Daylight Saving Time 2026
Key DST change dates for major regions (exceptions apply)
Daylight Saving Time (DST) is the practice of advancing clocks during warmer months so that darkness falls at a later clock time. Most regions that observe DST change their clocks by one hour, typically in spring and fall.
DST 2026 by Region
United States & Canada
Clocks Spring Forward
March 8, 2026
Second Sunday of March at 2:00 AM
Clocks Fall Back
November 1, 2026
First Sunday of November at 2:00 AM
Exceptions: Hawaii, most of Arizona (except Navajo Nation), U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, Guam, etc.), Yukon, most of Saskatchewan, and some smaller areas do not observe DST.
European Union & UK
Clocks Spring Forward
March 29, 2026
Last Sunday of March at 01:00 UTC
Clocks Fall Back
October 25, 2026
Last Sunday of October at 01:00 UTC
Local time varies: UK changes at 1am/2am local, CET at 2am/3am, EET at 3am/4am.
Australia (DST States)
Clocks Spring Forward
October 4, 2026
First Sunday of October at 2:00 AM
Clocks Fall Back
April 5, 2026
First Sunday of April at 3:00 AM
Only ACT, NSW, SA, TAS, VIC observe DST. Queensland, Northern Territory, and Western Australia do not.
New Zealand
Clocks Spring Forward
September 27, 2026
Last Sunday of September at 2:00 AM
Clocks Fall Back
April 5, 2026
First Sunday of April at 3:00 AM
Countries That Observe DST
Countries That Do NOT Observe DST
- JapanNo DST--:--
- ChinaNo DST--:--
- IndiaNo DST--:--
- RussiaNo DST--:--
- BrazilAbolished 2019--:--
- Mexico (most areas)Since 2022*--:--
- South KoreaNo DST--:--
- SingaporeNo DST--:--
- ThailandNo DST--:--
- IndonesiaNo DST--:--
- South AfricaNo DST--:--
- United Arab EmiratesNo DST--:--
- Saudi ArabiaNo DST--:--
- ArgentinaNo DST--:--
- IcelandNo DST--:--
* Mexico abolished DST in 2022 for most areas. Baja California and some border municipalities still follow U.S. DST.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do clocks change in 2026?
In the United States and Canada, clocks spring forward on March 8, 2026 and fall back on November 1, 2026. In the European Union, clocks change on March 29, 2026 and October 25, 2026.
Do all countries observe daylight saving time?
No, only about 70 countries observe DST. Most of Asia, Africa, and South America do not change their clocks. Notable countries without DST include Japan, China, India, and Russia.
Why do we have daylight saving time?
DST was originally introduced to save energy by making better use of natural daylight. By moving clocks forward in summer, evenings have more daylight and mornings have less, reducing the need for artificial lighting.
Do clocks go forward or back in spring?
Clocks go forward in spring ("spring forward") and back in fall ("fall back"). When clocks spring forward, you lose an hour of sleep. When they fall back, you gain an hour.