Daylight Saving Time 2026: UK and US Clock Changes

UK clocks go back on 25 October and most US clocks on 1 November. Check time zones, devices and routines before the 2026 clock changes this autumn.

Daylight saving time 2026 brings two important dates for people managing work, travel and family schedules across countries. UK clocks go back on Sunday, 25 October, while most of the United States will change clocks on Sunday, 1 November. India will keep India Standard Time throughout the year, so the time difference between these countries will change.

The practical challenge is not simply remembering to adjust a clock. It is making sure appointments, transport plans, remote meetings and everyday routines still work when countries change their clocks on different dates.

Key Takeaways

• UK clocks go back one hour at 2:00 a.m. on 25 October 2026, returning from British Summer Time to Greenwich Mean Time.
• In most US locations observing daylight saving time, clocks go back one hour at 2:00 a.m. local time on 1 November 2026.
• India observes India Standard Time throughout the year and does not change its clocks for daylight saving time.
• Modern phones and computers can update automatically when the correct time-zone settings and software are available, but some devices still need manual checks.
• Travellers, remote workers and families should review appointments, alarms and transport schedules before each country's clock change.

Daylight Saving Time 2026: What Changes in October and November?

The United Kingdom and the United States follow different schedules for ending daylight saving time, which means the international time difference changes twice over the next two weeks.

According to the UK government's official clock-change calendar, clocks in the UK go back one hour on 25 October 2026. At 2:00 a.m. British Summer Time, clocks return to 1:00 a.m. Greenwich Mean Time.

The change ends British Summer Time and moves the UK back to GMT for the winter period. The timeanddate UK clock-change guide confirms that sunrise and sunset will occur approximately one hour earlier according to the clock than they did before the change.

The United States follows a different schedule. The National Institute of Standards and Technology's daylight saving time guidance states that daylight saving time ends on 1 November 2026 at 2:00 a.m. local time in areas observing it. The clock moves back to 1:00 a.m.

Not every US location observes daylight saving time. Hawaii and most of Arizona remain on standard time throughout the year, as described in the NIST guidance.

India follows a simpler schedule for this period. Timeanddate's India clock-change information confirms that India observes IST throughout 2026 without daylight saving time.

These differences matter whenever people schedule activities across borders. A meeting time that works between London and Mumbai before 25 October may require a different conversion afterward, even though neither participant changes their working hours.

Why the October and November Clock Changes Matter

The clock changes affect how people coordinate activities, especially when their schedules depend on another country's local time.

For a person living in London, the UK clock change takes place first. For someone in New York, the US clock change follows one week later. During the period between those dates, the time difference between the two cities changes by one hour.

This can affect remote meetings, online classes, customer support shifts and international appointments. A calendar event may adjust automatically if it is stored with the correct time zone, but a manually written time in a message or spreadsheet may not.

The clock change also affects the relationship between daylight and the displayed time. When clocks go back, mornings become lighter by the clock, while darkness arrives earlier in the evening. It does not create additional daylight; it changes how daylight aligns with the time displayed.

For travellers, this means checking local arrival and departure times rather than relying on assumptions about the difference between home and destination. For households, it is a useful opportunity to check alarms, heating schedules, timers and other devices that may not update automatically.

Who Needs to Prepare in the US, UK and India?

The effects depend on where you live and whether your plans involve another time zone.

In the United States, households should confirm whether their state or destination observes daylight saving time. Most locations change clocks on 1 November, but Hawaii and most of Arizona do not. Travellers moving between states should therefore check the local time rather than assume every US location follows the same schedule.

In the United Kingdom, residents should check appointments and recurring activities before the change on 25 October. Anyone working with clients in North America should also note that the US clock change happens a week later, creating a temporary change in the time difference between the countries.

In India, there is no clock adjustment to make. However, Indian professionals working with UK or US teams may need to revise their meeting conversions. Once the UK changes its clocks, the time difference between India and the UK increases by one hour. When most of the US changes clocks on 1 November, the time difference between India and US locations observing daylight saving time also increases by one hour.

These are changes in the time difference, not changes to India's clock. India remains on IST, which is UTC+5:30.

Anyone managing international appointments should record the location and time zone explicitly. A statement such as "10:00 a.m. London time" is less ambiguous than simply writing "10:00 a.m." in a message that might be read in another country.

Six Practical Steps to Prepare for Daylight Saving Time 2026

A short checklist can help prevent missed appointments and incorrect schedules.

