Central European Time (CET) is the standard time used in many countries across Central and Western Europe. CET is 1 hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+1). During the summer months, many countries switch to Central European Summer Time (CEST) which is UTC+2.
CET is used in major cities such as Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Rome, Amsterdam, and Brussels.
Current Time in CET
Quick Facts
- Time Zone: Central European Time (CET)
- UTC Offset: UTC +1
- Daylight Saving Time: Observed
- Major Cities: Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Rome, Amsterdam, Brussels
- Region: Europe
Time Difference From CET
Examples of time differences compared to CET:
- London: −1 hour behind
- Dubai: +3 hours ahead
- New York: −6 hours behind
- Sydney: +9 to +10 hours ahead depending on daylight saving
- Tokyo: +8 hours ahead
Daylight Saving Time
Many European countries using CET observe Daylight Saving Time.
During summer months the time changes to Central European Summer Time (CEST).
Clock changes:
Start: Last Sunday in March
End: Last Sunday in October
During this period the offset changes from:
UTC+1 → UTC+2
Frequently Asked Questions
What does CET stand for?
CET stands for Central European Time.
Which countries use CET?
Many European countries use CET including France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, and Austria.
What is the difference between CET and CEST?
CET is the standard time (UTC+1), while CEST is the daylight saving time (UTC+2) used during summer.
Is CET the same as GMT?
No. CET is 1 hour ahead of GMT (UTC+0).
Where CET Is Used
Central European Time is used in several European countries including:
Additional Note
Central European Time covers a large part of Europe and is one of the most widely used time zones in the world. Because many countries observe daylight saving time, the region shifts to Central European Summer Time (CEST) during the warmer months.
