The short answer
Daylight saving time 2026 ends on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 2:00 a.m. local time, when clocks fall back one hour to 1:00 a.m. You gain an extra hour of sleep that night. Next, clocks spring forward again on Sunday, March 14, 2027.
- Fall back: Sunday, November 1, 2026, 2:00 a.m. becomes 1:00 a.m.
- Spring forward: Sunday, March 14, 2027, 2:00 a.m. becomes 3:00 a.m.
- No change: Hawaii, most of Arizona and the U.S. territories.
- Permanent DST: The House passed the Sunshine Protection Act in July 2026, but the Senate has not acted, so it is not law.
Nov 1
Clocks fall back in 2026
Mar 14
Clocks spring forward in 2027
238 days
Length of DST each year
308-117
House vote for permanent DST
In this article
Daylight saving time (DST), the practice of setting clocks one hour ahead in spring and back in fall, is about to end for 2026. So if you have been wondering when the time change happens, it is the first weekend of November. This guide covers the exact date and time, every daylight saving time date through 2030, the places that skip it, and where the push to make it permanent stands in Congress.
In addition, we include practical tips for getting through the switch, because even a one-hour shift can throw off your sleep for several days.
When Does Daylight Saving Time End in 2026?
Daylight saving time ends on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 2:00 a.m. local time. At that moment, clocks go back to 1:00 a.m., so you get one extra hour that night.
That timing comes straight from federal law. According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the agency that maintains official U.S. time, DST begins at 2:00 a.m. on the second Sunday of March and ends at 2:00 a.m. on the first Sunday of November. For 2026, NIST lists the dates as March 8 and November 1.
What time does daylight saving time 2026 end?
The change happens at 2:00 a.m. in each time zone, not at one single moment nationwide. Therefore, New York falls back first, then Chicago an hour later, then Denver, and so on westward. Because the clock jumps from 1:59:59 a.m. back to 1:00 a.m., the 1 a.m. hour repeats once.
Do we gain or lose an hour?
You gain an hour in November. In other words, if you go to bed at your usual time on Saturday, October 31, you can sleep one hour longer before the clock reads the same wake-up time. Meanwhile, sunset will arrive about an hour earlier on the clock the following week, which is why early November evenings suddenly feel darker.
Pro tip. Halloween falls on Saturday, October 31, 2026, the night before the time change. So trick-or-treaters get their usual evening light, and the extra hour lands right after. For timing ideas, see our guide to trick-or-treating times and safety tips.
Which devices change automatically?
Most smartphones, computers and smart speakers switch on their own, as long as automatic date and time settings are on. However, ovens, microwaves, car clocks and basic wall clocks usually need a manual update. NIST also notes that some older “auto-set” clocks were built for the pre-2007 rules and may change on the wrong weekend, so check them and fix the time by hand if needed.
If you want to double-check, the official U.S. clock at time.gov shows the exact time for your zone.
What Is Daylight Saving Time?
Daylight saving time is the period from March to November when U.S. clocks run one hour ahead of standard time. The idea is to shift an hour of daylight from the early morning to the evening during the longer days of spring and summer.
The current schedule dates to the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which took effect in 2007. According to NIST, that law extended DST by about a month, so it now lasts 238 days, or roughly 65% of the year. Before 2007, DST started in April and ended in late October.
The U.S. Department of Transportation oversees DST and time zones, while NIST distributes official time based on those rules. Notably, Congress kept the option to go back to the older schedule if the change proved unpopular.
Is it “daylight saving” or “daylight savings”?
The official term is daylight saving time, with no “s.” Still, most people say and search for “daylight savings,” and both refer to the same thing. Either way, you will find the same dates below.
Daylight Saving Time 2026 to 2030: Every Date
Daylight saving time 2026 runs from March 8 to November 1. After that, the start and end dates move each year because they are tied to specific Sundays, not fixed calendar dates.
The table below applies the federal rule (second Sunday in March, first Sunday in November) to each year through 2030. All changes happen at 2:00 a.m. local time.
| Year | DST starts (spring forward) | DST ends (fall back) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday, March 8 | Sunday, November 1 |
| 2027 | Sunday, March 14 | Sunday, November 7 |
| 2028 | Sunday, March 12 | Sunday, November 5 |
| 2029 | Sunday, March 11 | Sunday, November 4 |
| 2030 | Sunday, March 10 | Sunday, November 3 |
When is the next time change after November 2026?
