If you need to know when do the clocks change 2026 for travel, work schedules, or evening photography, the short answer is: in the United States, clocks spring forward on 8 March 2026 and fall back on 1 November 2026. In the United Kingdom, the shift happens on 29 March 2026 and 25 October 2026. The pattern for 2027 is very similar, with specific dates shifting by a day or two based on how weekends fall.

The Fixed Rules That Set the Dates

In the United States and Canada, daylight saving time (DST) begins on the second Sunday of March and ends on the first Sunday of November. The rule was standardised by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Because these Sundays shift by a day or two each year, the exact dates for when do the clocks change 2026 and 2027 are easy to calculate once you know the rule.

For 2026: - Spring forward: Sunday, 8 March 2026 (2:00 AM becomes 3:00 AM) - Fall back: Sunday, 1 November 2026 (2:00 AM becomes 1:00 AM)

For 2027: - Spring forward: Sunday, 14 March 2027 - Fall back: Sunday, 7 November 2027

In the UK and most European countries, clocks change on different Sundays: the last Sunday of March and the last Sunday of October. All EU member states follow this schedule.

For 2026: - Spring forward: Sunday, 29 March 2026 (1:00 AM GMT becomes 2:00 AM BST) - Fall back: Sunday, 25 October 2026 (2:00 AM BST becomes 1:00 AM GMT)

For 2027: - Spring forward: Sunday, 28 March 2027 - Fall back: Sunday, 31 October 2027

Why the Dates Change Each Year

The shifting dates are not arbitrary. The second Sunday of March can fall anywhere from 8 March to 14 March. Similarly, the first Sunday of November ranges from 1 November to 7 November. In the UK, the last Sunday of March falls between 25 March and 31 March, and the last Sunday of October between 25 October and 31 October. This means when do the clocks change 2026 and 2027 will always differ from year to year, but never by more than a week.

The origin of these rules dates to the early 20th century. Germany was the first country to adopt DST nationally in 1916, and many others followed for wartime energy savings. Modern schedules were harmonised in the EU in the 1990s, while the US standardised its current schedule in 2007. The date for the UK is aligned with EU law, though the 2019 European Parliament vote to abolish seasonal clock changes has not yet been implemented.

What Happens to Sunrise and Sunset Times

When the clocks spring forward, we lose an hour of morning daylight but gain an extra hour of evening light. The reverse is true in autumn. This has a direct effect on when you see the sun rise and set. Our detailed post on how DST moves sunrise and sunset explains the astronomical reasoning: the sun’s position in the sky is unchanged by our clock shift, but our civil time shifts relative to solar noon.

For example, in London, the sunset on 7 March 2026 (the day before the spring change) is around 5:50 PM. On 8 March, after the clocks spring forward, sunset jumps to nearly 7:00 PM. This rapid change can disrupt sleep patterns for a few days, as your body clock is still on solar time. You can see the shift in the calendar using our interactive tool at Sunrise.am; our global calendar page lets you compare any date before and after a clock change, and you can see the shift in the calendar by exploring the full annual view.

Observance Around the World

Not every country shifts its clocks. Roughly 70 countries observe DST, mostly in Europe and North America. The United States begins DST on the second Sunday of March, as noted, but two states do not follow it: Arizona (except for the Navajo Nation) and Hawaii. Other US territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands also stay on standard time year-round.

The UK observes British Summer Time from late March to late October. The rest of the UK’s Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories follow similar schedules, though some in the Caribbean or Indian Ocean stay on standard time all year.

Australia and New Zealand use different schedules entirely. Australia’s DST varies by state, running from the first Sunday in October to the first Sunday in April. New Zealand begins on the last Sunday of September and ends on the first Sunday of April. Meanwhile, many countries near the equator, such as those in Africa and Southeast Asia, never change their clocks at all because daylight length varies little across the year.

Will the Clocks Stop Changing?

There have been persistent discussions about ending DST. In the US, the Sunshine Protection Act has passed the Senate twice but stalled in the House. If enacted, it would make DST permanent from November 2023 onward, but that has not happened. In Europe, the 2019 proposal to abolish seasonal changes has not been ratified by all member states, so the current schedule remains in place for 2026 and 2027.

Any change would require new legislation, and the process is slow. For now, the dates are set by existing law, and you can plan on the same pattern for at least the next few years.

How to Remember the Dates

A simple mnemonic is "spring forward, fall back." For the UK, remember the last weekend of March and the last weekend of October. For the US, target the second weekend of March and the first weekend of November. If you travel between continents, be aware that the shifts are usually two or three weeks apart, which can affect flight schedules and call times.

when do the clocks change 2026 is 8 March and 1 November for the US, and 29 March and 25 October for the UK. In 2027, the US dates shift to 14 March and 7 November, while the UK moves to 28 March and 31 October. Mark your calendar now to avoid confusion. The seasonal shifts in daylight are a reliable feature of our year, and knowing the exact dates helps you adjust your routine and enjoy the evening light.