If you searched “did the time change today?” on October 25, the answer for the U.S. is no: daylight saving time ends Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 2:00 a.m. local time, when clocks fall back to 1:00 a.m.

This guide covers the exact dates, who changes clocks and who does not, where the Sunshine Protection Act stands, what the shift does to your sleep, and a simple checklist to get ready.

When Does Daylight Saving Time End in 2026?

Daylight saving time (DST) ends on the first Sunday in November, which is November 1, 2026. At 2:00 a.m. local time, clocks move back one hour to 1:00 a.m., and the U.S. returns to standard time.

What the change means day to day

• You gain one hour of sleep on the night of Saturday, October 31.
• Sunrise and sunset arrive about one hour earlier, so evenings get dark sooner.
• Standard time then runs for roughly four months, through the coldest part of the year.
• Phones, computers and most smart-home devices update on their own. Analog wall clocks, car dashboards, microwaves and ovens need a manual reset.

Under the Uniform Time Act of 1966, DST runs from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November. That rule is why the dates shift slightly each year.

Did the Time Change Today? U.S. vs. Europe

In the United States, no. Today is Sunday, October 25, 2026, and American clocks stay put until next Sunday, November 1.

The confusion is common because Europe changes on a different schedule. The UK and the EU end summer time on the last Sunday of October, so their clocks went back today. That is why searches for “did the time change today” spike on this date.

If you work with colleagues or clients in Europe, expect a one-week gap this week: the time difference between New York and London is 4 hours instead of the usual 5 until November 1.

Why Do We Change the Clocks? A Short History

DST began in the U.S. as a wartime measure. The Library of Congress notes it was first enacted in 1918 to save fuel during World War I. The federal law was repealed in 1919, and for decades cities and states set their own rules, which made schedules chaotic.

The Uniform Time Act of 1966 fixed that by creating one national system. States could opt out of DST entirely, and Hawaii and Arizona later did.

The usual explanations people repeat today are more about lifestyle than fuel:

• More evening daylight in spring and summer for errands, sports and outdoor time.
• Brighter winter mornings once clocks fall back in November.

It also helps to correct a myth: turning clocks back does not take away daylight. It moves an hour of it from the evening to the morning.

Which States and Territories Do Not Change Their Clocks?

Every state except Hawaii and most of Arizona observes DST. Both opted out in the late 1960s after the Uniform Time Act passed. Parts of Arizona within the Navajo Nation do observe DST.

Nineteen states have passed laws to adopt permanent DST, but those laws cannot take effect unless Congress changes federal law. That brings us to the biggest story of 2026.

Sunshine Protection Act: Will the Clock Changes Stop?

Not before November 1. The House passed the Sunshine Protection Act (H.R. 139) on July 14, 2026, by a vote of 308 to 117. The bill is now waiting in the Senate, and no Senate vote had been scheduled as of the latest reports. It would also need a presidential signature.

Where things stand

• House: Passed 308-117 on July 14, 2026, the first time the full House has backed the bill since it was introduced in 2018.
• Senate: Pending. A similar bill passed the Senate by unanimous consent in 2022 but died in the House. In October 2025, Sen. Tom Cotton objected to fast-tracking it.
• White House: President Trump supports the bill and has urged the Senate to vote.
• Opt-out: States could still choose year-round standard time.

The debate in plain terms

Bottom line: unless a law is signed before November 1, plan to turn your clocks back as usual. Check the latest Senate news before the weekend, since the effective date of any new law would be set in the bill.

How the Time Change Affects Your Sleep and Health

Falling back feels like a free hour, but your body clock still has to adjust. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) says the evidence points to health and safety risks tied to the clock shift, including heart attack, stroke, mood disorders and car crashes. Most of that research focuses on the spring switch to DST, when people lose an hour.

The AASM position is notable for what it favors: ending DST in favor of permanent year-round standard time. Its authors say permanent DST is less aligned with human circadian biology and could cause circadian misalignment, though the long-term effects of year-round DST have not been well studied.

Who feels it most

• Shift workers and parents of young children
• Teens, who already run on short sleep
• Commuters driving in the dark after the evening shift
• People prone to seasonal low mood, since evenings get darker sooner

This is general information, not medical advice. If sleep problems or low mood last more than a couple of weeks, talk to a doctor.

How to Get Ready for Fall Back: Step by Step

1. Saturday, October 31, before bed: manually set your oven, microwave, car dashboard and analog clocks back one hour.
2. Keep your usual bedtime. Resist staying up later; your body will wake you about an hour early anyway.
3. Shift gradually in the days before. Move bedtime 10 to 15 minutes later each night if you are sensitive to changes.
4. Get morning light on Sunday. Daylight outdoors helps reset your internal clock.
5. Check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Many fire departments suggest testing them when you change clocks.
6. Plan for earlier dusk. Adjust your evening walk, commute or kids’ activities, and check that headlights and lights on bikes work.
7. Confirm calendar times. Recurring meetings with people in Arizona, Hawaii or Europe can shift by an hour relative to you.

Quick tip for business owners

Add a reminder to your team calendar and double-check scheduled emails, server jobs and shift schedules that run near 1:00 to 2:00 a.m. on November 1, because that hour happens twice.

Daylight Saving Time FAQ

When do the clocks go back in 2026?

On Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 2:00 a.m. local time. Clocks move back to 1:00 a.m.

Did the time change today?

Not in the U.S. as of October 25, 2026. Europe and the UK changed today. U.S. clocks change next Sunday.

Do we gain or lose an hour in November?

You gain an hour. In spring you lose one.

When does daylight saving time start in 2027?

Sunday, March 14, 2027, at 2:00 a.m., when clocks move ahead to 3:00 a.m.

Is daylight saving time going away?

Not yet. The House passed the Sunshine Protection Act on July 14, 2026, but the Senate has not passed it and the president has not signed it. Until that happens, clocks change twice a year.

Which states do not observe daylight saving time?

Hawaii and most of Arizona, plus U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Do phones update automatically?

Yes, on most smartphones, computers and connected devices. Check ovens, microwaves, car clocks and analog clocks by hand.

Conclusion: Set Your Clocks Back on Sunday, November 1

Daylight saving time ends on November 1, 2026, at 2:00 a.m. Unless the Senate and the president act first, and no Senate vote had been scheduled in the latest reports, you will gain an hour, then face earlier sunsets for about four months until DST returns on March 14, 2027.

The bigger debate is just getting started. The House has voted to lock the clock on permanent DST, while sleep specialists argue for permanent standard time. Whichever side wins, the key step for now is simple: prepare for this change.

Don’t miss the change. Set a phone reminder for Saturday night, October 31, bookmark this guide, and share it with a family member or coworker who always forgets. Want a reminder before DST returns in March 2027? Subscribe to our newsletter and we will send one.