Seasons · 5 min read

When Does Daylight Saving Time End in 2026?

By Emma Clarke · September 30, 2026

Not everyone loses an hour of evening light on the same day. In 2026, the UK and Europe turn their clocks back a full week before the United States does, creating an unusual stretch where the usual time difference between London and New York briefly shifts.

When do the clocks go back in 2026?

In the United Kingdom and the European Union, clocks go back one hour at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 25, 2026, marking the end of British Summer Time and Central European Summer Time. In the United States and Canada, Daylight Saving Time ends a week later, at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 1, 2026, when clocks "fall back" to 1:00 a.m. Both changes mean the same thing in practice: sunrise and sunset both shift an hour earlier on the clock, so mornings get lighter and evenings get darker, all at once.

Why is there a one-week gap between the US and Europe?

The dates are set independently by different authorities: the EU and UK end summer time on the last Sunday of October, while the US and Canada wait until the first Sunday of November, a rule set by US federal law. Because the two systems don't share a single rule, the gap between them shifts slightly from year to year, and in 2026 it lands on a full week. During that week, from October 25 to November 1, the standard time difference between, say, London and New York is one hour smaller than usual, and Amsterdam and Chicago briefly sit one hour closer together than they normally would in winter. Anyone scheduling international calls, flights or meetings in that window is worth double-checking the local time rather than assuming the usual offset.

What the clock change means for your weather routine

The clock itself doesn't change the amount of daylight in a day, only which clock-hour it falls in. After the change, whichever region you're in, sunset moves about an hour earlier on the clock, so a commute or school run that used to happen in daylight can suddenly happen after dark. Combined with the natural shortening of days as autumn moves toward the winter solstice on December 21, the change in late October or early November can feel like a much bigger jump into darkness than the single hour it actually is. Checking the sunset time for your own location, not just the general seasonal trend, is the most reliable way to plan around it; see our sunrise and sunset page for exact times anywhere in the world.

Does every country observe Daylight Saving Time?

No. Most of Asia, Africa and a large part of South America don't use Daylight Saving Time at all, and keep the same clock offset all year round. Countries near the equator have little reason to shift clocks, since day length barely changes through the year there regardless of season. Australia and New Zealand do observe a seasonal clock change, but on the opposite schedule to the Northern Hemisphere, since their summer runs from roughly October to April, meaning their clocks move in the opposite direction at a completely different time of year.

Frequently asked questions

When do clocks go back in the UK and Europe in 2026?
At 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 25, 2026, when British Summer Time and Central European Summer Time end.

When do clocks go back in the US in 2026?
At 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 1, 2026, a week after the UK and Europe.

Why does the US change a week after Europe?
The two systems are set independently: EU and UK summer time ends on the last Sunday of October, while US Daylight Saving Time ends on the first Sunday of November under US federal law.

Do all countries observe Daylight Saving Time?
No. Most countries near the equator don't change their clocks at all, and the Southern Hemisphere, including Australia and New Zealand, is on the opposite schedule to the Northern Hemisphere.

Check the weather in London or search another place on the locations page.