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Daylight Saving Time 2026: When Does the Time Change?

daylight saving time scrabble tiles with a traditional black alarm clock set for 2:00
Image Credit:
SIAATH/Shutterstock
Written By: Jess Sullivan Digital Editor

In 2026, Daylight Saving Time starts on Sunday, March 8, when we “spring forward,” and ends on Sunday, November 1, when we “fall back.” The Sun keeps its own schedule, but most of the United States adjusts its clocks twice a year.

We move clocks ahead one hour in spring and back one hour in fall—losing an hour, then gaining it back. Keep the date chart below handy, check which places skip the change, and discover why farmers shouldn’t get the blame!

Daylight Saving Time Dates for 2026

“Spring forward, fall back” is a simple way to remember which direction the clock moves.

Time changeDateWhat happens
Spring forwardSunday, March 8, 2026Clocks move ahead 1 hour; we lose an hour
Fall backSunday, November 1, 2026Clocks move back 1 hour; we gain an hour

The time changes at 2:00 A.M., when most people are asleep. Consider changing your clocks before bed on Saturday, October 31, to avoid confusion in the morning!

When Does Daylight Saving Time Start in 2026?

Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at 2:00 A.M. local time. The clock moves forward to 3:00 A.M., and we lose one hour.

After the change, sunrise and sunset happen about an hour later by the clock. The Sun’s schedule doesn’t change, of course. We just change how our time matches up with daylight.

When Does Daylight Saving Time End in 2026?

Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 2:00 A.M. local time. The clock moves back to 1:00 A.M., and we gain one hour.

After this change, sunrise and sunset are about an hour earlier by the clock. That means brighter mornings and darker evenings.

Learn more about when DST ends in 2026 and the clocks go back. 

When Does Daylight Saving Time Start and End Each Year?

Under current U.S. law, Daylight Saving Time begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November. All times below are local.

  • Daylight Saving Time starts on the second Sunday in March.
  • Daylight Saving Time ends on the first Sunday in November.
YearDaylight Saving Time BeginsDaylight Saving Time Ends
2026Sunday, March 8 at 2:00 A.M.Sunday, November 1 at 2:00 A.M.
2027Sunday, March 14 at 2:00 A.M.Sunday, November 7 at 2:00 A.M.
2028Sunday, March 12 at 2:00 A.M.Sunday, November 5 at 2:00 A.M.
2029Sunday, March 11 at 2:00 A.M.Sunday, November 4 at 2:00 A.M.

Do All States Observe Daylight Saving Time?

No. Most of the United States observes Daylight Saving Time, but Hawaii and most of Arizona do not. One notable exception in Arizona is the Navajo Nation—they do observe Daylight Saving Time.

The U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands also do not observe Daylight Saving Time.

For the latest on proposals to stop changing the clocks, see Will We Ever Stop Changing the Clocks? The Fight Over DST.

Why Do We Have Daylight Saving Time?

Daylight Saving Time changes how our daily schedules line up with the Sun, so we can use seasonal daylight differently throughout the year.

The United States started using Daylight Saving Time in 1918 during World War I to help reduce the use of electricity.

The Uniform Time Act of 1966 set a national schedule for Daylight Saving Time. Congress changed the dates again in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Since 2007, Daylight Saving Time has started on the second Sunday in March and ended on the first Sunday in November.

And let’s debunk a common myth: Daylight Saving Time wasn’t created for farmers! In fact, many farmers opposed it when it was introduced—their work followed the Sun, while markets and transportation followed the clock.

Did you know? Benjamin Franklin, the father of the modern almanac, wrote a satirical essay in 1784 about how rising with the sun could help save money on candles.

Is It “Daylight Saving” or “Daylight Savings” Time?

Daylight Saving Time is the correct term. There’s no “s” at the end of “Saving.”

Still, lots of people say “Daylight Savings Time” in everyday conversation, so you’re not alone if you do!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Do we gain or lose an hour during Daylight Saving Time?
    When Daylight Saving Time starts in spring, we set the clocks forward and lose an hour. When it ends in fall, we set the clocks back and gain an hour.
  • What time do the clocks change?
    Clocks change at 2:00 A.M. local time in most of the United States, a time when few people are working, traveling, or doing business. 
  • Will my phone change automatically for Daylight Saving Time?
    Most smartphones, computers, and other devices that are connected to the internet update themselves if you have them set to update date, time, and time zone automatically.
    You might still need to change the time by hand on things like appliances, cars, or wall clocks.
  • Does Canada change clocks on the same day as the United States?

