Daylight saving time ends 2026 on Sunday, November 1, and the change is closer than most people think. At 2:00 a.m. local time, clocks in most of the United States fall back one hour to 1:00 a.m., giving you an extra hour of sleep and much earlier sunsets. This guide explains exactly when the switch happens, which places skip it, what devices update on their own, and how to make the transition easier for your household.
Key Takeaways
- Date and time: Daylight saving time ends at 2:00 a.m. local time on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
- Direction: Clocks go back one hour ("fall back"), so 2:00 a.m. becomes 1:00 a.m. and that hour repeats.
- Who skips it: Hawaii, most of Arizona and several U.S. territories stay on standard time all year.
- Next change: Daylight saving time starts again on Sunday, March 14, 2027.
- Quick prep: Check manual clocks, car clocks and appliance timers, and use the weekend to adjust routines.
When Does Daylight Saving Time End in 2026?
According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), daylight saving time in 2026 runs from March 8 at 2:00 a.m. to November 1 at 2:00 a.m. local time. The U.S. Naval Observatory lists the same dates. Because the change is tied to local time, it does not happen everywhere at once. New York falls back first among the contiguous states, and the change then rolls west across Central, Mountain and Pacific time over the following hours.
What "Fall Back" Actually Means
When your local clock is about to reach 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 1, it jumps back to 1:00 a.m. That means the hour between 1:00 and 2:00 a.m. happens twice. As timeanddate.com notes, sunrise and sunset will be about one hour earlier on November 1 than the day before. You get more light in the morning and less in the evening, which is the change most people notice first on their commute home.
Why the First Sunday in November?
The current schedule comes from the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which took effect in 2007. NIST explains that the law moved the start of daylight saving time to the second Sunday in March and the end to the first Sunday in November, extending it by about a month. Daylight saving time now lasts for 238 days, or about 65% of the year. Congress kept the right to go back to the older schedule if the change proved unpopular or did not save much energy.
Which States Do Not Change Their Clocks?
Federal law lets states opt out of daylight saving time and stay on standard time all year. They cannot, however, adopt permanent daylight saving time without action from Congress. Here is who does not change clocks:
- Hawaii stays on Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time all year.
- Arizona stays on Mountain Standard Time, except the Navajo Nation, which does observe daylight saving time.
- U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands do not observe it.
If you work with colleagues or family in these places, the time gap between you will shrink by one hour on November 1. For example, Phoenix is on the same clock time as Los Angeles in summer, but after the switch Phoenix will be one hour ahead of Los Angeles.
Daylight Saving Time 2026 vs. 2027 Dates
| Event | Date | Clock change |
|---|---|---|
| DST began | Sunday, March 8, 2026 | Forward 1 hour at 2:00 a.m. |
| DST ends | Sunday, November 1, 2026 | Back 1 hour at 2:00 a.m. |
| DST begins again | Sunday, March 14, 2027 | Forward 1 hour at 2:00 a.m. |
| DST ends again | Sunday, November 7, 2027 | Back 1 hour at 2:00 a.m. |
The 2027 dates follow the same federal rule: the second Sunday of March and the first Sunday of November. Timeanddate.com confirms the March 14, 2027 start date.
Which Devices Change Automatically?
Most connected devices handle the switch without any help, but plenty of everyday clocks do not. Use this quick checklist on Saturday night or Sunday morning.
Usually Automatic
- Smartphones, tablets and smartwatches set to update time automatically
- Computers connected to the internet with automatic time zone settings on
- Smart speakers, streaming boxes and most smart TVs
- Cable and satellite boxes
Usually Manual
- Car dashboard clocks (some newer models update through GPS or a connected phone)
- Microwaves, ovens and coffee makers
- Wall clocks, alarm clocks and wristwatches without a radio signal
- Thermostats and sprinkler timers that are not connected to Wi-Fi
- Older security cameras and DVRs, whose timestamps may matter later
A simple tip: if your phone's alarm is set for Sunday morning, it will follow the new time. If you use a plain bedside alarm clock, set it back an hour before bed or you will wake up an hour early.
How to Make the Time Change Easier
Falling back is usually considered the easier of the two yearly changes, because you gain an hour instead of losing one. Still, earlier darkness can throw off schedules, especially for kids, pets and anyone who works early or late shifts. These practical steps help.
- Shift routines gradually. In the few days before November 1, move bedtimes, meals and pet feeding times later by 10 to 15 minutes a day so the new schedule feels normal sooner.
- Use the morning light. After the change, mornings are brighter. A short walk outside early in the day is an easy way to reset your routine.
- Plan for darker evenings. Sunset in many U.S. cities will move to around 5 p.m. or earlier. Check bike lights, porch lights and car headlights.
- Do a home safety check. Many fire departments suggest using the time change as a reminder to test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. The U.S. Fire Administration recommends testing smoke alarms monthly.
- Double-check Monday plans. Confirm meeting times with anyone in Arizona, Hawaii or another country, since time gaps change after November 1.
Is Daylight Saving Time Going to Become Permanent?
Every year, the end of daylight saving time brings fresh searches about whether the clock changes will stop. Lawmakers have introduced bills such as the Sunshine Protection Act over several sessions to make daylight saving time permanent. The Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act by unanimous consent on March 15, 2022, but the House never voted on it, so it did not become law, according to Congress.gov. Many state legislatures have also passed measures in favor of permanent daylight saving time, but those laws only take effect if Congress allows it. As of today, the clock change on November 1, 2026 is happening as scheduled, according to NIST and the U.S. Naval Observatory.
If the rules do change in the future, it will be widely reported well ahead of time. For now, plan on falling back this fall and springing forward again in March 2027.
Travel Tips for the Weekend of November 1
If you are flying or taking a train early on Sunday, November 1, read your ticket carefully. Airlines and rail operators publish schedules in local time, so a 1:30 a.m. departure could technically happen twice. Most carriers avoid scheduling departures in that window, but overnight trips may arrive "earlier" than expected on the clock. Remote workers and travelers comparing cities can also use the shorter evening daylight as one factor when planning a winter base; our guide to the best affordable US cities for digital nomads is a good starting point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we gain or lose an hour when daylight saving time ends?
You gain an hour. On Sunday, November 1, 2026, clocks move back from 2:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., so that night is one hour longer.
What time do I change my clock on November 1, 2026?
The official change happens at 2:00 a.m. local time. Most people simply set manual clocks back one hour before going to bed on Saturday night.
Does my phone change time automatically?
Yes, if your phone's date and time setting is set to update automatically. Phones get the correct time from the carrier network or the internet.
Which states don't observe daylight saving time?
Hawaii and most of Arizona do not observe it, along with U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico and Guam. The Navajo Nation in Arizona does observe it.
When does daylight saving time start again?
Daylight saving time begins again on Sunday, March 14, 2027, when clocks spring forward one hour at 2:00 a.m.
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