Did the time change last night? When do clocks fall back in 2026? Here's everything about the daylight saving time

Americans will be getting an extra hour's sleep very soon as daylight saving time comes to an end in 2026. The clock change takes place in the early hours of Sunday 1st November, bringing us back to standard time. But the extra sleep comes at a cost. Mornings will get brighter earlier and darkness will come earlier in the afternoon and evening. Another push in Washington to get rid of the biannual clock changes is still not going to stop the well-worn fall back.

When do the clocks go back in 2026?

Daylight saving time ends at 2am local time on the 1st of November. The clocks then go back one hour to 1am, giving most of us an extra hour's sleep. The change sees the end of daylight saving time until March 14 2027 when the clocks will move forward again.


Most smartphones, computers and internet connected devices will update automatically. You'll need to check the clocks on the appliances though (i.e. the oven, the kettle etc), the car dashboard and your old school wristwatch as these will need to be set manually.

The change also has an effect on everyday life. With sunset coming earlier on the clock, those of us going home from work or school in the evening will be spending more of the evening in darkness.

Why does daylight saving time still exist?

The US is still on the current schedule (second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November in most states). Lawmakers have made another attempt to get rid of the practice. In July the House passed the Sunshine Protection Act 308-117. The bill would make daylight saving time permanent across the majority of the country.

The bill is still stalled in the Senate so the November clock change will go ahead as planned. Hawaii and most of Arizona don't observe daylight saving time. A number of the US territories also stick to standard time all year.

How does the clock change affect sleep?

The autumn change may give you an extra hour's sleep but the change in daylight will still have an effect on people's routines. The body's internal clock (the circadian rhythm) is set by light and dark. Morning light helps to keep it on track and bright light in the late evening can actually delay the body's natural sleep-wake signals. Health organisations (including the AMA and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine) have backed the idea of keeping standard time year round as it's argued to be more in line with natural daylight.

One simple way to adjust is to just spend some time out in the fresh air in the morning. Natural sunlight will help the body to get used to the new schedule. The information is taken from The New York Post, The AP and Detroit News.