Millions of Americans will turn their clocks back overnight as daylight saving time ends across most of the United States on Sunday, November 1, 2026. The change takes place at 2 a.m. local daylight time, when clocks move back to 1 a.m. standard time. The transition marks the end of the 2026 daylight saving period, brings earlier sunsets by the clock and gives residents an additional hour in the overnight schedule.
Clocks fall back at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 1, in areas of the United States that observe daylight saving time. At that moment, the clock moves back to 1 a.m., returning those locations to standard time.
The transition takes place according to local time zones, not at one simultaneous moment across the country. New York and other Eastern Time locations make the change before Central, Mountain and Pacific Time areas reach their own 2 a.m. transition.
The hour between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. occurs twice. This is why people may see the same hour repeated on clocks and electronic schedules during the overnight change.
| Time zone | Clock change on november 1 |
|---|---|
| Eastern Time | 2 a.m. EDT becomes 1 a.m. EST |
| Central Time | 2 a.m. CDT becomes 1 a.m. CST |
| Mountain Time | 2 a.m. MDT becomes 1 a.m. MST |
| Pacific Time | 2 a.m. PDT becomes 1 a.m. PST |
The change follows the federal schedule established under the Uniform Time Act, as amended. The U.S. Naval Observatory lists November 1 as the end of daylight saving time for 2026.
The fall transition creates an extra hour in the overnight clock schedule. When the clock moves from 2 a.m. back to 1 a.m., the hour between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. repeats.
People may use that additional hour to sleep, although it does not guarantee that everyone will get an extra hour of rest. Work schedules, overnight shifts, travel and individual sleep patterns can affect how people experience the change.
The November adjustment is different from the spring transition, when clocks move forward and one hour is removed from the overnight schedule.
Most U.S. states observe daylight saving time and will turn their clocks back on November 1. However, Hawaii and most of Arizona remain on standard time throughout the year.
Several U.S. territories also do not observe daylight saving time.
| State or territory | Observes daykight saving time? |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | No |
| Most of Arizona | No |
| Puerto Rico | No |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | No |
| American Samoa | No |
| Guam | No |
| Northern Mariana Islands | No |
Arizona has an important exception: the Navajo Nation observes daylight saving time, including within its territory in Arizona. Therefore, not every community in the state follows the same clock schedule.
Most other states, including California, Texas, Florida, New York and Illinois, follow the November 1 transition. The Department of Transportation provides information about federal daylight saving time rules and exemptions.
Most smartphones, computers and internet-connected devices should update automatically when their automatic date, time and time-zone settings are enabled.
However, some traditional clocks and household devices may need to be adjusted manually. Before going to bed Saturday night, October 31, check:
If a phone does not show the correct time after the transition, check its automatic date and time settings and confirm that the selected time zone is correct.
After clocks fall back, sunrise and sunset generally occur about one hour earlier by the clock than they did the previous day. This means more daylight in the morning and less in the evening.
The transition does not eliminate an hour of sunlight. It changes how daylight is distributed across the clock schedule.
The earlier sunsets become increasingly noticeable as the Northern Hemisphere moves toward winter. The winter solstice, the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, falls on December 21, 2026.
Sunrise and sunset times vary by city and date. Residents should consult local astronomical data for precise times in their communities.
The debate over permanent daylight saving time remains unresolved. The Sunshine Protection Act of 2025, H.R. 139, proposes making daylight saving time permanent under its provisions.
The House of Representatives passed the measure on July 14, 2026, by a vote of 308 to 117. It was referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation the following day, but it has not become law.
Supporters argue that permanent daylight saving time would provide more evening daylight. Opponents, including medical organizations that favor permanent standard time, warn that darker winter mornings could affect school and work schedules and disrupt the body’s circadian rhythm.
For now, the current federal schedule remains in effect. The November 1 clock change will take place as planned unless Congress enacts a new law.
Daylight saving time is scheduled to return on Sunday, March 14, 2027. At 2 a.m. local standard time, clocks will move forward to 3 a.m.
That spring transition will mark the beginning of the next daylight saving period in participating states. Until then, those locations will remain on standard time.
Yes. In areas that observe daylight saving time, clocks move back from 2 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
The official transition occurs early Sunday morning, November 1. Many people adjust manual clocks before going to bed on Saturday, October 31.
Yes. The clock repeats the hour between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m., creating an additional hour in the overnight schedule.
No. Hawaii and most of Arizona do not observe daylight saving time. The Navajo Nation is an exception within Arizona. Several U.S. territories also remain on standard time year-round.
Most smartphones and connected devices update automatically if automatic date, time and time-zone settings are enabled. Some older clocks, car displays and appliances may need manual adjustment.
The next scheduled start of daylight saving time is Sunday, March 14, 2027. At 2 a.m. local standard time, clocks will move forward to 3 a.m.
Contenido GEC