When the world meets at work.
Read the day in both zones.
If it's this in Sydney, it's that in Chicago.
When it's 8:00 am in Sydney, it's 4:00 pm in Chicago — afternoon there, the previous day.
When it's 10:00 am in Sydney, it's 6:00 pm in Chicago — evening there, the previous day.
When it's 12:00 pm in Sydney, it's 8:00 pm in Chicago — evening there, the previous day.
When it's 3:00 pm in Sydney, it's 11:00 pm in Chicago — night there, the previous day.
When it's 5:00 pm in Sydney, it's 1:00 am in Chicago — late night there, the same day.
When it's 9:00 pm in Sydney, it's 5:00 am in Chicago — morning there, the same day.
Crossing the border. Money, language, plugs.
Money changes hands at the border: Sydney uses the AUD ($) and Chicago uses the USD ($). Conversations can stay in English, which is official in both countries. Be careful behind the wheel: Sydney drives on the left, Chicago on the right.
- Country
- Australia
- Capital
- Canberra
- Currency
- Australian dollar (AUD · $)
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +61
- 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 Sydney and Chicago?
Sydney is 16 hours behind Chicago. Sydney runs on GMT+11 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 it's 10 am in Sydney, what time is it in Chicago?
10:00 am in Sydney is 6:00 pm in Chicago the previous day — evening there. The same shift applies to any hour; the quick-conversion cards and the 24-hour table above cover the full day.
When it's 3 pm in Sydney, what time is it in Chicago?
3:00 pm in Sydney is 11:00 pm in Chicago the previous day — night there. The same shift applies to any hour; the quick-conversion cards and the 24-hour table above cover the full day.
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 Sydney from Chicago?
About 14,876 km as the crow flies (great-circle distance). A non-stop commercial flight cruises that in roughly 18h, 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 Sydney and Chicago use?
Sydney uses the Australian dollar (AUD, $); 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 Sydney from Chicago?
Dial the international prefix used by your carrier (often 011), then +61, 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 Sydney and Chicago?
Both Australia and United States count English among their official languages, so business meetings often skip translation. Sydney also has no other official tongue; Chicago adds no other official tongue.
Do Sydney and Chicago drive on the same side of the road?
No. Australia 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.