Toolman

Time difference between Chicago and Tokyo

Tokyo is 14 hours ahead of Chicago

Chicago, the United States is UTC−6 · Tokyo, Japan is UTC+9 — on standard time

The gap is not the same all year

Every converter gives one number for this pair. That number is right for most of the year and wrong for part of it, because Chicago goes forward on the second Sunday in March and back on the first Sunday in November and Tokyo does not change its clocks.

Chicago / Tokyo clocksDifferenceHow long
summer / standard14 hours aheadabout 34 weeks — most of the year
standard / standard15 hours aheadabout 18 weeks

Tokyo stays put all year while Chicago moves, so a meeting fixed in Tokyo's calendar shifts by an hour twice a year at Chicago's end.

When they can both be at their desks

Nine-to-five in Chicago and nine-to-five in Tokyo do not overlap at all. With 14 hours between them, one side is always outside working hours, and the practical question is which side takes the early start or the late finish rather than when to meet.

Chicago to Tokyo, hour by hour

ChicagoTokyo
12:00 AM2:00 PM
1:00 AM3:00 PM
2:00 AM4:00 PM
3:00 AM5:00 PM
4:00 AM6:00 PM
5:00 AM7:00 PM
6:00 AM8:00 PM
7:00 AM9:00 PM
8:00 AM10:00 PM
9:00 AM11:00 PM
10:00 AM12:00 AM (next day)
11:00 AM1:00 AM (next day)
12:00 PM2:00 AM (next day)
1:00 PM3:00 AM (next day)
2:00 PM4:00 AM (next day)
3:00 PM5:00 AM (next day)
4:00 PM6:00 AM (next day)
5:00 PM7:00 AM (next day)
6:00 PM8:00 AM (next day)
7:00 PM9:00 AM (next day)
8:00 PM10:00 AM (next day)
9:00 PM11:00 AM (next day)
10:00 PM12:00 PM (next day)
11:00 PM1:00 PM (next day)

On the usual gap of 14 hours.

Frequently asked questions

What is the time difference between Chicago and Tokyo?

Tokyo is 14 hours ahead of Chicago for most of the year. It is not the same all year — there is one other gap, because Chicago goes forward on the second Sunday in March and back on the first Sunday in November and Tokyo does not change its clocks.

Is Tokyo ahead of Chicago?

Yes — Tokyo is 14 hours ahead. Chicago is UTC−6 and Tokyo is UTC+9 on standard time.

What time is 9 AM in Chicago in Tokyo?

11:00 PM, on the usual gap.

When can Chicago and Tokyo meet?

Nine-to-five in Chicago and nine-to-five in Tokyo do not overlap at all. One side has to take the call outside working hours, and with 14 hours between them it is worth deciding in advance which side that is.

Other pairs

Every Chicago pair · Every Tokyo pair · All city pairs · Time zones by abbreviation