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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>Vinsa</span> Wed, 10/28/2015 - 13:09
I would prefer one time, not getting how you would save fuel, as before DST we start our lamps early in morning, when DST starts we start our lamps early in evening so consumption of energy is same, plus it looks awful when u see dark at 5 pm. So go along with nature as cows.
<span>Abe Mikado</span> Wed, 10/28/2015 - 13:08
Just wanted to do a little public service! So this Sunday is when you reset your clocks one hour. And if you ever get confused, just remember this handy little saying: When you trip you fall forward, but when you are surprised, you spring back! That will help you always remember which way to move your clock. Hope this helps.
<span>Voltisart</span> Sun, 11/06/2016 - 02:27
The saying is, "Spring forward, fall back." This time of year, (Fall, even in 2016) we set the clocks back by one hour.
<span>Jack Ares</span> Tue, 10/27/2015 - 22:21
People people people. You do NOT gain a extra hour. It is all in our heads. You can NOT tell the sun to set a extra hour. We are still in a 24 hour clock zone either way. Thanks to Halloween this time still stays till November 1. When we change it back its almost time to re-change it. I don't understand why we need to KEEP a time. Keep Regular TIME!
<span>Fikenhild</span> Tue, 10/27/2015 - 12:48
This coming Sunday, November 1, is that special day we get only once a year—a 25-hour day. Personally, I wish we had more such days because of the advantage of that extra hour, which we can use however we want: an extra hour of sleep, spending time with the family, catching up on undone chores, indulging in our favorite hobby or pastime, or anything else our hearts desire. Imagine how nice it would be if all days lasted 25 hours. Life would definitely be more enjoyable, even if only by a little bit. If we could just figure out how to nudge our trajectory around the sun into a slightly longer orbit, we might be able to do it. This would also solve the problems of global warming as it would also make the earth just a bit cooler than it now is. The North Pole icecap would refreeze, polar bears would once again regain their health and happy hunting, the sea would stop rising, glaciers would stop melting, hurricanes' strength would diminish, Santa Claus wouldn’t have to worry about his elves’ workshop being flooded--all this along with several other related benefits. As things are, however, we get only this one day, so enjoy that extra hour. You won't get another one like it again until this time next year.
<span>Abe Mikado</span> Wed, 10/28/2015 - 13:52
"If we could just figure out how to nudge our trajectory around the sun into a slightly longer orbit..." That would make the YEAR longer. To make a day last 25 hours you would have to slow down the ROTATION.
<span>Voltisart</span> Sun, 11/06/2016 - 02:35
Actually....both are RELATED. While a "nudge" in our orbit wouldn't change the length of days, that longer YEAR would give us more DAYS. Changing only the rotation for longer DAYS would give us less DAYS and a shorter calendar YEAR. Why are we CAPITALIZING like this!? lol Either way, we're all going to live the same actual length of time, give or take a bit. All this time change stress certainly isn't helping that, however.
<span>Trlwnc</span> Tue, 10/27/2015 - 09:09
I am so completely fed up with the stupidity of changing time! If the change would be 30 minutes BETWEEN the two times that are used and then NEVER CHANGED AGAIN!!!!! I could survive it. There is absolutely NO purpose for it anymore! Enough!
<span>Andrew Meagher</span> Mon, 10/26/2015 - 17:00
I see both sides of the coin here. But in reality, our ancestors never worried about changing time. They were usually up and had half their day done when the sun rose and enjoyed bonfires in the evening to gather and rejoice. It is a mechanization of the government to impose its standard on the peoples free will and a way to keep us in line with their (the governments) desires.
<span>Robee</span> Mon, 10/26/2015 - 12:28
We need to evolve as a species and get off the greedy corporate structure tke Mayans knew the real time they had 13 months of the year , 2e are being lied to once again