Time zone meeting planner
Chicago and Johannesburg: plan a meeting across time zones
Chicago and Johannesburg are 7 hours apart (Johannesburg ahead). See the best meeting time, upcoming holidays and clock-change dates for both.
The time difference
For most of the year, Johannesburg is 7 hours ahead of Chicago. That gap does not hold all year — here is how it actually moves:
- 1 January to 7 March: Johannesburg is 8 hours ahead of Chicago
- 8 March to 31 October: Johannesburg is 7 hours ahead of Chicago
- 1 November to 31 December: Johannesburg is 8 hours ahead of Chicago
Best time to meet
A one-hour meeting starting around 9 AM in Chicago lands at 4 PM in Johannesburg — inside normal working hours (9 AM–5 PM) for both sides.
Clock changes to plan around
- Chicago changes clocks — 2026: 8 March and 1 November; 2027: 14 March and 7 November.
- Johannesburg does not change clocks.
Upcoming public holidays
- 12 October — Chicago: Columbus Day
- 11 November — Chicago: Veterans Day
- 26 November — Chicago: Thanksgiving Day
- 25 December — Chicago: Christmas Day
- 24 September — Johannesburg: Heritage Day
- 16 December — Johannesburg: Day of Reconciliation
- 25 December — Johannesburg: Christmas Day
- 26 December — Johannesburg: Day of Goodwill
Holiday data uses country-level public calendars and may miss regional observances or company shutdowns — confirm with your participant if the date matters.
Questions about Chicago and Johannesburg
What time is it in Johannesburg when it is 9 AM in Chicago?
For most of the year, 9 AM in Chicago is 4 PM in Johannesburg (UTC-5 against UTC+2). During the weeks listed above when the gap shifts, it moves by an hour. Open the planner for a specific date.
Does Chicago or Johannesburg change clocks first?
Johannesburg does not observe daylight saving time; Chicago does, so the gap shifts when Chicago changes clocks.
Is there a public holiday in Chicago or Johannesburg soon?
Chicago: Columbus Day on 12 October. Johannesburg: Heritage Day on 24 September.