Convert CET to EST time zone

In the graph below you see the time zone difference between Central European Time and Eastern Standard Time. Drag the bubble to adjust the time and to see the corresponding time in the other time zone.


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Tips for converting CET to EST

Central European Time is the time zone of most central European countries, and the Nordics, including cities like Paris, Berlin, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Madrid, Rome, Zurich and Warsaw. Eastern Standard Time is the time zone of the Canadian and US East Coast, with places like Montreal, Ottawa, New York, Washington D.C. And Miami.

When is the best time to schedule a meeting with CET and EST?

Usually it is preferable to schedule meetings in the afternoon for the person in CET and before lunch for the person in EST.

Other common time zone conversions

More CET conversions
CET to IST, CET to PST, CET to CST, CET to BST, CET to EDT

More EST conversions
EST to MST, EST to BST, EST to PDT, EST to JST, EST to CEST

About CET – Central European Time

CET is, as the name implies, the time zone for Central Europe. Important to note is that in summer Central European Time becomes CEST, which stands for Central European Summer Time. In practice, “Central” means “Western” as Central European Time includes everything from the Nordics to Spain. Note that Portugal and the UK are not on CET but instead observe GMT and that Eastern Europe (every country from Finland and South) observe Eastern European Time.

Countries using CET:

All countries in Western Europe, except Portugal and the UK, observe Central European Time. This includes Germany, Sweden, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Montenegro and Gibraltar to name a few.

Example of cities observing Central European Time:

The list is long but includes Berlin, Oslo, Madrid, Rome, Tirana, Amsterdam, Paris, Warsaw, Bern, Geneva and Copenhagen.

Daylight saving time and summer time:

Daylight Saving Time is applied in Central Europe/Western Europe. CET in that case becomes CEST – Central European Summer Time and is one hour different. CEST is observed between the last Sunday of March and the last Sunday of October.



About EST - Eastern Standard Time

This is the standard time of the Eastern US, Canada and parts of the Caribbean. It is in most places observed only in the winter months, from November to March. The origin of EST is the same as for most time zones – it was introduced when the railroad was built across the United States. It is important to note that there is also Eastern Standard Time in Australia, but this is usually called AEST and thus not to be confused with EST.

Common locations

Most of the Eastern seaboard of the US observe EST, as well as most locations in Eastern Canada although there are a few exceptions. Locations such as New York, Washington, Quebec and Ontario are all on Eastern Standard Time. Also some Caribbean locations such as Jamaica, Haiti and Panama are in this time zone.

Daylight Saving Time

It is important to note that with the exception of Panama, Jamaica and a couple of locations in Canada and the US most in this time zone do observe DST and thus switch to EDT in the summer. As always, it is better to look up the actual location than the timezone itself.