The next time change is Sunday, March 14, 2027, at 2:00 a.m., when clocks spring forward to 3:00 a.m. That means you lose an hour of sleep that night. Then, daylight saving time 2027 ends on Sunday, November 7, 2027.
Which States Don’t Observe Daylight Saving Time?
Hawaii and most of Arizona do not observe daylight saving time, so their clocks stay on standard time all year. Five U.S. territories also skip it.
Here is the full list, according to NIST:
| Place | Observes DST? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | No | Stays on Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time all year |
| Arizona | No (mostly) | Stays on Mountain Standard Time |
| Navajo Nation (Arizona) | Yes | The exception inside Arizona |
| Puerto Rico | No | U.S. territory |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | No | U.S. territory |
| Guam | No | U.S. territory |
| American Samoa | No | U.S. territory |
| All other states | Yes | Fall back November 1, 2026 |
Why does Arizona time seem to change?
Arizona never changes its clocks. However, its neighbors do. As a result, from March to November, most of Arizona matches California’s time, and from November to March, it matches Colorado and the rest of Mountain Time.
Watch out. If you have a meeting, flight or game broadcast that involves Arizona or Hawaii, check the time zone carefully the week after November 1. In short, the gap between those states and the rest of the country shrinks by one hour.
Is Daylight Saving Time Becoming Permanent?
Not yet. The House voted to make daylight saving time permanent in July 2026, but the Senate has not passed the bill, so the twice-yearly clock change remains federal law.
What is the Sunshine Protection Act?
The Sunshine Protection Act (H.R. 139), introduced by Rep. Vern Buchanan of Florida in January 2025, would keep clocks on today’s March-to-November time all year. According to NBC News, the House passed it 308-117 on July 14, 2026. Under the bill, states would keep standard time only if they had exempted themselves before the law took effect.
The official bill record on GovInfo shows the House-passed version was received in the Senate on July 15, 2026, and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. A Senate companion, S. 29, from Sen. Rick Scott, was also referred to that committee.
Why hasn’t the Senate passed it?
The bill has stalled because of opposition in the Senate. NBC News reported that Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas objected to fast-tracking a Senate version, arguing that permanent DST would leave children going to school in the dark. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader John Thune told NBC, “I just don’t think we want a mandate.” As of an NBC News report on October 3, 2026, the Senate had still not taken up the measure.
History also hangs over the debate. In the 1970s, during the oil crisis, Congress put the country on year-round DST, but lawmakers repealed it after less than a year, according to NBC. Similarly, the Senate passed a permanent-DST bill by unanimous consent in 2022, but it never got a House vote.
Who opposes permanent daylight saving time?
Sleep scientists generally want to end the clock changes, but with permanent standard time instead. For example, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), the main professional group for sleep doctors, condemned the House vote on July 15, 2026. It argues that permanent DST would clash with the body’s internal clock and put children at risk on dark winter mornings. Instead, the AASM backs a bill for permanent standard time.
| Option | What happens | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Keep switching (current law) | Clocks change in March and November | In effect |
| Permanent daylight saving time | Summer time all year; darker winter mornings | Passed House July 2026; stalled in Senate |
| Permanent standard time | Winter time all year; earlier summer sunsets | Allowed for states now (Hawaii, Arizona) |
Watch out. Social posts claiming “this is the last time change” are not accurate right now. Until a bill passes both chambers and is signed, the November 1, 2026, and March 14, 2027, changes go ahead as scheduled.
How Do You Adjust to the Time Change?
The easiest way to adjust to the time change is to shift your sleep schedule gradually and protect your sleep for the week after. The fall change is usually gentler than spring, but it can still leave you waking too early.
According to the AASM health advisory on daylight saving time, sleep disruption from a time change lasts about five to seven days. It also notes that people who are already short on sleep feel it most.
Before the change
Plan ahead two to three days so the switch feels smaller.
- Shift gradually: The AASM suggests moving bed and wake times over the two to three days before the change.
- Aim for seven hours: Adults should get at least seven hours a night before and after the switch.
