Daylight saving time (DST) in the United States ends at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, 1 November 2026, when clocks move back to 1:00 a.m. Most people gain an extra hour of sleep, but the evenings get dark about an hour earlier. Here is what you need to know.
When do the clocks change in 2026?
- Clocks go back: Sunday, 1 November 2026, at 2:00 a.m. local time (most people change their clocks before bed on Saturday night).
- Clocks go forward again: Sunday, 14 March 2027, at 2:00 a.m.
Under current US federal law, DST ends on the first Sunday in November. In 2026 that is 1 November, the earliest date it can fall.
Why do clocks change?
The idea behind DST is to shift an hour of daylight from the early morning to the evening during the warmer months. Moving the clocks forward in spring means the sun appears to rise and set later by the clock, giving people more usable daylight after work and school. In autumn the clocks return to standard time so that mornings are brighter during the shortest days of the year.
Which countries observe daylight saving time?
Dozens of countries use some form of DST, mainly in North America, Europe, parts of the Middle East and parts of the southern hemisphere. The dates vary by region:
- United States and Canada: clocks go back on 1 November in 2026 in most areas.
- Europe and the UK: the autumn change already happened on the last Sunday of October (25 October 2026).
- Southern hemisphere: places such as Australia and New Zealand have already moved their clocks forward for their spring and summer.
- No clock changes: most of Arizona and Hawaii in the US, along with many countries in Asia and Africa, stay on the same time all year.
Could the clock changes end?
Congress has taken a step toward permanent daylight saving time. The House of Representatives passed the Sunshine Protection Act in July 2026, but the Senate has not voted on it. Until it becomes law, the November change still goes ahead. Many states have already passed laws to adopt permanent DST if Congress allows it.
How it affects daily life
- Sleep: the extra hour is welcome, but some people take a few days to adjust their body clock, especially children and shift workers.
- Evenings: sunset comes roughly an hour earlier, so the commute home is darker. Drivers should take extra care and cyclists should use lights.
- Mornings: it is brighter at wake-up time, which helps early risers.
- Devices: phones and computers update on their own, but check the clocks on cars, ovens and wall clocks.
Quick tips for the time change
- Set manual clocks back before you go to bed on Saturday.
- Keep your normal bedtime so you can enjoy the extra hour of rest.
- Use the date as a reminder to test smoke alarms and replace batteries.
- Expect darker evenings and plan your trips and exercise accordingly.
Dates are based on current US federal law and may change if Congress passes new legislation.
