Is Chicago Always 6 Hours Behind London?

By Michael Ferguson

If you’re planning a trip from Chicago to London, or vice versa, one of the most important things to keep in mind is the time difference between the two cities. While it’s commonly assumed that Chicago is always six hours behind London, this isn’t necessarily true.

Daylight Saving Time

The reason for this is Daylight Saving Time (DST). Both the United States and the United Kingdom observe DST, but they do so on slightly different schedules.

In the U.S., DST begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November. In the UK, DST begins on the last Sunday in March and ends on the last Sunday in October.

Example

Let’s say it’s 6:00 PM in Chicago on a day when both cities are observing Standard Time (not Daylight Saving Time). At that moment, it would be 12:00 AM (midnight) in London because London is six hours ahead of Chicago. However, if it’s 6:00 PM in Chicago during Daylight Saving Time (which typically runs from mid-March to early November), it would be 11:00 PM in London because both cities are now observing DST.

Time Differences by Month

To help you plan your trip more effectively, here’s a breakdown of the time difference between Chicago and London by month:

January – February

During these months, both cities are usually observing Standard Time. Therefore, Chicago is six hours behind London.

March – Early November

During this period, Chicago observes DST while London doesn’t until later in March. So for a few weeks during March and early April, there will be a five-hour time difference between the two cities. After that point until early November when both cities are observing DST, the time difference is six hours.

Late November – December

During these months, Chicago has returned to Standard Time while London is still observing DST. This means that for a few weeks in late November and early December, there will be a five-hour time difference. After that point until the end of the year when both cities are back on Standard Time, the time difference is six hours.

  • January – February: 6-hour time difference (Chicago behind)
  • March – Early April: 5-hour time difference (Chicago behind)
  • Mid-April – Early November: 6-hour time difference (Chicago behind)
  • Late November – December: 5-hour time difference (Chicago behind)

In Conclusion

While it’s generally true that Chicago is six hours behind London, this isn’t always the case. The time difference between these two cities can change depending on whether or not they are observing Daylight Saving Time. By keeping track of these changes, you can plan your trip more effectively and avoid any confusion about what time it is in your destination city.