Daylight Saving Time 2026 Begins: Key Details About the Clock Change

Daylight Saving Time (DST) for 2026 began early on Sunday, March 8, marking the annual shift in which clocks move forward by one hour. The adjustment, commonly described as “springing forward,” occurs on the second Sunday of March each year. As a result, most Americans lost one hour of sleep overnight but will experience longer daylight hours in the evening during the coming months.

What Daylight Saving Time Means

Daylight Saving Time is designed to shift an hour of daylight from the morning to the evening. By moving clocks ahead, sunsets occur later in the day, allowing people to make greater use of natural light after typical working hours.

For example, prior to the change, sunrise occurred earlier in the morning and sunset happened earlier in the evening. After clocks moved forward, sunrise times became later, while sunset times extended further into the evening. This shift creates brighter evenings, which many people associate with increased outdoor activity and longer daylight hours.

When the Time Change Occurred

In 2026, the transition to Daylight Saving Time took place at 2:00 a.m. local time on Sunday, March 8. At that moment, clocks moved directly from 2:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.

Since 2007, the United States has followed the schedule established by federal law that sets DST to begin on the second Sunday of March and end on the first Sunday of November. Before that change, the time shift began in April for many years.

When Daylight Saving Time Ends

Daylight Saving Time will remain in effect for most of the year before ending on November 1, 2026, when clocks will move back one hour at 2:00 a.m. local time. This adjustment, known as “falling back,” restores standard time and typically results in earlier sunsets and brighter mornings during the winter months.

Overall, Daylight Saving Time will last 238 days in 2026, covering most of the spring, summer, and early fall seasons.