Daylight saving time in the United States ended on November 5, 2024

On the first Sunday in November each year, clocks in most of the United States move back one hour at 2 a.m. local time. In 2024, that was November 5. If you live in a state that observes daylight saving time, your clocks went back, and you gained an hour of sleep that night — or you were supposed to, anyway.

Daylight saving time began on March 10, 2024, when clocks moved forward one hour. That shift happens on the second Sunday in March every year. Between March and November, most Americans lived on daylight saving time, also called summer time or EDT (Eastern Daylight Time, or the daylight equivalent of your zone).

Not every state follows this schedule. Hawaii and most of Arizona do not observe daylight saving time at all. Parts of Indiana, Michigan, and a few other states have their own rules. If you live in one of those places, your clocks did not change in March or November.

Key Takeaways

  • Daylight saving time ended on November 5, 2024, when clocks moved back one hour at 2 a.m.
  • The time change happens on the second Sunday in March (spring forward) and the first Sunday in November (fall back) in most U.S. states.
  • Hawaii, most of Arizona, and parts of a few other states do not observe daylight saving time and did not change their clocks.
  • The next daylight saving time change will be March 9, 2025, when clocks move forward one hour.

Why the United States changes the clocks

Daylight saving time was introduced during World War I to conserve fuel, and the practice has continued on and off since then. The current federal law, the Uniform Time Act of 1966, allows states to stay on standard time year-round but requires that if they observe daylight saving time, they must follow the federal schedule — the second Sunday in March and the first Sunday in November.

The stated reason is to make better use of daylight hours during the warmer months. In practice, the energy savings are small or nonexistent. Studies have found that daylight saving time does not significantly reduce electricity use, and in some cases it increases it because people use air conditioning more in the evening when it stays light later.

Many people report that the time change disrupts their sleep and daily routine. Some research suggests that the spring forward change (losing an hour) is associated with a temporary increase in heart attacks and car accidents in the days immediately after the shift.

Which states do not change their clocks

Hawaii and most of Arizona have opted out of daylight saving time entirely. They stay on standard time year-round. Indiana, Michigan, Florida, Washington, and a handful of other states have passed laws or resolutions asking Congress to let them stay on daylight saving time permanently, but federal law does not currently allow that. Some of these states have parts that observe daylight saving time and parts that do not, which can create confusion for people who live or work near the border.

If you are unsure whether your state observes daylight saving time, check your phone or computer — they usually update automatically. You can also search your state's name plus "daylight saving time" to find the official rule.

How to adjust after the time change

When clocks fall back in November, you gain an hour, which sounds pleasant but can still throw off your sleep schedule. Your body's internal clock does not shift as quickly as your wall clock does. Most people adjust within a few days to a week.

If you find the change disruptive, you can ease into it by shifting your sleep schedule gradually in the days before the change. Go to bed 15 minutes earlier each night for a few nights leading up to November 5, and wake up 15 minutes earlier too. This gives your body a gentler transition than a sudden one-hour shift.

The spring forward change in March is generally harder on people because you lose an hour of sleep. The same gradual approach works: go to bed 15 minutes earlier for a few nights before the change.

Devices that update automatically and those that do not

Most smartphones, computers, and tablets update their clocks automatically when daylight saving time changes. Your phone's operating system (iOS, Android, Windows) handles this in the background, usually within a few minutes of 2 a.m. on the change date.

Devices that do not connect to the internet — older alarm clocks, car clocks, microwave displays, and some smartwatches — do not update automatically. You have to change these by hand. Some car infotainment systems update automatically if they are connected to your phone or to a cellular network, but many do not. Check your device's manual if you are unsure.

If you have a smart home system (like Alexa, Google Home, or Apple HomeKit), the hub usually updates automatically, and devices connected to it should follow. But it is worth checking a few devices the morning after the change to make sure they shifted correctly.

The difference between daylight saving time and standard time

Standard time is the time that does not change. In the Eastern time zone, standard time is EST (Eastern Standard Time), which is UTC minus 5 hours. Daylight saving time in the Eastern zone is EDT (Eastern Daylight Time), which is UTC minus 4 hours — one hour ahead.

When people say "we spring forward" in March, they mean clocks move ahead one hour, so 2 a.m. becomes 3 a.m. When they say "we fall back" in November, clocks move back one hour, so 2 a.m. becomes 1 a.m. The mnemonic "spring forward, fall back" helps people remember which direction the clocks move.

The practical effect is that in summer (daylight saving time), the sun rises and sets later in the day. In winter (standard time), the sun rises and sets earlier. This is why summer evenings stay light until 8 or 9 p.m., while winter evenings are dark by 5 p.m.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to change my clocks manually?

Most phones and computers update automatically. Older devices like wall clocks, car clocks, and some smartwatches need to be changed by hand. Check your device the morning after the change to see if it updated on its own.

What time does the clock change happen?

Clocks change at 2 a.m. local time on the change date. In November, 2 a.m. becomes 1 a.m., so you gain an hour. In March, 2 a.m. becomes 3 a.m., so you lose an hour. Most people are asleep and do not notice the exact moment.

Why does my body feel off after the time change?

Your circadian rhythm — your body's internal clock — does not shift instantly when the wall clock changes. It takes a few days to a week for your sleep-wake cycle to adjust to the new time. This is especially noticeable in March when you lose an hour of sleep.

Will daylight saving time ever go away?

There is ongoing debate about whether the United States should keep daylight saving time, switch to permanent standard time, or let each state decide. Congress would have to pass new legislation to change the current system. For now, most states follow the federal schedule set by the Uniform Time Act of 1966.

What if I live near a state border and the times are different?

If you live in a state that observes daylight saving time and work in a state that does not (or vice versa), your clocks will be one hour apart during the daylight saving time period. This can be confusing for scheduling. Check both states' rules before scheduling meetings or calls across the border.