Highlighted rows fall within 09:00–18:00 in both places: 8 shared working hours.
How many hours is UTC behind CET?
As abbreviations, CET is always 1 hour ahead of UTC: UTC is UTC+0 and CET is UTC+1. To convert, add 1 hours.
When the UTC to CET time difference changes
For most of the year CET is 2 hours ahead of UTC. From 25 October to 31 December 2026, CET is 1 hour ahead of UTC instead, because the two places change their clocks on different dates. Meetings booked by the usual gap land an hour off in those weeks.
Dates
CET vs UTC
Length
25 October 2026 to 31 December 2026
1 hour ahead
68 days
1 January 2027 to 27 March 2027
1 hour ahead
86 days
28 March 2027 to 30 October 2027
2 hours ahead
217 days
31 October 2027 to 31 December 2027
1 hour ahead
62 days
When UTC and CET are both at work
When CET is 2 hours ahead of UTC: 6 shared office hours, 09:00 to 15:00 in UTC (11:00 to 17:00 in CET).
When CET is 1 hour ahead of UTC: 7 shared office hours, 09:00 to 16:00 in UTC (10:00 to 17:00 in CET).
Frequently asked questions about UTC and CET time
How many hours ahead is CET of UTC?
CET (UTC+1) is 1 hour ahead of UTC (UTC+0).
Does the time difference between UTC and CET change?
Yes. It is usually 2 hours ahead, but changes when one side moves its clocks: 1 hour ahead from 25 October to 31 December 2026; 1 hour ahead from 1 January to 27 March 2027.