Time zone meeting planner
Chicago and Sydney: plan a meeting across time zones
Chicago and Sydney are 15 hours apart (Sydney ahead). See the best meeting time, upcoming holidays and clock-change dates for both.
The time difference
For most of the year, Sydney is 15 hours ahead of Chicago. That gap does not hold all year — here is how it actually moves:
- 1 January to 7 March: Sydney is 17 hours ahead of Chicago
- 8 March to 4 April: Sydney is 16 hours ahead of Chicago
- 5 April to 3 October: Sydney is 15 hours ahead of Chicago
- 4 October to 31 October: Sydney is 16 hours ahead of Chicago
- 1 November to 31 December: Sydney is 17 hours ahead of Chicago
Best time to meet
Chicago and Sydney do not share a normal working-hours window. The best compromise is 5 PM in Chicago / 8 AM in Sydney — still early or late for whoever is furthest from a normal day, which is the honest trade-off at this distance.
Check another date for Chicago and SydneyClock changes to plan around
- Chicago changes clocks — 2026: 8 March and 1 November; 2027: 14 March and 7 November.
- Sydney changes clocks — 2026: 5 April and 4 October; 2027: 4 April and 3 October.
Upcoming public holidays
- 12 October — Chicago: Columbus Day
- 11 November — Chicago: Veterans Day
- 26 November — Chicago: Thanksgiving Day
- 25 December — Chicago: Christmas Day
- 25 December — Sydney: Christmas Day
- 26 December — Sydney: Boxing Day
- 1 January 2027 — Sydney: New Year's Day
- 26 January 2027 — Sydney: Australia Day
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 Sydney
When is the best time to meet between Chicago and Sydney?
There is no hour that is inside normal working time in both cities, so someone has to stretch. The least painful slot is 5 PM in Chicago / 8 AM in Sydney. At this distance the fair answer is usually to alternate which side takes the awkward hour rather than fixing one time forever.
What time is it in Sydney when it is 9 AM in Chicago?
For most of the year, 9 AM in Chicago is 12 AM in Sydney (UTC-5 against UTC+10). During the weeks listed above when the gap shifts, it moves by an hour. Open the planner for a specific date.
Does Chicago or Sydney change clocks first?
Both cities observe daylight saving, but not always on the same dates — see the clock-change dates above.
Is there a public holiday in Chicago or Sydney soon?
Chicago: Columbus Day on 12 October. Sydney: Christmas Day on 25 December.