Time difference between Chicago and San Francisco
San Francisco is 2 hours behind Chicago
Right now
Chicago
11:38
CDT ·
UTC-5
San Francisco
09:38
PDT ·
UTC-7
Best time for a call between Chicago and San Francisco
Hours highlighted in green work for everyone on the list.
- 11:00 Chicago 09:00 San Francisco
- 12:00 Chicago 10:00 San Francisco
- 13:00 Chicago 11:00 San Francisco
Hour by hour: Chicago to San Francisco
Working hours are shaded. The rows marked with a star are the ones we recommend for a call.
| Chicago (reference) | San Francisco | |
|---|---|---|
| 00:00 | 22:00 (previous day) | |
| 01:00 | 23:00 (previous day) | |
| 02:00 | 00:00 | |
| 03:00 | 01:00 | |
| 04:00 | 02:00 | |
| 05:00 | 03:00 | |
| 06:00 | 04:00 | |
| 07:00 | 05:00 | |
| 08:00 | 06:00 | |
| 09:00 | 07:00 | |
| 10:00 | 08:00 | |
| ★ | 11:00 | 09:00 |
| ★ | 12:00 | 10:00 |
| ★ | 13:00 | 11:00 |
| 14:00 | 12:00 | |
| 15:00 | 13:00 | |
| 16:00 | 14:00 | |
| 17:00 | 15:00 | |
| 18:00 | 16:00 | |
| 19:00 | 17:00 | |
| 20:00 | 18:00 | |
| 21:00 | 19:00 | |
| 22:00 | 20:00 | |
| 23:00 | 21:00 |
Table built for August 26, 2026. The live values above update in your browser.
Daylight saving time
Both cities change their clocks, but not always on the same date — the difference between them shifts for a few weeks each year.
Frequently asked questions
What is the time difference between Chicago and San Francisco?
San Francisco is 2 hours behind Chicago
What is the best time to call between Chicago and San Francisco?
The most convenient slot is 11:00 Chicago / 09:00 San Francisco. That keeps the call inside working hours in both cities.
Does the difference between Chicago and San Francisco change during the year?
Both cities change their clocks, but not always on the same date — the difference between them shifts for a few weeks each year.