When Do Clocks Go Back in 2026? Fall Daylight Saving Dates
Quick answer: In the United States, clocks fall back on Sunday, November 1, 2026 — at 2:00 AM daylight time, clocks turn back to 1:00 AM standard time. In the UK and Europe, the change happens one week earlier, on Sunday, October 25, 2026. Every date and time on this page is computed from the IANA time zone database, not hand-typed.
The next US clock change is in 13 days. Below are the exact local change times for every US time zone plus Europe — all computed at build time from the official IANA time zone database. See also the daylight saving overview, the full 2026 transition table, and our in-depth guide DST Ends Nov 1, 2026: Clocks Fall Back.
United States: November 1, 2026
All four continental US time zones fall back on the same night — Sunday, November 1, 2026:
| Time zone | Clocks go from | To |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern | 1:59 AM EDT | 1:00 AM EST |
| Central | 1:59 AM CDT | 1:00 AM CST |
| Mountain | 1:59 AM MDT | 1:00 AM MST |
| Pacific | 1:59 AM PDT | 1:00 AM PST |
Europe and the UK: October 25, 2026
Europe changes one week before the US, on Sunday, October 25, 2026:
| Region | Clocks go from | To |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 1:59 AM GMT+1 | 1:00 AM GMT |
| Central Europe (France, Germany, Spain, Italy) | 2:59 AM GMT+2 | 2:00 AM GMT+1 |
Southern hemisphere: spring, not autumn
In the Southern Hemisphere, October is spring — so clocks go forward, not back. In Sydney, Australia, clocks spring forward on Sunday, October 4, 2026: at 1:59 AM GMT+10, clocks jump to 3:00 AM GMT+11. That Sunday is only 23 hours long.
What actually happens when clocks go back?
At the changeover moment, the local time jumps backward by one hour. The hour between 1:00 AM and 2:00 AM happens twice — first in daylight time, then again in standard time. That Sunday becomes a 25-hour day. If you have a flight, shift, or event scheduled between 1:00 AM and 2:00 AM that night, check which occurrence it refers to — airlines and hospitals always specify.
Do I need to do anything?
Probably not much. Phones, computers, tablets, and any internet-connected device update automatically from built-in time zone rules. You only need to adjust manual clocks by hand: microwaves, ovens, car dashboards, and analog wall clocks. Set them back one hour before bed on Saturday night and you'll wake up on the new time.
Frequently asked questions
When do clocks go back in the US in 2026?
Clocks in the United States fall back on Sunday, November 1, 2026. At 2:00 AM daylight time, clocks turn back to 1:00 AM standard time — so you gain an extra hour of sleep.
When do clocks go back in Europe and the UK in 2026?
In the UK and Europe, clocks fall back on Sunday, October 25, 2026 — one week before the US. In the UK, 2:00 AM BST becomes 1:00 AM GMT; in Central Europe, 3:00 AM CEST becomes 2:00 AM CET.
Why does the 1 AM hour happen twice?
When clocks fall back, the hour from 1:00 AM to 2:00 AM occurs twice — once in daylight time, once in standard time. This makes that Sunday a 25-hour day. Flight schedules and shift rosters during that hour usually specify which occurrence they mean.
Do I need to change my clocks manually?
Most modern devices — phones, computers, and internet-connected clocks — update automatically using built-in time zone rules. Manual clocks (microwaves, car dashboards, analog wall clocks) need to be set back one hour by hand.
Do all countries change clocks in autumn 2026?
No. Many countries never observe daylight saving — including India, China, Japan, and most of Africa and Southeast Asia. And in the Southern Hemisphere, October is spring: Sydney springs forward (loses an hour) on October 4, 2026.