CET to AST Converter
AST is 5 hours behind CET. 9:00 AM CET = 4:00 AM AST.
AST is 5 hours behind CET at the moment. To convert CET to AST, subtract 5 hours from the CET time: 9:00 AM CET = 4:00 AM AST.
CET (Central European Time) is used in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Sweden, Norway, Austria, Switzerland and more. AST (Atlantic Time) is used in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI; Puerto Rico and the Eastern Caribbean (all year).
AST here is Atlantic Standard Time, not Arabia Standard Time.
CET to AST time conversion table
CET to AST on 6 Nov 2026. Today's date. Highlighted rows are 9 AM–5 PM in both places.
| CET | AST | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 12:00 AM CET | 7:00 PM AST | previous day |
| 1:00 AM CET | 8:00 PM AST | previous day |
| 2:00 AM CET | 9:00 PM AST | previous day |
| 3:00 AM CET | 10:00 PM AST | previous day |
| 4:00 AM CET | 11:00 PM AST | previous day |
| 5:00 AM CET | 12:00 AM AST | night |
| 6:00 AM CET | 1:00 AM AST | night |
| 7:00 AM CET | 2:00 AM AST | night |
| 8:00 AM CET | 3:00 AM AST | night |
| 9:00 AM CET | 4:00 AM AST | night |
| 10:00 AM CET | 5:00 AM AST | night |
| 11:00 AM CET | 6:00 AM AST | — |
| 12:00 PM CET | 7:00 AM AST | — |
| 1:00 PM CET | 8:00 AM AST | — |
| 2:00 PM CET | 9:00 AM AST | work hours |
| 3:00 PM CET | 10:00 AM AST | work hours |
| 4:00 PM CET | 11:00 AM AST | work hours |
| 5:00 PM CET | 12:00 PM AST | — |
| 6:00 PM CET | 1:00 PM AST | — |
| 7:00 PM CET | 2:00 PM AST | — |
| 8:00 PM CET | 3:00 PM AST | — |
| 9:00 PM CET | 4:00 PM AST | — |
| 10:00 PM CET | 5:00 PM AST | — |
| 11:00 PM CET | 6:00 PM AST | — |
- Work rows — 9 AM–5 PM in both places
- Night in the destination (10 PM–6 AM)
How to convert CET to AST
Subtract 5 hours from the CET time to get AST.
Example: 9:00 AM CET = 4:00 AM AST.
Across midnight: 1:00 AM CET = 8:00 PM AST (previous day). The date changes, so always check the day as well as the hour.
Time difference between CET and AST
The time difference between CET and AST is not the same all year, because the two sides change for daylight saving time on different dates. In 2026 it works out like this:
- 1 Jan 2026 – 7 Mar 2026: AST is 5 hours behind of CET.
- 8 Mar 2026 – 28 Mar 2026: AST is 4 hours behind of CET.
- 29 Mar 2026 – 24 Oct 2026: AST is 5 hours behind of CET.
- 25 Oct 2026 – 31 Oct 2026: AST is 4 hours behind of CET.
- 1 Nov 2026 – 31 Dec 2026: AST is 5 hours behind of CET.
CET and AST during daylight saving time
- CET next changes on 28 Mar 2027: clocks go forward one hour at 01:59 local time, from CET (UTC+1) to CEST (UTC+2).
- AST next changes on 14 Mar 2027: clocks go forward one hour at 01:59 local time, from AST (UTC−4) to ADT (UTC−3).
Best time for a meeting between CET and AST
CET and AST share 3 hours of the 9 AM–5 PM working day. Any time between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM CET lands between 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM AST, inside working hours for both.
CET to AST FAQ
What is the time difference between CET and AST?
Right now AST is 5 hours behind CET. The gap changes 5 times in 2026 because the two sides switch to daylight saving time on different dates.
What is 9 AM CET in AST?
9:00 AM CET is 4:00 AM AST.
What is 12 PM (noon) CET in AST?
12:00 PM CET is 7:00 AM AST.
Is AST ahead of or behind CET?
AST is 5 hours behind CET, so it is earlier in AST than in CET.
Does CET change for daylight saving time?
Yes. CET next changes on 28 Mar 2027, when clocks go forward one hour from CET to CEST.
Does AST change for daylight saving time?
Yes. AST next changes on 14 Mar 2027, when clocks go forward one hour from AST to ADT.
What is the best time for a meeting between CET and AST?
CET and AST share 3 hours of the 9 AM–5 PM working day. Any time between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM CET lands between 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM AST, inside working hours for both.
Related conversions
Convert AST to CET
Convert CET to other time zones
Convert other time zones to AST
Learn more
Updated 6 November 2026. Time zone data: IANA tz database.