When do the clocks change in 2026? It depends on your region — the US and Europe switch on different dates. Here are the 2026 daylight saving time (DST) dates and the simple rule for which way to turn your clock.
For the full country-by-country list, see daylight saving time 2026 or the DST reference.
Clock change dates 2026
| Region | Spring forward (DST starts) | Fall back (DST ends) |
|---|---|---|
| United States & Canada | Sun, 8 March 2026 | Sun, 1 November 2026 |
| EU & UK | Sun, 29 March 2026 | Sun, 25 October 2026 |
| Australia (where observed) | ends Sun, 5 April 2026 | starts Sun, 4 October 2026 |
Southern Hemisphere is reversed — clocks go back in autumn (April) and forward in spring (October).
"Spring forward, fall back"
The classic memory aid:
- Spring forward — in spring, clocks move forward 1 hour (you lose an hour of sleep). Daylight saving begins.
- Fall back — in autumn ("fall"), clocks move back 1 hour (you gain an hour). Daylight saving ends and standard time returns.
Why do the US and Europe change on different days?
Both shift on a Sunday (to minimise disruption), but they use different rules:
- US/Canada: second Sunday of March → first Sunday of November.
- EU/UK: last Sunday of March → last Sunday of October.
This means for about three weeks in spring and one week in autumn, the usual time difference between, say, New York and London is temporarily off by an hour — worth knowing when scheduling international calls. Use the time zone converter to be sure.
Does everywhere change the clocks?
No. Many countries don't observe DST at all — including most of Asia, Africa, and places near the equator (where daylight barely changes). Within the US, Hawaii and most of Arizona don't change.
Quick answers
When do the clocks change in 2026? US/Canada: forward 8 March, back 1 November. EU/UK: forward 29 March, back 25 October.
Which way do the clocks go? Spring forward (lose an hour) in spring; fall back (gain an hour) in autumn.
Why do the US and Europe change on different dates? They use different rules — US: March–November; EU/UK: late March–late October.
Do all countries change the clocks? No — much of Asia, Africa and the tropics don't observe daylight saving at all.