Three numbers. The ones that decide the meeting.
When the world meets at work.
Read the day in both zones.
Crossing the border. Money, language, plugs.
Money changes hands at the border: Malé uses the MVR (.ރ) and Chicago uses the USD ($). Language shifts too — Maldivian in Malé, English in Chicago. Be careful behind the wheel: Malé drives on the left, Chicago on the right.
- Country
- Maldives
- Capital
- Malé
- Currency
- Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR · .ރ)
- Language
- Maldivian
- Calling code
- +960
- Drives on
- Left
- Country
- United States
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
- Currency
- United States dollar (USD · $)
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +1
- Drives on
- Right
Quick answers. Before you book the call.
What's the time difference between Malé and Chicago?
Malé is 10 hours behind Chicago. Malé runs on GMT+5 and Chicago on GMT-5. The gap can shift by an hour when either side enters or leaves daylight saving — the live clocks above always reflect the current offset.
When's the best time to schedule a meeting?
Standard 09:00–17:00 workdays don't intersect. Most teams compromise with one side meeting early (before 09:00) or late (after 17:00).
Does daylight saving time change the difference?
Yes, if either city observes DST. When one side shifts and the other doesn't, the gap changes by one hour. The DST badges under each clock show whether each zone is currently shifted and when the next transition lands.
How far is Malé from Chicago?
About 14,550 km as the crow flies (great-circle distance). A non-stop commercial flight cruises that in roughly 17h 37m, not counting airport time, winds, or routing around restricted airspace.
Can I send this meeting time as a calendar invite?
Yes. Pick a time on the slider above, open the meeting card, customize the title and duration, then download the .ics file. It imports cleanly into Google Calendar, Outlook, and Apple Calendar with the correct timezone attached.
What currency do Malé and Chicago use?
Malé uses the Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR, .ރ); Chicago uses the United States dollar (USD, $). Check the live rate before transferring money or paying with a card abroad — most banks add a 1–3 % FX margin on top of the mid-market rate.
How do I call Malé from Chicago?
Dial the international prefix used by your carrier (often 011), then +960, then the local number — drop any leading zero of the city or mobile code. For free calls, WhatsApp, Signal, and FaceTime work over Wi-Fi regardless of country code.
What language is spoken in Malé and Chicago?
Malé primarily speaks Maldivian; Chicago speaks English. English is widely used in business contexts in major cities of both, but written contracts may need translation.
Do Malé and Chicago drive on the same side of the road?
No. Maldives drives on the left, United States on the right. If you're renting, expect a learning curve on the first day — especially at roundabouts and when judging the centre of the lane.