Daylight Saving Time 2026: Dates for USA, UK, EU & Australia
Published on June 5, 2026
"Spring forward, fall back." Every year, millions of people adjust their clocks for Daylight Saving Time (DST). But the dates and rules vary by country, leading to confusion. This guide provides the definitive dates for the 2026 DST changes in major regions so you can be prepared.
What is Daylight Saving Time?
Daylight Saving Time is the practice of advancing clocks during warmer months so that darkness falls at a later clock time. The goal is to make better use of natural daylight and conserve energy. When DST begins, clocks are moved forward one hour. When it ends, they are set back one hour.
DST Dates for 2026
Here are the start and end dates for major regions observing DST in 2026.
| Region | DST Starts (Clocks Go Forward) | DST Ends (Clocks Go Back) |
|---|---|---|
| USA & Canada | Sunday, March 8, 2026 | Sunday, November 1, 2026 |
| UK & European Union | Sunday, March 29, 2026 | Sunday, October 25, 2026 |
| Australia (NSW, VIC, SA, TAS, ACT) | Sunday, October 4, 2026 | Sunday, April 5, 2026 |
| New Zealand | Sunday, September 27, 2026 | Sunday, April 5, 2026 |
Note: Not all states or regions in these areas observe DST (e.g., Arizona in the US, Queensland in Australia).
USA & Canada
In the United States and Canada, DST starts on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November. In 2026, clocks will spring forward one hour at 2:00 AM on March 8th and fall back one hour at 2:00 AM on November 1st.
United Kingdom & European Union
The UK and the EU follow a harmonized schedule. DST starts on the last Sunday in March and ends on the last Sunday in October. In 2026, clocks will move forward at 1:00 AM UTC on March 29th and back at 1:00 AM UTC on October 25th.
Australia & New Zealand
In Australia and New Zealand, DST is in effect during the Southern Hemisphere's summer. Clocks will fall back on Sunday, April 5, 2026, to end the 2025-2026 DST period. They will spring forward again on Sunday, October 4, 2026 (September 27th for NZ) to begin the 2026-2027 period.
How to Track DST Changes
Keeping track of these changes can be confusing, especially when scheduling international meetings. The best way to stay on top of time changes is to use a reliable world clock that automatically accounts for DST.
Our live world clock and meeting planner always show the correct local time, inclusive of any DST adjustments, so you never have to worry about being an hour early or late.