October 31, 2026 — Daylight saving time ends across most of the United States on Sunday, November 1, at 2 a.m. local time, when clocks move back one hour to 1 a.m. The fall time change gives participating areas an extra hour overnight and marks the return to standard time for winter.
For households preparing for the change, the instruction is straightforward: turn manual clocks back one hour before going to bed on Saturday, October 31. Many smartphones and computers will adjust automatically, provided their date, time and time-zone settings are correct.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology confirms the 2026 schedule, stating that daylight saving time runs from March 8 until November 1, with both transitions taking place at 2 a.m. local time.
When do clocks go back across the USA in 2026?
The November adjustment happens at 2 a.m. in each participating area’s own time zone. New York, Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles therefore change their clocks at different moments, even though the local clock reads 2 a.m. at each transition.
Clocks return to 1 a.m., meaning the hour between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. happens twice. Anyone arranging overnight travel, a pickup or a work shift during that period should confirm which occurrence of the hour is intended.
| U.S. time zone | November 1 change |
|---|---|
| Eastern | 2 a.m. EDT becomes 1 a.m. EST |
| Central | 2 a.m. CDT becomes 1 a.m. CST |
| Mountain, where DST is observed | 2 a.m. MDT becomes 1 a.m. MST |
| Pacific | 2 a.m. PDT becomes 1 a.m. PST |
| Most of Alaska | 2 a.m. AKDT becomes 1 a.m. AKST |
| Participating Aleutian Islands | 2 a.m. HDT becomes 1 a.m. HST |
The fall adjustment reverses the March 8 spring-forward clock change, when participating areas moved directly from 2 a.m. to 3 a.m.
After Sunday’s change, sunrise and sunset will appear roughly an hour earlier by the clock. The adjustment does not add or remove sunlight; it changes how daylight aligns with daily schedules. Exact sunrise and sunset times depend on the location.
Which states do not change clocks, and is daylight saving time ending permanently?
Hawaii and most of Arizona do not observe daylight saving time, so residents there will not turn their clocks back on November 1. The Navajo Nation is an exception within Arizona: it observes daylight saving time and follows the seasonal clock changes.
Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands also do not observe daylight saving time.
Despite continuing debate about ending twice-yearly adjustments, the official U.S. schedule still includes the November 1 change. The U.S. Department of Transportation explains that states may exempt themselves from daylight saving time, but cannot independently choose permanent daylight saving time under the current federal framework.
That distinction matters: permanent standard time keeps the winter clock setting throughout the year, while permanent daylight saving time keeps the summer setting. A proposal supporting either approach does not automatically cancel a scheduled clock change.
International time differences also need attention. The UK moved its clocks back on October 25, one week before the United States. Once New York returns to standard time on November 1, London will again be five hours ahead.
Before Sunday morning, check wall clocks, watches, car displays and appliance clocks that may need a manual reset. For flights, trains and appointments, use the local time shown in the latest booking or confirmation.
Under the current calendar, daylight saving time will begin again on Sunday, March 14, 2027, when participating areas move clocks forward from 2 a.m. to 3 a.m.
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