Time Difference Between Cairo and Chicago
Chicago is 8h behind Cairo.
This is the standard-time difference as of 2026. If either city observes daylight saving time, the actual difference can shift by up to an hour for part of the year — the live clocks below always show the current real-time difference.
Working Hours Overlap
For each hour of Cairo's working day (9:00-18:00), here is the corresponding local time in Chicago. Rows highlighted green fall within standard working hours (9:00-18:00) in both cities.
| Cairo | Chicago | Both working hours? |
|---|---|---|
| 9 AM | 1 AM | No |
| 10 AM | 2 AM | No |
| 11 AM | 3 AM | No |
| 12 PM | 4 AM | No |
| 1 PM | 5 AM | No |
| 2 PM | 6 AM | No |
| 3 PM | 7 AM | No |
| 4 PM | 8 AM | No |
| 5 PM | 9 AM | Yes |
| 6 PM | 10 AM | No |
Best Time to Meet
- 5 PM-6 PM in Cairo (9 AM-10 AM in Chicago) works for both sides — it falls within standard 9 AM-6 PM working hours in both time zones.
How the Difference Changes in 2026
Because the two cities change their clocks on different dates, the gap is not one number. Here is how Chicago stands relative to Cairo through 2026:
| Period | Chicago vs Cairo |
|---|---|
| Jan 1 – Mar 7 | 8h behind |
| Mar 8 – Apr 23 | 7h behind |
| Apr 24 – Oct 29 | 8h behind |
| Oct 30 – Oct 31 | 7h behind |
| Nov 1 – Dec 31 | 8h behind |
Cairo changes its clocks on Apr 24 (clocks forward) and Oct 30 (clocks back); Chicago changes its clocks on Mar 8 (clocks forward) and Nov 1 (clocks back). Dates use the UTC calendar; the switch takes effect early that morning local time.
Cairo
Cairo uses the Africa/Cairo IANA time zone, currently at UTC+3. This zone observes daylight saving time.
Chicago
Chicago uses the America/Chicago IANA time zone, currently at UTC-5. This zone observes daylight saving time.