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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>David D.</span> Sat, 10/10/2015 - 20:53
The days are so short when the time changes that I doubt there is any benefit in changing it. Perhaps a compromise is in order. Why don't we move the clocks back thirty minutes and then just leave them that way.
<span>Kenneth C Hicks</span> Tue, 10/06/2015 - 16:42
Add a survey then send the results to your Representative. 1, one final change to 12 months of DST or ST 2, 30 min. change, then no future changes (permanent) 3, leave the one hour DST and ST change system as is I"ll start with one vote for #2
<span>Mr J</span> Mon, 10/05/2015 - 22:14
So they care about kids getting candy more then kids going to school in the dark! STUPUD.
<span>Sherriew</span> Sun, 10/04/2015 - 19:56
I wish they would just leave it alone. It messes with my sleep. Fall back and leave it that way!!
<span>Afenlason</span> Sun, 10/04/2015 - 05:12
Whoever thinks that you gain more time one way or the other is just fooling themselves. Fall back, and then LEAVE IT THE HECK ALONE!!! If you want more time to do things outside, then plan accordingly. For me personally, I do not function well on DST. My body is completely out of sync until we revert back to standard time. I say get rid of it.
<span>Geri Hill</span> Thu, 10/01/2015 - 18:38
I don't care if they use standard time or daylight savings time, just pick one! I have sleep issues and it doesn't matter if we spring forward or fall back, it still takes weeks for me to adjust. Studies have shown the increase in accidents and loss of work productivity from the time changes. It is time to stop the time changes.
<span>Clm65</span> Thu, 10/01/2015 - 15:10
I really don't see too much of the point in today's time. Instead of getting rid of it altogether, for those who like it, why not just change it by 30 minutes and leave it the heck alone? There are some states who don't do it anyway.
<span>Martha Lynn</span> Thu, 10/01/2015 - 15:08
I hate changing the time but I would never want to keep it at standard time. I would much prefer to have daylight hours later in the day so my kids can actually do things while I'm making dinner such as walk the dog, ride their bikes or any kind of outdoor activity. I say we spring ahead and never fall back. ;)
<span>Emily Lee</span> Thu, 10/01/2015 - 14:49
I would like it very much if we simply left the clocks alone. People's work hours and days have changed so much since this idea took hold. It's silly now, a bit annoying to go out of sync with other places twice a year.
<span>Gcp</span> Thu, 10/01/2015 - 14:16
I abhor the time change and see it as nothing more than a nuisance. It's not necessary in modern times, and it is a a huge headache. If anyone is like me, it takes weeks to readjust to the leap forward. We don't need it, just get rid of it.