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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>J C Taylor</span> Sun, 10/22/2017 - 13:26
DST is miserable and I suffer for weeks after we switch to it. When working full time, the first month of dodging sleep deprived drivers & dealing with sleep deprived clients while being sleep deprived myself is terrible and now that it has been extended to 8 full months, it makes the standard time more difficult to become accustomed to as well.
<span>Jane</span> Fri, 10/20/2017 - 10:01
Our bodies are designed with natural circadian rhythms. DST creates havoc with that for some, not all people. I am one of them. It really messes me up. Time is arbitrary, but our bodies are programmed to be on a consistent schedule. I think it’s crazy to live on one schefule for 8 months and then suddenly change it only to change again just 4 months later. I would love to get rid of DST. It no longer is needed for the readon was during wartime.There are also some health risks in some people including a higher occurrence of heart attacks on those days that throw the body out of sync.
<span>Dj Hudson</span> Fri, 10/27/2017 - 08:37
You are so right Jane
<span>Patrick</span> Wed, 10/18/2017 - 22:38
My opinion is we should have more daylight time , because of the high crimes today , and because of the many drinkers who can’t see at nite , or even the school children that have to stand outside in the dark waiting on their school buses .. there r a lot of criminals out I. The dark . They should give us as much daylight as possible
<span>Susan P</span> Sun, 10/15/2017 - 10:04
I despise daylight savings time. Always have. In the Spring it forces my day to start long before sunrise and in the evening it stays light too long for my body to be ready to sleep. It has always played havoc with my natural circadian rhythm.
<span>Sunshine</span> Fri, 10/27/2017 - 09:35
I think we have DST just so we ALL have sympathy for shift-changing workers!! Only WE have to endure the awful adjustment 2 times a year rather then every 4 days or so. I think we should make up our mind as a nation and either have the "ahead" all year or "behind" an hour all year! Nature (circadian rhythms included) don't care what a clock says. The only time in our lives when we can live "naturally" is when we retire!#!/! Hurray!
<span>Beth</span> Fri, 10/06/2017 - 18:49
A side from the comments from Monster Man and the world ending, why did DLST begin on Thursday night rather than the usual Saturday night? I'm confused.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 10/09/2017 - 14:45

Hi, Beth: Daylight Saving Time (DST) always starts at 2:00 a.m. on the second Sunday morning in March and ends right before 2:00 a.m. on the first Sunday in November, so I'm afraid that we don't know to what Thursday you are referring--but thanks for asking!

 <span>Ms. Chris A. Shelp</span> Thu, 10/05/2017 - 01:55
I don't like changing the clocks twice a year at all. By the time I'm used to the "Spring Forward" it's time to "Fall Back" again. We should do what the Amish do. They don't change their clocks at all. They have never used DST. Always followed Standard Time.
<span>Monster Man</span> Sun, 09/24/2017 - 08:02
Why don't all you cry babies stop whining, and stop trying to change something that as been around since man can remember. Does it really matter considering that stupid humans are using up all Earth's resources, and making more & more kids, we are over populated now. ARE YOU ALL TO STUPID TO SEE THE SIGNS OF THE WORLD IS ENDING. and don't get me started on the ignorance of the government. GOD IS COMING, ARE YOU READY?