a phone number, our phone number finder tells you which zone it belongs to.
Full list
Every Central Time area code
Other zones: Eastern Time · Mountain Time · Pacific Time · Alaska Time · Hawaii–Aleutian Time · Atlantic Time.
Quick answers
Central Time FAQ
What is the UTC offset for Central Time?
Central Time is UTC−6 in winter (CST) and UTC−5 in summer (CDT).
Does Central Time use daylight saving time?
Yes, clocks move forward an hour in spring and back in fall.
How many area codes are in Central Time?
109 US area codes fall in the Central Time zone, across 18 states and territories.