Daylight Saving Time 2026 in the USA
Daylight Saving Time (DST) in the United States for 2026 begins on Sunday, March 8, at 2:00 AM, when clocks spring forward one hour, and ends on Sunday, November 1, at 2:00 AM, when clocks fall back one hour. This twice-yearly ritual affects most of the country, but some states and territories do not observe DST: Arizona (except the Navajo Nation), Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa. The current DST schedule is governed by the Uniform Time Act of 1966, as amended in 2007 to extend DST by several weeks. Ongoing debate surrounds the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make DST permanent nationwide. For the current time in any US time zone, visit Time.now. For a detailed map of US time zones, see our US Time Zone Map.
| Year | DST Begins (Spring Forward) | DST Ends (Fall Back) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | March 8 | November 1 |
| 2027 | March 14 | November 7 |
Spring Forward, Fall Back: The Rule
The familiar phrase "spring forward, fall back" reminds us to set clocks ahead one hour in spring and back one hour in autumn. In 2026, DST begins at 2:00 AM local time on March 8, when clocks jump to 3:00 AM. DST ends at 2:00 AM on November 1, when clocks revert to 1:00 AM. This shift affects sunrise and sunset times, giving more daylight in the evening during DST. The transition occurs simultaneously across all observing time zones, so at the moment of change, the Eastern Time zone is at 2:00 AM while Central Time is at 1:00 AM, etc. For more on Eastern and Central times, see Eastern Time (ET) and Central Time (CT).
Which States and Territories Skip DST?
Not all US jurisdictions observe DST. Arizona (except the Navajo Nation, which does observe DST) and Hawaii have opted out under the Uniform Time Act. The US territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa also do not observe DST. This means that during DST, Arizona is on Mountain Standard Time (MST) year-round, aligning with Pacific Daylight Time in summer. For a deeper look at Arizona's unique position, read Does Arizona Use DST?. Additionally, the Navajo Nation in Arizona does follow DST, creating a patchwork within the state. Mountain Time (MT) is observed in parts of the region; see our Mountain Time (MT) page for details.
History of DST in the United States
The Uniform Time Act of 1966 standardized DST across the US, though states could exempt themselves. Before that, DST was observed irregularly since World War I. The 2007 Energy Policy Act extended DST by four weeks, moving the start from April to the second Sunday in March and the end from October to the first Sunday in November. This change aimed to save energy, though studies show mixed results. The current schedule has been in place since 2007. For a list of federal holidays in 2026, see US Federal Holidays 2026.
The Sunshine Protection Act Debate
The Sunshine Protection Act, a bipartisan bill, proposes making DST permanent nationwide, eliminating the fall-back change. The US Senate passed it in 2022, but the House did not vote. Proponents argue it would reduce crime, energy use, and health issues from clock changes. Opponents cite safety concerns for children in dark mornings and the need for states to opt in. As of 2026, the act has not become law, so the current DST schedule remains. For readers interested in worldwide time comparisons, TimeRight.Now offers global city times, and CurrentTime.now provides a multi-city world clock view.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Daylight Saving Time start in 2026?
DST starts on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at 2:00 AM local time. Clocks spring forward to 3:00 AM.
When does Daylight Saving Time end in 2026?
DST ends on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 2:00 AM local time. Clocks fall back to 1:00 AM.
Which US states do not observe DST?
Arizona (except the Navajo Nation) and Hawaii do not observe DST. The territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa also do not observe DST.
Why was DST extended in 2007?
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 extended DST by four weeks to save energy. The new schedule began in 2007, moving the start to the second Sunday in March and the end to the first Sunday in November.
What is the Sunshine Protection Act?
The Sunshine Protection Act is a proposed federal law to make DST permanent nationwide, ending the biannual clock changes. It passed the Senate in 2022 but has not been enacted.
Does the Navajo Nation observe DST?
Yes, the Navajo Nation, which extends into Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico, observes DST. This creates a situation where parts of Arizona follow DST while most of the state does not.