Daylight Saving Time 2026 Is Here and Not All of America Is Happy About It

Springing Forward

At 2 a.m. local time on March 8, clocks across most of the United States jumped forward one hour, meaning an hour simply ceased to exist. If you went to bed at midnight and woke up at what felt like 7 a.m., your body was correct that it had only been six hours. That missing hour isn't coming back until November 1, when clocks fall back and we briefly feel like we've been given a gift.

The practical effects of springing forward are immediate. Sunrise and sunset both shift about one hour later than the day before, which means darker mornings for the next several weeks but noticeably longer evenings starting today. If you've been leaving work in the dark, that changes now.

A few things worth knowing about:


• Most smartphones, tablets, and computers update automatically

• Car clocks, microwaves, ovens, and wall clocks usually need to be set manually

• Daylight saving time runs 238 days this year, ending November 1, 2026

• 2026 marks the earliest possible DST start date, which will not repeat until 2032

Which States Don't Change Their Clocks

Not everyone lost an hour over the weekend. Two states and several U.S. territories opt out of daylight saving time entirely and remain on standard time year round.

Hawaii does not observe DST, largely because its location near the equator means daylight hours do not vary enough throughout the year to make the change worthwhile.

Arizona also skips the shift, with one exception. The Navajo Nation, which spans parts of Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico, does observe daylight saving time. That means parts of Arizona effectively operate on different times depending on where you are standing.

The following U.S. territories also do not change their clocks:

• Puerto Rico

• Guam

• American Samoa

• The U.S. Virgin Islands

• The Northern Mariana Islands


The Health Effects Nobody Warns You About

Losing an hour of sleep feels like a minor annoyance. Research suggests it can be slightly more significant than that.

Studies consistently show that the spring time change is harder on the body than the fall shift. When clocks move forward, circadian rhythms are disrupted and sleep schedules are forced to adjust suddenly.

Researchers studying U.S. traffic data have found that fatal car crashes temporarily increase in the days following the spring shift. Some studies have also documented a modest increase in heart attack risk during the first two days after the change, particularly among older adults.

Sleep specialists recommend a few simple adjustments to help your body adapt:

• Go to bed 15 to 20 minutes earlier than usual for several nights


• Spend time outside in morning sunlight to reset your internal clock


• Avoid heavy meals or alcohol late in the evening during the adjustment period


• If possible, ease into early morning commitments during the first few days this week

The good news is that the adjustment period is typically short. Most people feel back to normal within three to five days, which for most of us means by midweek.

Should We Just Get Rid of It? The Debate Is Very Much Alive

Daylight saving time has been controversial almost since it began. The policy was first introduced in 1918 during World War I as an energy conservation measure and was repealed the following year after public backlash.

More than a century later, the debate is still going strong.

Public opinion has shifted significantly in recent years. In 1999, about 73 percent of Americans supported daylight saving time. A more recent Gallup poll found only 40 percent in favor, while 54 percent now support eliminating the practice altogether.

Congress has attempted several times to resolve the issue. The Sunshine Protection Act, which would make daylight saving time permanent, passed the Senate unanimously in 2022 but stalled in the House.

A newer proposal, the Daylight Act of 2026, introduced by Florida Representative Greg Steube, proposes a compromise. Instead of eliminating the time change or making DST permanent, it would move clocks forward 30 minutes permanently and eliminate future shifts.

President Trump has also commented on the issue, describing daylight saving time as a “50/50 issue” with arguments on both sides.

The core disagreement is simple. Permanent standard time gives Americans brighter mornings, which researchers say is healthier for sleep and school schedules. Permanent daylight saving time gives brighter evenings, which businesses and outdoor recreation groups prefer.

Neither side is entirely wrong, which helps explain why this argument has lasted more than a century.

Daylight saving time has been controversial since before most of us were born, and the debate isn't going anywhere fast. In the meantime, the evenings are getting longer, the extra light is genuinely welcome, and your phone has already sorted itself out—just adjust the microwave when you get a chance.

Frequently Asked Questions: Daylight Saving Time 2026

When did daylight saving time start in 2026?

Daylight saving time began at 2 a.m. local time on Sunday, March 8, 2026. Clocks sprang forward one hour, moving from 2 a.m. to 3 a.m. This is the earliest date DST can fall in a given year, landing on the second Sunday in March as required by the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

When do the clocks go back in 2026?

Daylight saving time ends on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 2 a.m. local time. Clocks fall back one hour to 1 a.m., returning most of the U.S. to standard time. Daylight saving time runs for 238 days in 2026.

Do I need to change my phone manually?

No. Most smartphones, tablets, computers, and smart devices update automatically. Devices that need to be changed manually include car clocks, microwaves, ovens, wall clocks, and older alarm clocks.

Which states don't observe daylight saving time?

Hawaii and most of Arizona do not observe daylight saving time and remain on standard time year-round. The Navajo Nation within Arizona does observe DST. U.S. territories including Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands also do not change their clocks.

Why do we have daylight saving time?

Daylight saving time was introduced in the United States in 1918 during World War I as an energy conservation measure, shifting daylight hours to reduce the need for artificial lighting. It was repealed in 1919, reinstated during World War II, standardized nationwide by the Uniform Time Act of 1966, and extended to its current schedule by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Whether it still serves its original purpose is one of the more contested questions in American public policy.

Is daylight saving time being abolished?

Not yet, but the debate is more active than it has been in years. The Sunshine Protection Act, which would make DST permanent, passed the U.S. Senate unanimously in 2022 but stalled in the House. The Daylight Act of 2026, introduced this year, proposes a compromise of a permanent 30-minute shift. As of March 2026, no legislation has passed and the twice-yearly time change remains in effect.

Is it daylight saving time or daylight savings time?

Technically, daylight saving time — no "s" — is the correct term. But daylight savings time is so widely used that it shows up in search engines, news coverage, and casual conversation constantly. Both will get you to the right place.

How long does it take to adjust to the time change?

Most people readjust within three to five days. The spring forward is generally harder on the body than the fall back, because you're losing sleep rather than gaining it. Getting outside in natural morning light as early as possible is the most effective way to help your body clock reset quickly.

Why do some countries not observe daylight saving time?

Countries near the equator typically don't observe DST because their daylight hours don't vary enough across seasons to make the change useful. Countries including Japan, China, India, and most of Africa and Southeast Asia observe no daylight saving time. The European Union voted to abolish DST in 2019 but has not yet implemented the change due to disagreements over which permanent time to adopt.