Daylight saving time guide
CET vs CEST: Central Europe time
Central European locations use CET in winter and CEST during daylight saving. The exact offset depends on the date.
Quick answer
CET is UTC+1Central European Time is the winter offset.
CEST is UTC+2Central European Summer Time is the daylight-saving offset.
Best labelUse Europe/Paris, Europe/Berlin or the exact city zone.
Live IANA timezone check
This page uses Europe/Paris, not a fixed abbreviation, so the browser's IANA timezone database can show the current short name and UTC offset.
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Paris / Central European Time
Europe meeting notes
Paris, Berlin, Madrid and Rome usually follow Central European daylight-saving rules, but city zones are still safer than abbreviations.
For precise scheduling, use the IANA timezone such as Europe/Paris and a real calendar date. Abbreviations are helpful labels, but they can be ambiguous and change with daylight saving time.
FAQ
Is Berlin always CET?
No. Berlin normally uses CEST during summer.
Are CET and CEST one hour apart?
Yes. CEST is one hour ahead of CET.
What should I put in a calendar invite?
Use the city timezone and date, not only an abbreviation.