1. Confirm the relevant date. If you are in the UK, check the 25 October change. If you are in most US locations observing daylight saving time, check 1 November. Do not assume that another country changes clocks on the same weekend.

2. Check automatic time settings. On Windows, open Settings, select Time & language, then Date & time. Microsoft's official time-setting instructions explain how to enable automatic time and time-zone settings and how daylight saving adjustment works.

3. Review your phone settings. Apple explains in its official device time guidance how to enable automatic date and time on supported iPhones, iPads and Macs. Check that the device is connected to the internet and has current software when appropriate.

4. Review calendar appointments. Check important meetings, flights, online classes and medical appointments. Confirm that recurring events use the intended time zone, especially when they involve people in countries changing clocks on different dates.

5. Check manual clocks and timers. Review wall clocks, older appliances, vehicle clocks and other devices that may not receive automatic time updates. Make adjustments according to the manufacturer's instructions.

6. Recheck international schedules. If you coordinate with teams in several countries, confirm meeting times after each clock change. Send the time with its location or time-zone abbreviation to reduce confusion.

A Simple Checklist for International Remote Workers

Use this checklist before the UK change and again before the US change.

• Identify the location and time zone for every recurring meeting.
• Confirm whether the participants' locations observe daylight saving time.
• Review calendar entries that were created in a fixed local time.
• Check alarms, manual clocks and devices that do not update automatically.
• Confirm important appointments after the clock change.
• Communicate any temporary changes in working hours to colleagues and customers.

This process is especially useful for teams that schedule meetings weeks in advance. It helps avoid confusion without requiring everyone to memorise every country's clock-change rules.

Common Daylight Saving Time Mistakes to Avoid

Most clock-change problems come from assuming that every device, calendar or country follows the same schedule.

• Assuming all US states change clocks. Hawaii and most of Arizona do not observe daylight saving time.
• Changing clocks on the wrong date. The UK changes on 25 October 2026, while most US locations observing daylight saving time change on 1 November.
• Manually changing a phone that already updates automatically. Unnecessary manual adjustments can create an incorrect time.
• Ignoring the time zone in calendar invitations. A time written without a location can be misinterpreted after the clock change.
• Forgetting older devices. Some clocks, appliances and timers may require manual adjustment.

Our Take

The easiest way to manage daylight saving time is to treat it as a scheduling check rather than a complicated household task. Confirm the relevant date, keep supported devices set to automatic time, and review appointments involving other countries. India does not change clocks during this period, but people coordinating with UK and US teams should still update their time conversions after each transition.

What to Check Before the Next Clock Change

The next date to remember is Sunday, 25 October 2026, when UK clocks go back one hour. The following weekend, on Sunday, 1 November, most US locations observing daylight saving time will make the same adjustment.

Check important schedules before each date, especially if you work internationally or have appointments that depend on local time. If a calendar invitation includes a time zone, verify that it displays correctly on your device after the change.

The UK government's clock-change calendar provides official UK dates, while the NIST daylight saving time guide explains the US schedule and exceptions.

For everyday planning, the LexoraTools online tools directory provides free utilities for a range of tasks. For clock changes specifically, however, the most important step is checking your device settings and confirming the local time zone of each appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do UK clocks go back in 2026?

UK clocks go back on Sunday, 25 October 2026. At 2:00 a.m. British Summer Time, clocks return to 1:00 a.m. Greenwich Mean Time. This ends British Summer Time and moves the UK back to GMT. Check the official GOV.UK calendar for the confirmed dates.

When do US clocks go back in 2026?

In most US locations observing daylight saving time, clocks go back on Sunday, 1 November 2026, at 2:00 a.m. local time. The clock returns to 1:00 a.m. Hawaii and most of Arizona do not observe daylight saving time, so their clocks do not change on that date.

Does India change its clocks for daylight saving time?

No. India observes India Standard Time throughout the year and does not change its clocks for daylight saving time in 2026. However, the time difference between India and countries such as the UK and the US changes when those countries move between daylight saving time and standard time.

Will my phone change the time automatically?

Supported phones can update their time and time zone automatically when the appropriate settings are enabled. Apple recommends checking Date & Time settings and ensuring that the device is connected to the internet. If the displayed time remains incorrect, consult the manufacturer's official troubleshooting instructions.

How do clock changes affect international meetings?

Clock changes alter the time difference between countries that change clocks on different dates. A meeting scheduled at the same local time may appear at a different time for participants elsewhere. Include the relevant time zone in invitations and verify recurring meetings after each country's clock change.