How many hours is MST behind CEST?
As abbreviations, CEST is always 9 hours ahead of MST: MST is UTC−7 and CEST is UTC+2. To convert, add 9 hours.
Check which label you actually need: MST (Mountain Time is on MDT today). A time written with an abbreviation that is not in use is usually meant as the local time, so convert between the places instead: right now CEST is 8 hours ahead of MST.
When the MST to CEST time difference changes
For most of the year CEST is 8 hours ahead of MST. From 25 October to 31 October 2026, CEST is 7 hours ahead of MST instead, because the two places change their clocks on different dates. Meetings booked by the usual gap land an hour off in those weeks.
| Dates | CEST vs MST | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 29 March 2026 to 24 October 2026 | 8 hours ahead | 210 days |
| 25 October 2026 to 31 October 2026 | 7 hours ahead | 7 days |
| 1 November 2026 to 31 December 2026 | 8 hours ahead | 61 days |
| 1 January 2027 to 13 March 2027 | 8 hours ahead | 72 days |
| 14 March 2027 to 27 March 2027 | 7 hours ahead | 14 days |
| 28 March 2027 to 30 October 2027 | 8 hours ahead | 217 days |
| 31 October 2027 to 6 November 2027 | 7 hours ahead | 7 days |
| 7 November 2027 to 31 December 2027 | 8 hours ahead | 55 days |
Best time for a meeting between MST and CEST
- When CEST is 8 hours ahead of MST: no shared 09:00 to 17:00 hours; try 09:00 in MST (17:00 in CEST).
- When CEST is 7 hours ahead of MST: 1 shared office hour, 09:00 to 10:00 in MST (16:00 to 17:00 in CEST).