Three numbers. The ones that decide the meeting.
When the world meets at work.
Read the day in both zones.
If it's this in Tarawa, it's that in Chicago.
When it's 8:00 am in Tarawa, it's 3:00 pm in Chicago — afternoon there, the previous day.
When it's 10:00 am in Tarawa, it's 5:00 pm in Chicago — afternoon there, the previous day.
When it's 12:00 pm in Tarawa, it's 7:00 pm in Chicago — evening there, the previous day.
When it's 3:00 pm in Tarawa, it's 10:00 pm in Chicago — night there, the previous day.
When it's 5:00 pm in Tarawa, it's 12:00 am in Chicago — late night there, the same day.
When it's 9:00 pm in Tarawa, it's 4:00 am in Chicago — late night there, the same day.
Crossing the border. Money, language, plugs.
Money changes hands at the border: Tarawa uses the AUD ($) and Chicago uses the USD ($). Conversations can stay in English, which is official in both countries. Be careful behind the wheel: Tarawa drives on the left, Chicago on the right.
- Country
- Kiribati
- Capital
- South Tarawa
- Currency
- Australian dollar (AUD · $)
- Language
- English, Gilbertese
- Calling code
- +686
- 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 Tarawa and Chicago?
Tarawa is 17 hours behind Chicago. Tarawa runs on GMT+12 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 Tarawa, what time is it in Chicago?
10:00 am in Tarawa is 5:00 pm in Chicago the previous day — afternoon 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 Tarawa, what time is it in Chicago?
3:00 pm in Tarawa is 10:00 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?
There are 1 hour where both cities are inside a 09:00–17:00 workday. Aim for the middle of that window so neither side is starting or closing out.
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 Tarawa from Chicago?
About 10,675 km as the crow flies (great-circle distance). A non-stop commercial flight cruises that in roughly 13h 4m, 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 Tarawa and Chicago use?
Tarawa 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 Tarawa from Chicago?
Dial the international prefix used by your carrier (often 011), then +686, 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 Tarawa and Chicago?
Both Kiribati and United States count English among their official languages, so business meetings often skip translation. Tarawa also has Gilbertese; Chicago adds no other official tongue.
Do Tarawa and Chicago drive on the same side of the road?
No. Kiribati 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.