Daylight saving time 2026: Here’s when clocks spring forward
In just a few weeks, many Americans will partake in the semi-annual tradition of switching clocks and "spring ahead" for daylight saving time 2026.
This year, DST will begin Sunday, March 8, at 2 a.m.
At that time, clocks will "spring forward" one hour to 3 a.m.
Though participants lose an hour of sleep that night, it also means they gain an extra hour of daylight in the evening — a welcome change for many.
DST will end Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026 when clocks "fall back" an hour from 3 a.m. to 2 a.m., marking the beginning of standard time 2026, sometimes called " winter time ."
DST lasts for 65% of the year at 238 days, according to National Institute of Standards and Technology , compared to standard time which only accounts for about 35% of the year.
A brief history of DST
Americans have changed clocks back and forth for over a century, but uniform rules weren't officially enacted until 1966.
The tradition was informally introduced in the United States in 1918 under the term "Fast Time," but the shift ended less than a year later.
In 1942, the concept was reintroduced under President Franklin D. Roosevelt as "War Time," and held through 1945.
It wasn't until the Uniform Time Act of 1966 was passed that America would establish a nationwide daylight saving time schedule.
Time change controversy
Despite its long history, clock changing isn't terribly popular. At least 45 states have considered discontinuing the time shifts or pressed for legislative action to end it.
According to a 2025 Gallup Poll , 54% of survey respondents say they are ready to do away with the practice while 6% are unsure.
Compared to Gallup's 1999 clock-change survey, public support for daylight saving time has plummeted across all demographic groups .
"Most subgroups — by age, political affiliation, income and education — have seen declines in support for DST of 30 percentage points or more, except for low-income Americans, who show a 19-point drop," the analytics company reports.
Survey results show 48% of Americans prefer permanent Standard Time to DST, while 24% responded in favor of permanent DST.
Only 19% voted in favor of switching between the two.
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