The clocks go back in the United States on Sunday, November 1, 2026. At 2:00 am local time, clocks turn backward one hour to 1:00 am, ending daylight saving time (DST) for the year — the “fall back” change that gives most Americans an extra hour of sleep.
The change applies across the US wherever daylight saving time is observed. Arizona (except the Navajo Nation) and Hawaii do not observe DST and do not change their clocks at all.
What exactly happens on November 1
At 2:00 am local daylight time, clocks are set back to 1:00 am local standard time. That means the hour from 1:00 am to 2:00 am effectively happens twice, and the day is 25 hours long.
The practical effects show up immediately: sunrise and sunset both shift one hour earlier. Mornings get lighter, which helps early commuters and school runs, but evenings get darker sooner — sunset in New York, for example, moves from around 6:00 pm to around 5:00 pm overnight.
Why the date matters this year
November 1, 2026 is also a busy day for other reasons: it is the day of the New York City Marathon, the Mexico City Grand Prix, and the end of the first week of the new month. Anyone travelling or watching live events that Sunday should double-check times, because schedules published before the change use daylight time and schedules after it use standard time.
The same clock change also explains a quirk in the Mexico City Grand Prix times: Friday and Saturday sessions sit two hours behind Eastern time, but Sunday’s race sits only one hour behind, because the US has already fallen back by race time.
How to prepare for the time change
Most phones, computers and smart devices update automatically, but a few things still need a manual check:
Manual clocks: wall clocks, car clocks, microwaves and older alarm clocks need to be set back one hour before bed on Saturday, October 31.
Sleep: the extra hour helps, but going to bed at the usual time on Saturday night still keeps the body clock steady.
Appointments and alarms: check any medication reminders, smart-home routines and scheduled recordings, which can shift with the clock change.
Travel: flight and train times are published in local time, so a Sunday morning departure may now sit an hour closer to sunrise than it looked when booked.
When do the clocks go forward again?
Daylight saving time returns on Sunday, March 14, 2027, when clocks spring forward one hour at 2:00 am. The 2026 DST season ran from March 8 to November 1.
FAQ
When do the clocks go back in 2026? Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 2:00 am local time — clocks go back one hour to 1:00 am.
Do I gain or lose an hour? You gain an hour. The “fall back” change means an extra hour of sleep on Saturday night.
Which states do not change their clocks? Hawaii and most of Arizona do not observe daylight saving time and do not change.
Do my phone and computer update automatically? Yes, in almost all cases — but manual clocks, car clocks and microwaves need to be changed by hand.
Sources
– https://www.timeanddate.com/time/change/@31.28038,-81.55429
– https://www.farmersalmanac.com/daylight-saving-time-change