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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>Roger Scott</span> Fri, 03/10/2017 - 21:16
Spring the clocks forward and then leave them there year round. It is better for everyone and there is not a disruption any longer.
<span>John Hulse</span> Wed, 10/18/2017 - 19:44
Year-round DST doesn't work. We tried it in the winter of 1973-74 because of the "energy crisis", and it was a disaster. It was still dark at 8 a.m., kids were getting hit by cars while waiting for school buses or walking to school, and everybody simply hated it. Also, any energy that was saved by the extended daylight in the early evening was used during the darkness of the morning.
<span>Ss</span> Fri, 03/10/2017 - 15:12
Worst time of the year! I get up for work just after 3a.m, so I always lose even more precious sleep! !
<span>Peter Cohen</span> Wed, 10/25/2017 - 09:30
Giving up an hour and then having to wake up earlier for 8 months feels wrong. As though some one borrowed something very precious and didn’t return it and when they finally did give it back they say they will need it again in 4 months!? How is that supposed to make US feel? We are living in an age where starlight doesn’t matter because it doesn’t make anyone any money. Corporate America sells fear to manipulate and control the working poor. They have people so worried about thieves in the night that all they worry about is LIGHT! They don’t see that they we are all of US being robbed every morning of an hour of sleep and every night of spiritual starlight. I strongly suggest that if you want to save money so desperately, turn off all the street lamps and other unnecessary electrical lights/appliances so we can have starlight. CANCEL DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME so that we can get our much needed sleep without feeling highjacked each morning! Do away with light pollution and get our stars back.
<span>Brenda Ahsan</span> Sun, 03/12/2017 - 18:56
NOT FOR EVERYONE,SPEAK FOR YOURSELF,I HATE ALL THAT DAYLIGHT, AND SUN AND MORE HEAT UNTIL 9;30 PM !!!! i get so depressed and very angry,this time of year,i hate being hot,and my air having to run xtra hard and long all summer and summer last 4eveeer,it is not fair !!!! as it is we barely get any winter anyway,to cool off and enjoy the early dark months :'(
<span>Lynda Bathory</span> Fri, 03/10/2017 - 10:30
Great article on the origins and implementation. DST is a ridiculous and antiquated concept. In our 24 hour society, it no longer makes any sense. "Time" to repeal this silliness. I am happy to be in Arizona where we get by just fine without it. The cows have it right!
<span>Rod Alton</span> Fri, 03/10/2017 - 07:26
We have about 4 more weeks of Winter in Canada. We are just starting to getting up in the light each A.M. and now we are forced to get up in the dark once more for the next two to three weeks. It doesn't need to be so early. Mid-April would be early enough and better for us. Who do we see about changing this problem? No one knows who is in charge of this disgusting problem. Sometimes the face of government can't be reached and people develop more hatred of government when they have no accountability or ability to affect change. Have you noticed how many of your readers are unhappy with DST and have no ability to affect change? Again, who can make the change?
<span>Tami Dayton</span> Fri, 03/10/2017 - 00:01
We were the first ones on the bus didn't matter what time we were on it was always dark when we got on and we didn't care. Trust me we were not there saying we wish it was light out js. Lighter in the evening is what we wanted so we could play more and get things done. I vote to leave it on daylight saving time. .
<span>Marlie</span> Thu, 03/09/2017 - 17:27
It already is getting light out earlier in the morning, and staying light out later in the early evening. And this would continue. I don't know why, they can't just leave the time the way it is. I don't like it being light outside in Summer until 9pm!- Not necessary, and young children don't want to go to bed, when the sun is still out,
<span>Betty Smith</span> Wed, 03/08/2017 - 18:06
Why not do it tear round now or just stop, It drives me nuts! Anybody else?