Quick facts
- Chicago is 6:00 behind GMT right now
- Chicago's time zone is Central Time
What Time Is It In Chicago?
What is the current time in Chicago, Illinois
The current time in Chicago, Illinois is
2:42 PM
The date is November 21, 2024
What Time Zone is Chicago, Illinois In?
Chicago is in Central Time time zone, also sometimes abbreviated to CT. There are many cities and states in this time zone. This time zone consists of two "sub" time zones: CST and CDT. It is one or the other, depending on the time of year. In CT, clocks are typically moved forward and backwards anually (once forward and once backward every year).
| Timezone | Pacific | Mountain | Central | Eastern |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMT Offset | -8:00 | -7:00 | -6:00 | -5:00 |
| 12-hour time | 3:42 PM | 2:42 PM | 1:42 PM | 12:42 PM |
| 24-hour time | 15:42 | 14:42 | 13:42 | 12:42 |
| Military time | 1542 | 1442 | 1342 | 1242 |
Seasons in Chicago
Spring
- Average temperature: 50-70°F
- Climate: Mild and rainy
- Unique traditions and events: Chicago Beer Festival, Chicago Riverwalk Artisan Market
- Average daylight: 12-14 hours
Summer
- Average temperature: 70-85°F
- Climate: Warm and humid
- Unique traditions and events: Taste of Chicago, Lollapalooza Music Festival
- Average daylight: 14-15 hours
Fall
- Average temperature: 50-70°F
- Climate: Cool and crisp
- Unique traditions and events: Chicago Marathon, Chicago International Film Festival
- Average daylight: 10-12 hours
Winter
- Average temperature: 20-35°F
- Climate: Cold and snowy
- Unique traditions and events: Christkindlmarket, Chicago Polar Plunge
- Average daylight: 8-9 hours
Chicago, located in the state of Illinois, is situated in the Central Time Zone is known for deep dish pizza, Chicgo dogs (it's like a garden on top of a hot dog), and your Chicago Cubs. It is 6 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-6). The nearest timezone border is approximately 45 miles west of the city, which is the border between Central and Eastern Time Zones. The respective travel time to the nearest states, Indiana and Wisconsin, is approximately 1 hour and 2.5 hours, respectively. Traffic outside of Chicago can vary depending on the work week with neighboring cities including Evanston, Skokie, Oak Park, and Cicero. If someone were to drive from Chicago across America, it would take approximately 32 hours! Learn more about traveling to Chicago.
| Destination | Distance (miles) | Time to Drive (hours) | Timezone Change (hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yosemite National Park | 2,020 | 40.4 | -2 |
| White House in Washington D.C. | 703 | 14.1 | -1 |
| Denali National Park | 3,308 | 66.2 | -4 |
| Las Vegas Strip | 1,746 | 34.9 | -2 |
| Citizens Bank Park | 765 | 15.3 | -1 |
| Niagara Falls | 532 | 10.6 | -1 |
| Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco | 2,020 | 40.4 | -2 |
| Yellowstone | 1,238 | 24.8 | -1 |
| Manhattan | 790 | 15.8 | -1 |
| Grand Canyon | 1,635 | 32.7 | -2 |
Other times in the United States
The United States has four main time zones and six time zones including Alaska and Hawaii. Time can span between six hours and range from -5 UTC hours to -10 UTC, making time in Chicago change by a 6 hour time frame in the United States. Here are the most popular current times across the USA.
| City | State | Timezone | 12-hour time | 24 hour time | Military time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York City | New York | Eastern Time | 6:24 PM | 18:24 | 1824 |
| Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | Eastern Time | 6:24 PM | 18:24 | 1824 |
| Boston | Massachusetts | Eastern Time | 6:24 PM | 18:24 | 1824 |
| Chicago | Illinois | Central Time | 5:24 PM | 17:24 | 1724 |
| Phoenix | Arizona | Mountain Time | 3:24 PM | 15:24 | 1524 |
| Los Angeles | California | Pacific Time | 3:24 PM | 15:24 | 1524 |