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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

<span>Mike C</span> Sat, 03/26/2022 - 11:30
I do not like daylight saving time and never have. We definitely need to stay on standard time.
<span>Debi</span> Wed, 03/16/2022 - 08:50
Highly in favour of throwing out the time change. Keep time as is now, as of Mar 13/22. Changing the time has only caused problems. Sleep deprivation. Car accidents. Adjustments for children & pets. Archaic practice.
<span>Lonnie</span> Thu, 03/17/2022 - 00:14
Daylight saving time is not the problem, the problem is extended daylight saving time. I remember when I was younger, I believe they use to moved time up around the middle of April or later. They always went back to standard time always before October 31. They need to try that, for maybe 2 years, and see don't people body adjust to it better. Whoever decided to EXTEND and get the extra month every year is the one that created the extra health risk. I wanted to write the President and Congress about this, but maybe someone here will read this and speak to somebody about trying this. Thank-You very much for your ear on this subject. Lonnie
<span>Giddy Goodwin</span> Sun, 03/20/2022 - 09:13
I noticed this year that I had to get used to waking up in the dark for work for a couple weeks before the time changed and then all of a sudden was not so dark in the morning for a couple weeks and then it was dark again in the morning approaching Christmas. In the spring it seemed like it was getting lighter gradually earlier and then today I wake up and it’s so dark out and I look at the clock in at 6:47 AM! It does seem like it’s extended in a strange way.
<span>Shaun</span> Tue, 03/15/2022 - 18:40
The clock is set RIGHT as it is now... We need to get rid of having to set the clock back 1hr.. That is just dumb!! Keep the clock as it now!!!!
<span>Karen Michelle…</span> Mon, 03/14/2022 - 11:55
I am in favor for the time staying the same year round. Understandably, the purpose for which it was created was made and proven effective, but that era had ended as the change should. I have not adjusted well to it and the older I have gotten the worse it has gotten for me.
<span>Jonell Grover</span> Sun, 03/13/2022 - 18:18
I wish they would keep it on Daylight saving time. I think it is to hard on people trying to readjust. And as far as farmers it hasn’t help them to change twice a year. I believe people can do more outside and it does save some on energy.
<span>Beth</span> Sun, 03/13/2022 - 17:07
I truly wish that the US just stayed on Standard time. Longer daylight in the heat of the summer doesn't do me much good. It is too hot for my dogs until close to midnight. In the early morning I can walk the dogs, work in the garden and not worry about if I have to work late.
<span>Alan-A-Dale</span> Thu, 03/17/2022 - 04:05
The problem is not some ridiculous law messing with standard time (GMT for me) but our willingness to play along - In summer I get up when it's light, mid-Summertime it's hours before setting off to work and I go to bed when tired! The clock dictates my working hours, not my leisure time. Walking dogs at midnight? so what! you chose the problem so grab a nap earlier and walk at midnight or dump the mutts.
<span>Gregory P Koze…</span> Sun, 03/13/2022 - 16:49
I'm all for D.S.T. . I like using daylight more efficiently and late summer evenings . I think it helps coordinate activities to when the sun is shining . I believe the people that are angry about it are people that get upset about a lot of petty subjects , especially if the government wants them to be pro or con on a subject . It seems like some people are always venting wether they have a serious reason or not . There are people whose lives are affected negatively during the relatively short adjustment period . All I can say is , you can choose wether to make some or most people content most of the time , you just can't make all people content all the time .