Daylight Saving Time 2026: When do clocks fall back?
Daylight Saving Time ends Nov. 1, when most clocks fall back one hour. Here’s when the time changes again in 2027 and what could happen with the Sunshine Protection Act.
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Autumn has arrived, daylight is fading earlier in the evening and another seasonal milestone is approaching: the changing of the clocks.
The change means sunset will suddenly arrive about an hour earlier, while sunrise will also shift earlier in the morning.
When does daylight saving time end in 2026?
Daylight saving time officially ends on Sunday, Nov. 1, when clocks fall back from 2 a.m. to 1 a.m., giving most people across the United States an extra hour overnight.
Many smartphones, computers and other internet-connected devices adjust automatically, although traditional clocks, watches and some appliances may need to be changed manually.
Ian Roders fastens the hands to a clock at Electric Time Company, Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Medfield, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Not everyone in the U.S. changes their clocks. Hawaii and most of Arizona remain on standard time throughout the year, although the Navajo Nation in Arizona is an exception and does observe the time change.
Changing the clocks can also serve as a reminder to tackle seasonal chores around the home, including checking smoke detector batteries, replacing HVAC filters and preparing emergency supplies for colder weather.
When does daylight saving time start in 2027?
Under the current schedule, daylight saving time will return on Sunday, March 14, 2027, when clocks spring forward one hour at 2 a.m.
Federal rules call for daylight saving time to begin on the second Sunday of March and end on the first Sunday of November.
Could daylight saving time become permanent?
The twice-a-year clock change could eventually come to an end, although no change to the law will affect the upcoming switch back to standard time in November.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Sunshine Protection Act on July 14, 2026. The bill was then sent to the Senate and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. As of September 2026, it has not passed the Senate or become law.
If Standard Time is made permanent year-round, summer sunrises will occur before 5 a.m. for most of the U.S., with summer sunsets happening before 8 p.m.
If enacted, the Sunshine Protection Act would make daylight saving time permanent year-round for most of the country, eliminating the practice of turning clocks forward in March and backward in November. Areas that currently remain on standard time throughout the year would still have an exemption under the legislation.
Until any legislation completes the process and becomes federal law, the existing schedule remains in place. For most people, that means turning the clocks back one hour on Nov. 1.
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