Time difference between Madrid and Chicago
Chicago is 7 hours behind Madrid
Madrid, Spain is UTC+1 · Chicago, the United States is UTC−6 — 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 Madrid goes forward on the last Sunday in March and back on the last Sunday in October and Chicago goes forward on the second Sunday in March and back on the first Sunday in November.
| Madrid / Chicago clocks | Difference | How long |
|---|---|---|
| summer / summer, standard / standard | 7 hours behind | about 48 weeks — most of the year |
| standard / summer | 6 hours behind | about 4 weeks |
Both change their clocks and both are in the northern hemisphere, but not on the same weekend — Madrid goes forward on the last Sunday in March and Chicago on the second Sunday in March. For the days in between, the gap is neither party's expected figure, and a standing meeting silently moves by an hour. That mismatch is a common cause of a missed international call.
When they can both be at their desks
Nine-to-five in both cities overlaps for 1 hour — 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM in Madrid, the same moment as 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM in Chicago.
Madrid to Chicago, hour by hour
| Madrid | Chicago |
|---|---|
| 12:00 AM | 5:00 PM (previous day) |
| 1:00 AM | 6:00 PM (previous day) |
| 2:00 AM | 7:00 PM (previous day) |
| 3:00 AM | 8:00 PM (previous day) |
| 4:00 AM | 9:00 PM (previous day) |
| 5:00 AM | 10:00 PM (previous day) |
| 6:00 AM | 11:00 PM (previous day) |
| 7:00 AM | 12:00 AM |
| 8:00 AM | 1:00 AM |
| 9:00 AM | 2:00 AM |
| 10:00 AM | 3:00 AM |
| 11:00 AM | 4:00 AM |
| 12:00 PM | 5:00 AM |
| 1:00 PM | 6:00 AM |
| 2:00 PM | 7:00 AM |
| 3:00 PM | 8:00 AM |
| 4:00 PM | 9:00 AM |
| 5:00 PM | 10:00 AM |
| 6:00 PM | 11:00 AM |
| 7:00 PM | 12:00 PM |
| 8:00 PM | 1:00 PM |
| 9:00 PM | 2:00 PM |
| 10:00 PM | 3:00 PM |
| 11:00 PM | 4:00 PM |
On the usual gap of 7 hours.
Frequently asked questions
What is the time difference between Madrid and Chicago?
Chicago is 7 hours behind Madrid for most of the year. It is not the same all year — there is one other gap, because Madrid goes forward on the last Sunday in March and back on the last Sunday in October and Chicago goes forward on the second Sunday in March and back on the first Sunday in November.
Is Chicago ahead of Madrid?
No — Chicago is 7 hours behind. Madrid is UTC+1 and Chicago is UTC−6 on standard time.
What time is 9 AM in Madrid in Chicago?
2:00 AM, on the usual gap.
When can Madrid and Chicago meet?
Standard nine-to-five hours overlap for 1 hour: 4:00 PM–5:00 PM in Madrid, which is 9:00 AM–10:00 AM in Chicago.
Other pairs
- Madrid to Mexico City
- Madrid to Denver
- Madrid to Los Angeles
- Madrid to Vancouver
- Madrid to Anchorage
- Madrid to Honolulu
- Madrid to São Paulo
- Madrid to Buenos Aires
- Madrid to Lima
- Madrid to Johannesburg
Every Madrid pair · Every Chicago pair · All city pairs · Time zones by abbreviation