Daylight Saving Time 2026: When Do Clocks Change in the U.S.?

Daylight saving time (DST) ends in most of the United States on Sunday, November 1, 2026. At 2:00 a.m. local daylight time, clocks move back to 1:00 a.m. local standard time. That is the fall “one hour back” change. Earlier in the year, on Sunday, March 8, 2026, clocks moved forward from 2:00 a.m. standard time to 3:00 a.m. daylight time. These dates are confirmed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

When do clocks change in 2026?

The November change takes place overnight from Saturday, October 31, into Sunday, November 1. If you use an analog clock or an appliance that does not update itself, set it back one hour before going to bed Saturday night or after waking up Sunday. Many connected phones and computers adjust automatically when the correct time zone and automatic time settings are enabled.

What time does daylight saving time end in each U.S. time zone?

2:00 a.m. is a local time, not a single nationwide moment. The switch happens at different UTC times across the country. The following examples show when the November 1 change occurs in cities that observe DST:

These UTC times all fall on November 1, 2026. In the spring, the reverse shift happened at 2:00 a.m. local standard time on March 8; for example, New York moved from EST (UTC−05:00) to EDT (UTC−04:00) at 07:00 UTC. Check the city or county rather than assuming a whole state uses one time zone.

A practical example: a New York–Phoenix meeting

Hypothetical example: Maya schedules a recurring Monday video call for 9:00 a.m. in New York with a colleague in Phoenix, Arizona. This is an illustration, not a real meeting or a reported test.

On Monday, October 26, 2026, New York is on Eastern Daylight Time (EDT, UTC−04:00). Phoenix stays on Mountain Standard Time (MST, UTC−07:00). A 9:00 a.m. New York call is therefore at 6:00 a.m. in Phoenix.

On Monday, November 2, New York has changed to Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC−05:00), while Phoenix remains on MST (UTC−07:00). The same 9:00 a.m. New York call is now at 7:00 a.m. Phoenix. Nothing about the meeting's New York start time changed; the time difference between the two locations changed from three hours to two.

For a recurring cross-country meeting, choose a named time zone such as America/New_York in the calendar rather than typing a fixed “UTC−4” offset year-round. That allows calendar software with current time-zone data to apply seasonal rules. Double-check appointments that fall during the switch itself: on November 1, 1:30 a.m. in New York happens twice—first at 1:30 a.m. EDT (05:30 UTC), then at 1:30 a.m. EST (06:30 UTC).

Which states do not change their clocks?

Most of Arizona and all of Hawaii do not observe daylight saving time. Arizona's Navajo Nation is an important exception: it does observe the seasonal change. The U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands also do not change their clocks for DST. These exceptions are documented by the U.S. Department of Transportation and NIST's local-time FAQ.

If you live in a location without DST, your clock stays put on November 1. However, the time difference between your location and many other U.S. cities will still change, as in the New York–Phoenix example.

How to prepare for the November 1 time change

1. Check automatic time settings. Confirm that your phone, computer, and calendar have the right location or time zone. Avoid manually setting a fixed offset on devices that support named time zones.
2. Update manual clocks. Set back wall clocks, car clocks, microwave displays, and other devices that do not synchronize automatically.
3. Review appointments and travel. Recheck overnight trips, early shifts, international calls, and any activity scheduled around 1:00–2:00 a.m. on November 1.
4. Keep a consistent sleep routine. The clock gives back an hour, but your body may need time to adjust. Maintain a regular bedtime and seek daylight after waking. The CDC's guidance on time changes and sleep explains how changing light exposure can affect your internal clock.

Will the United States stop changing clocks?

As of November 1, 2026, the federal schedule still calls for DST to start on the second Sunday in March and end on the first Sunday in November in participating areas. Proposals to make a different time arrangement permanent have not replaced these nationwide rules. The Department of Transportation oversees the U.S. time-zone and DST framework, and states may exempt themselves from observing DST under federal law. For official time and the current transition notice, consult NIST's official U.S. time service.

When is the next clock change after November 2026?

Under the current federal schedule, areas that observe daylight saving time will spring forward again on Sunday, March 14, 2027, at 2:00 a.m. local standard time, when clocks advance to 3:00 a.m. local daylight time. Until then, the important date to remember is November 1, 2026: clocks go back one hour in most of the United States.