- Reset clocks Saturday night: Change manual clocks before bed so Sunday morning is not confusing.
After the change
Use the first week to lock in your new rhythm.
- Keep a steady schedule: The CDC recommends going to bed and getting up at the same time every day.
- Get morning light: Daylight early in the day helps your body clock settle, especially since evenings get dark sooner.
- Limit late caffeine and alcohol: The CDC advises avoiding caffeine in the afternoon and alcohol before bed.
- Drive carefully: The AASM urges extra caution with tasks that need full alertness for at least seven days after a change.
How much sleep do you need?
Sleep needs vary with age. The CDC lists these daily targets:
| Age group | Recommended sleep per day |
|---|---|
| School age (6 to 12 years) | 9 to 12 hours |
| Teens (13 to 17 years) | 8 to 10 hours |
| Adults (18 to 60 years) | 7 or more hours |
| Adults (61 to 64 years) | 7 to 9 hours |
| Adults (65 and older) | 7 to 8 hours |
For more habits that help, read our guide on how to sleep better. Also, if darker evenings leave you sluggish, a steady calm morning routine can help you start the day with more energy.
When Do Clocks Change in the UK and Canada?
The UK changes clocks a week earlier than the U.S. this fall, on Sunday, October 25, 2026. Meanwhile, much of Canada changes on the same Sundays as the U.S., though not every province does.
According to GOV.UK, British clocks go back on October 25, 2026, then go forward on March 28, 2027, and back again on October 31, 2027. Because the U.S. and UK switch on different weekends, the time gap between them is one hour shorter than usual for about a week in late October and for a few weeks in March.
| Country | Fall 2026 change | Spring 2027 change |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Sunday, November 1 | Sunday, March 14 |
| United Kingdom | Sunday, October 25 | Sunday, March 28 |
In Canada, time rules are set by each province and territory. For example, most of Saskatchewan and all of Yukon do not change their clocks. So if you live in or travel to Canada, check the local provincial rules before November 1.
Pro tip. If you work with colleagues in London, Dublin or other places that switch earlier, put a reminder in your calendar for the week of October 26. That way, recurring calls do not show up an hour off.
Our verdict
Daylight saving time 2026 ends exactly as scheduled: set your clocks back one hour at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 1, and enjoy the extra hour of sleep. Despite the July House vote, the Sunshine Protection Act has not cleared the Senate, so plan on springing forward again on March 14, 2027.
Above all, use the extra hour wisely. Keep your wake-up time steady, get morning light, and give yourself about a week to fully adjust.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does daylight saving time end in 2026?
Daylight saving time ends on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 2:00 a.m. local time. At that moment, clocks fall back one hour to 1:00 a.m., so the 1 a.m. hour happens twice. Most phones and computers change automatically, but you should set ovens, car clocks and older wall clocks back by hand before bed on Saturday night.
Do we gain or lose an hour in November?
You gain an hour in November. Because clocks fall back from 2:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. on November 1, 2026, the night is one hour longer. As a result, mornings get lighter sooner on the clock, while sunset arrives about an hour earlier, which is why evenings suddenly feel darker in early November.
When does daylight saving time start in 2027?
Daylight saving time starts again on Sunday, March 14, 2027, at 2:00 a.m. local time, when clocks spring forward to 3:00 a.m. That follows the federal rule of the second Sunday in March. Unless Congress changes the law before then, it will run until Sunday, November 7, 2027.
Is daylight saving time ending permanently?
No, not yet. The House passed the Sunshine Protection Act on July 14, 2026, which would make daylight saving time permanent. However, the Senate has not taken it up, so it is not law. Therefore, the clocks still fall back on November 1, 2026, and spring forward again on March 14, 2027.
Which states do not change their clocks?
Hawaii and most of Arizona stay on standard time all year, so they do not change clocks. The Navajo Nation in Arizona is the exception and does observe daylight saving time. In addition, the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands do not observe it.
Will my phone change the time automatically?
Yes, in most cases. Smartphones, computers and many smart devices update on their own as long as automatic time and time zone settings are turned on. However, microwaves, ovens, car dashboards and basic wall clocks usually need a manual change. NIST also warns that some older auto-set clocks still follow pre-2007 rules and may switch on the wrong date.
