Understanding the Time Difference Between Chicago and Toronto
Toronto operates on the America/Toronto timezone, which is 1 hour ahead of Chicago's America/Chicago timezone. This means when it's noon in Chicago, it's 13:00 in Toronto.
Best Hours for Business Communication
The optimal window for scheduling calls or meetings between Chicago and Toronto is when both cities are within their standard business hours (9:00-17:00 in Chicago and 9:00-17:00 in Toronto).
Based on this overlap, we recommend scheduling meetings during the shared business hours window where both cities are within their typical 9:00–17:00 workday.
Daylight Saving Time Considerations
Chicago observes Daylight Saving Time, typically adjusting clocks forward in spring and back in fall. Toronto also observes Daylight Saving Time. During DST transitions, the time difference may temporarily change by one hour. Always verify the current time difference during March/April and October/November.
Practical Examples
For Remote Teams
If you manage a team spread across Chicago and Toronto, consider scheduling daily standups during overlapping business hours. This ensures both teams are alert and productive during the meeting.
For International Business
When conducting business calls between Chicago and Toronto, the morning hours in Chicago typically offer the best overlap with afternoon hours in Toronto.