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.
Clock 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
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.