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.

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

October 1, 2026

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 change	Date	What happens
Spring forward	Sunday, March 8, 2026	Clocks move ahead 1 hour; we lose an hour
Fall back	Sunday, November 1, 2026	Clocks 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.

Year	Daylight Saving Time Begins	Daylight Saving Time Ends
2026	Sunday, March 8 at 2:00 A.M.	Sunday, November 1 at 2:00 A.M.
2027	Sunday, March 14 at 2:00 A.M.	Sunday, November 7 at 2:00 A.M.
2028	Sunday, March 12 at 2:00 A.M.	Sunday, November 5 at 2:00 A.M.
2029	Sunday, 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

U.S. Navy Office — Daylight Saving Time
U.S. Department of Transportation — Daylight Saving Time
U.S. Library of Congress — Daylight Saving Time (DST)
U.S. Department of Transportation — Uniform Time
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) — Daylight Saving Time Rules

About The Author

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 ...

Comments

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Don Kivela Sat, 10/31/2020 - 13:10

We should pick one time and leave it. Can we change buy 1/2 hour and leave it ? We get the same amount of daylight no matter what the clock says

Rose Hagood Sat, 10/31/2020 - 11:23

Get Rid of the Time Change. NOW Standard Time would be ideal.

Maxfall Sat, 10/31/2020 - 10:55

I strongly would like the whole country to adopt Standard time. Each state needs to adopt it! Get rid of the so called Daylight Saving Time. It is rubbish.

Lyn Sat, 10/31/2020 - 10:16

Mother Nature doesn't care what time is on our clocks... she has her own schedule and during the Fall and Winter she sleeps in late and goes to bed early. FL politicians say we need DST year round for the tourist to be able to play outside longer. Tourist generally aren't on a strict schedule; they typically stay up late and sleep in late. And it doesn't matter if it is dark outside -- the restaurants and theme parks don't close when it gets dark.