Clock Change Countdown
Find out when the clocks go forward or back
Clocks go BACK
Sunday, 25 October 2026
Then clocks go forward on Sunday, 28 March 2027 (UK)
On this date, clocks move back 1 hour at 2:00am
How it works
Daylight Saving Time (DST) shifts clocks forward by one hour in spring and back by one hour in autumn. The idea, first widely adopted during the First World War, was to make better use of natural daylight — moving an hour of sunlight from early morning to the evening so people use less artificial lighting and can enjoy lighter evenings after work. Many countries still observe DST today, though the practice remains controversial.
Clock change dates are not the same everywhere. In the UK and EU, clocks go forward on the last Sunday in March and back on the last Sunday in October. The United States follows a different schedule: clocks spring forward on the second Sunday in March and fall back on the first Sunday in November. This page calculates those dates dynamically for each year — no hardcoded calendar entries — so the countdown always points to the correct upcoming change for your selected region.
Whether DST should continue is actively debated. The European Parliament voted in 2019 to abolish seasonal clock changes, but implementation has been delayed and most EU member states still observe DST as of 2026. In the US, the Sunshine Protection Act — which would make daylight saving time permanent — has been discussed in Congress but has not become federal law. Some US states and countries worldwide have already opted out of DST entirely.
Frequently asked questions
When do the clocks go forward in the UK?
In the UK, clocks go forward one hour to British Summer Time (BST) on the last Sunday in March, at 1:00am. At that moment, 1:00am becomes 2:00am. The exact date changes each year depending on which Sunday falls last in March — use the countdown above for the precise date and live timer.
When do the clocks go back in the UK?
UK clocks go back one hour to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) on the last Sunday in October, at 2:00am. At that moment, 2:00am becomes 1:00am, giving you an extra hour in bed. The date varies slightly by year; the countdown above shows the next occurrence.
Do the US and UK change clocks on the same date?
No. The UK and EU change clocks on the last Sunday in March and the last Sunday in October. The United States uses different dates: the second Sunday in March (spring forward) and the first Sunday in November (fall back). That means US and UK clock changes are often a week or more apart. Select your region in the toggle above to see the correct dates.
Which countries don't observe Daylight Saving Time?
Many countries near the equator do not use DST because daylight length barely changes through the year. Japan, India, China, and most of Africa do not observe it. Within the US, Arizona (except the Navajo Nation) and Hawaii stay on standard time year-round. Russia abolished seasonal clock changes in 2014. Turkey also keeps a fixed offset year-round.
Why do we change the clocks?
Clocks are changed to shift an hour of daylight from the morning to the evening during the longer days of summer. Proponents argue this saves energy, reduces road accidents in lighter evenings, and boosts outdoor leisure and retail. Critics point to disrupted sleep, health effects, and questionable energy savings in the modern era. The original motivation was wartime fuel conservation.
Is the UK going to stop changing the clocks?
There is no confirmed plan to end clock changes in the UK as of 2026. The EU voted to abolish seasonal changes, which prompted UK debate, but Brexit means the UK sets its own policy independently. Any change would require legislation and coordination with neighbouring countries — especially Ireland, which shares a land border with Northern Ireland.