    Some parts of Canada still change their clocks on the same schedule as the United States. However, provinces and territories set their own time rules, and several of them stopped changing clocks in 2026.

    British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, and the Northwest Territories will not turn their clocks back on November 1, 2026. Yukon and Saskatchewan also use one time year-round.

    Other parts of Canada, including most of Ontario and Quebec and the Atlantic provinces, continue to observe seasonal time changes.

Calendar
Sources
  1. U.S. Navy Office — Daylight Saving Time
  2. U.S. Department of Transportation — Daylight Saving Time
  3. U.S. Library of Congress — Daylight Saving Time (DST)
  4. U.S. Department of Transportation — Uniform Time
  5. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) — Daylight Saving Time Rules

About The Author

Jess Sullivan

Jess Sullivan

Digital Editor

As Digital Editor of The Old Farmer’s Almanac, Jess is dedicated to bringing readers content that is accurate, clear, useful, and engaging. She has years of experience crafting written communications ...

Read more from Jess Sullivan

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Comments

<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Tue, 09/05/2023 - 10:04

Thank you for bringing up this very important point, Alex!

 <span>Sleep The Light Away</span> Sun, 04/09/2023 - 05:03
To please those who oppose permanent daylight saving time. Let's do this. On the second Sunday of March change all schedules, church, business, schools, etc. ahead one hour. For example a business that opens and 8:00 AM and closes at 5:00 PM standard time will open at 7:00 AM standard time and close at 4:00 PM standard time. Then on the first Sunday of November they will revert to opening at 8:00 AM and closing at 5:00 PM.
<span>Dianne</span> Thu, 03/16/2023 - 17:02
I want to change my clock from. AM to. P Mand can’t get any help ,
<span>Stephanie H</span> Mon, 03/13/2023 - 16:46
This article is forgetting congress unanimously passed The Sunshine Pact in March 2022, making this past weekend (March 12, 2023) the last time change. We don’t ‘fall back’ this fall. I hope the author sees this.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Thu, 03/16/2023 - 09:07

Unfortunately, that bill only made it through the Senate. It stalled in the House in late 2022 and will need to be reintroduced and voted on again. So, for now, we are still set to "fall back" in November 2023.

 <span>Anna</span> Wed, 03/15/2023 - 08:55
I was disappointed to learn that the Congress in 2022 had voted to permanently keep DSL. I dislike DSL. While DSL promotes more wake hours in the evening, families need more sleep and every day children struggle to wake up in the morning. Families need more sleep. Let's cancel DSL!
<span>Vishi Srinivasan</span> Sat, 11/04/2023 - 23:21
I agree 100%. I hate DSL and want standard time so badly like they do in AZ and HI. DSL screws up our health, body, mind and energy. Families and children and adults need more sleep to keep our lives longer, healthier and safer. This is why congress is delaying it anna. Please eliminate DSL for good congress
<span>Lyndi</span> Mon, 03/13/2023 - 18:23
I tried to find where it passed the House and was signed by the President, but couldn't. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/623/all-info It appears to have stalled on March 2022. Can you provide a link to the law?
<span>Sincerely</span> Sun, 03/12/2023 - 10:25
The early bird catches the worm. An hour later. I do not adjust well to DST. Probably because all the devices change themselves and I’m not prepared to lose an hour of sleep. I live in the Rocky Mountains and now it will be colder and dark when I leave for work in the morning. Booooo!
<span>David Wilkerson</span> Sat, 03/11/2023 - 18:23
We the people In the United States of American vote to have it change 4 yrs ago to standard time . I fill you and the govement and all those in the house and other people in the govement do not have the right to keep it day ight saving time when we voted out and it passed. Just because it benefits everyone on the govement. You do not have the right to keep it that way at all. You know that the laws have change since world war 2 and so did the govement. So do not give use that bull that it is the law from world war 2 , is the reason you have not change and once the people voted it in it becomes the people law and you have to change it. You should of change it four yrs ago and not wait this long to do something about it Comment